Press Releases
Lee Statement on January Jobs Report
Contact Kristal DeKleer (202) 225-1882 Washington, D.C. - Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) issued the following response to the figures released by the Department of Labor showing a continuing decline in unemployment rates: "I am encouraged by the falling unemployment report, showing a gain of 243,000 jobs in January. While the national unemployment rate remains high at 8.3%, it is the fifth straight monthly decline. "Now more than ever we must focus our efforts at … Continue Reading
February 02, 2012
Statement in Honor of Black History Month
Contact: Kristal DeKleer (202) 225-1882 Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) issued the following statement to commemorate Black History Month: "The celebration of Black History Month has grown from a week established by Dr. Carter Woodson in 1926, to a month-long opportunity to reflect on the many contributions African Americans have made and to recognize the important role African Americans hold in every facet of American life. Black History Month honors the … Continue Reading
February 02, 2012
Oakland Fire Department Selected to Receive DHS Grant
Contact Kristal DeKleer (202) 225-1882 OAKLAND - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-09) announced today that the Oakland Fire Department has been selected to receive a grant award through the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program. The department will receive $471,249 through the DHS grant program for operations and safety. The grant program is intended to provide additional funding to allow fire departments throughout the nation address emergency … Continue Reading
February 02, 2012
Barbara Lee Responds to Susan G. Komen Decision to Cease Grants to Planned Parenthood Health Centers
Contact: Kristal DeKleer (202) 225-1882 Washington, DC- Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-09) released the following statement in response to the Susan G. Komen Foundation's decision to bar Planned Parenthood from receiving grants: "Yesterday, the women legislators of the California Democratic Congressional Delegation came together to express concernand displeasure over Susan G. Komen's decision to end grants to Planned Parenthood health centers. Caving to a Congressional right-wing … Continue Reading
January 26, 2012
Lee: National Strength Tied to Economic Strength
Contact Kristal DeKleer (202) 225-1882 Members join Lee in penning letter to President asking for restraint on military spending Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) issued the following statement in response to the Pentagon's preview of the 2013 budget request: "Today the Pentagon previewed a plan to reduce military spending by $6 billion in the 2013 budget request. I am optimistic that current efforts to address runaway defense spending are headed in the right … Continue Reading
January 24, 2012
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Responds to President's Blueprint for America
Contact: Kristal DeKleer (202) 225-1882 Washington, D.C.- Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) issued the following statement in response to the President's State of the Union address: "I applaud President Obama for putting forth a blueprint for an America that is built to last. Americans are looking for a serious, long-term strategy that will revive the economy, put people to work, and assure a prosperous and healthy future for our children. "This is a make or break moment … Continue Reading
January 13, 2012
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Statement in Observance of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
Contact Ricci Graham - (510) 305-2954 Oakland- Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) released the following statement today in honor and remembrance of the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and on the occasion of the 26th anniversary of the holiday that celebrates his birth: "This weekend we commemorate Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., a man who taught us that violence is never the answer and that we can start working as peacemakers in our communities. It is my hope that … Continue Reading
January 12, 2012
Lee Statement on 2 Year Anniversary of Haiti Earthquake
Contact: Ricci Graham (510) 305-2954 "Today my thoughts and prayers are with the families of the hundreds of thousands of Haitians who perished in the terrible earthquake on January 12, 2010. I express my condolences and solidarity with the people of Haiti as they continue to emerge from the aftermath of disaster. "Two years later, more than six hundred thousand Haitians are still without permanent homes and the country remains imperiled by the threat of cholera. More than $2.38 … Continue Reading
January 09, 2012
Lee Applauds White House Summer Jobs+ Program
Contact Kristal DeKleer (202) 225-1882 Washington, D.C. - Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) issued the following statement on President Obama's announcement of the Summer Jobs+ program, a joint initiative that challenges business leaders and communities to provide summer jobs for America's youth: "As a longtime advocate for summer jobs and employment opportunities for our youth, I applaud the White House for launching Summer Jobs+. This initiative is a call to action for … Continue Reading
January 06, 2012
Lee Statement on December Jobs Report
Contact Kristal DeKleer (202) 225-1882 Washington, D.C. - Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) issued the following response to the figures released by the Department of Labor showing a slight decline in unemployment rates: "Today's report shows that the unemployment rate continues to slowly trend downward. After gaining just 200,000 new jobs in December, the national unemployment rate remains distressingly high at 8.5%. We must target investment and focus our efforts at rapidly … Continue Reading
January 06, 2012
The City of Oakland to be Awarded FEMA Grant
For Immediate Release Contact: Ricci Graham 510-763-0370 OAKLAND - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-09) announced today that the City of Oakland has been selected to receive nearly $800,000 in Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) funding for the purchase of an additional fire truck for the Oakland Fire Department. The City of Oakland will receive $789,360 through the FEMA Assistance Firefighters Grant Program, which provides special funding to enhance the ability of fire … Continue Reading
December 28, 2011
Lee Comments on the Passing of Sanjiv Handa
Contact: Ricci Graham 510-763-0370 Oakland - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-09) released the following statement upon learning of the passing of Oakland activist Sanjiv Handa: "I am saddened to learn of the passing of Mr. Handa, who spent many years of his life attending every meeting at Oakland City Hall in the spirit of challenging the status quo and the city's leadership to do what they could to best serve the residents of Oakland. "Mr. Handa was a fixture in the community, known … Continue Reading
December 23, 2011
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Statement on the Agreement to Extend Payroll Tax Cut and Unemployment Benefits
Contact Kristal DeKleer (202) 225-1882 Washington, D.C. - Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) issued the following statement after Congressional approval of a two-month extension of the payroll tax cut and unemployment benefits: "Today's agreement allows 160 million American workers to keep their payroll tax cut, prevents 48 million seniors from losing access to their doctors, and provides unemployment benefits to millions of American workers who are currently out of a job. I … Continue Reading
December 20, 2011
Lee Calls Out Republican Roadblocks and Distractions to Payroll Tax Cut and Extension of Unemployment Benefits
Contact Kristal DeKleer (202) 225-1882 Washington, D.C. - Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) issued the following statement after a series of Republican procedural votes to block passage of H.R. 3630, the Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2011: "I strongly support a plan to extend the payroll tax cut, which would prevent a tax increase directed at 160 million American workers. I strongly support an extension of unemployment benefits for the 13.3 million jobless … Continue Reading
December 16, 2011
Lee Applauds DoE Decision that California Receive Race to the Top Early Learning Challenge Funds
Contact Kristal DeKleer (202) 225-1882 Washington, D.C.- Congresswoman Barbara Lee released the following statement following today's announcement that the State of California will be one of nine states to receive Race to the Top - Early Learning Challenge funds from the Departments of Education and Health and Human Services: "I am very pleased to see this important funding for education be awarded to California. Making sure that all of our children - especially those from low-income … Continue Reading
December 16, 2011
Lee Votes Against 2012 Funding Bill
Contact Kristal DeKleer (202) 225-1882 Partisan policy riders a gift to extreme Republican base Washington, D.C. - Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) issued the following statement after voting against the Conference Report on H.R. 2055, the Consolidated Appropriations Act: "While the $1 trillion spending bill for 2012 is necessary to make our government function, the insertion of dangerous and short-sighted special interest riders meant to appease Republican Tea Party … Continue Reading
December 13, 2011
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Joins in Introduction of the Restore the American Dream for the 99% Act
Contact: Kristal DeKleer (202) 225-1882 Washington, D.C.- Today Congresswoman Barbara Lee joined fellow members of the Congressional Progressive Caucus at a press conference marking the introduction of the Restore the American Dream for the 99% Act. (Summary of bill) "The Progressive Caucus has again put forward a bill to create an America that we can believe in again. If enacted, the RESTORE the American Dream Act would balance our budget and invest in our nation's future by creating … Continue Reading
December 12, 2011
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Attends Final Meeting of Global Commission on HIV and the Law
Contact: Kristal DeKleer (202) 225-1882 Washington, D.C.- Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) participated in the final meeting of Global Commission on HIV and the Law in Geneva, Switzerland, with the world's policy, human rights, and HIV leaders to discuss the health and human rights of people living with and affected by HIV and AIDS. "The effectiveness of the global HIV response will depend not just on the scale up of HIV prevention, treatment and care, but on whether the legal … Continue Reading
December 09, 2011
Oakland Unified School District to Receive HHS Grant to Expand School-Based Health Centers
For Immediate Release Contact: Ricci Graham 510-763-0370 Washington D.C. - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-09) announced today that the Oakland Unified School District (OUSD) has been selected to receive a $423,098 grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to help fund the district's school-based health centers. OUSD is planning to expand services provided by its school-based health centers, with the goal of increasing the district's ability to service … Continue Reading
December 07, 2011
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Urges President Obama to Expedite Troop Withdrawal from Afghanistan
For Immediate Release Contact Kristal DeKleer (202) 225-1882 Bi-partisan letter to Obama: No military solution in Afghanistan, bring troops home Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) and Congressman Walter Jones (R-NC) were joined by 40 Members of the House of Representatives in sending a letter to President Obama urging him to speed up the return of all U.S. troops from Afghanistan. "We are calling on President Obama to recognize that there is no … Continue Reading