Press Releases
Congresswoman Lee Statement on the Immigration Case of Shaima Swileh
December 17, 2018Oakland, CA - Congresswoman Barbara Lee released the following statement regarding the immigration case of Shaima Swileh: "As a mother myself, I am stunned by the cruelty of barring a mother from reuniting with her sick child. The case of Shaima Swileh shows clearly the damage wreaked on families across this country by the Trump administration's un-American travel ban. I am committed to doing all I can to fight it and to restore decency and humanity to our nation's immigration laws. I have writ… Continue Reading
Congresswoman Lee Statement on Maria Mendoza-Sanchez’s Return to Oakland
December 15, 2018Washington, DC - Congresswoman Barbara Lee released the following statement in response to Maria Mendoza-Sanchez's arrival back in the United States: "I am thrilled that Maria Mendoza-Sanchez has finally been reunited with her family. Maria's unjust deportation was a loss for her family, loved ones and our entire East Bay community. I couldn't be happier that Maria has been able to return home in time for the holidays. Our immigrant neighbors are a part of what makes our East Bay community … Continue Reading
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Introduces Landmark Women in STEAM Bill
December 14, 2018Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Barbara Lee released the following statement on her introduction of the Ronald V. Dellums Memorial Fellowship for Women of Color in STEAM and National Security Act, H.R. 7307: "I am pleased to introduce the Ronald V. Dellums Memorial Fellowship for Women of Color in STEAM and National Security Act, which will help open opportunities for women of color in the STEAM and national security sectors. Under this bill, 30 women would receive the Ronald V. Dellums Fellow… Continue Reading
Congresswoman Barbara Lee: “We Must Turn the Tide of the Housing Crisis”
December 11, 2018Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Barbara Lee released the following statement on the introduction of the American Housing and Economic Mobility Act, which Senator Elizabeth Warren introduced in the Senate. Congresswoman Lee is an original cosponsor of the bill in the House. "The cost of housing keeps skyrocketing for working families. In my community, hardworking residents are being pushed out of the neighborhoods they've lived in their entire lives - and far too many families are ending up on … Continue Reading
Congressmembers Introduce Reproductive Rights Are Human Rights Act on Human Rights Day
December 10, 2018WASHINGTON, D.C.- Today, on International Human Rights Day and the 70th anniversary of the signing of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Democratic Caucus Vice Chair Rep. Katherine Clark, Ranking Member Nita Lowey, Ranking Member Eliot Engel, Rep. Barbara Lee, and Rep. Lois Frankel introduced the Reproductive Rights are Human Rights Act. The bill would require the U.S. State Department to include reproductive rights in its annual human rights report after the State Department deleted all… Continue Reading
Congresswoman Barbara Lee’s Statement on the Passing of Bay Area Radio Host Ray Taliaferro
December 03, 2018Oakland, CA -- Congresswoman Barbara Lee released the following statement remembering the life and legacy of legendary Bay Area radio host and civil rights advocate Ray Taliaferro: "I am deeply saddened to learn of the passing of my friend, Ray Taliaferro. "Ray was a pioneering journalist who used his platform to shine a light on issues impacting vulnerable and underrepresented communities, especially the African American community. He spoke truth to power both as a journalist and as a civil… Continue Reading
Pelosi Announces Co-Chairs of Steering and Policy Committee
November 30, 2018Washington, D.C. - Speaker-designate Nancy Pelosi announced today that she will recommend Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro of Connecticut, Congressman Eric Swalwell of California and Congresswoman Barbara Lee of California to serve as the three Co-Chairs of the Steering and Policy Committee. "The leaders and members of the Steering and Policy Committee reflect the diversity, dynamism and integrity of our historic new House Democratic Majority," said Speaker-designate Nancy Pelosi. "Guided by the bol… Continue Reading
Congresswoman Lee Statement on the Citizenship and Immigration Services’ Approval of an H-1B Visa Waiver for Maria Mendoza-Sanchez
November 30, 2018Oakland, CA - Congresswoman Barbara Lee released the following statement in response to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services' approval of a waiver for Maria Mendoza-Sanchez: "I am thrilled that Maria Mendoza-Sanchez will be reunited with her family in Oakland. Maria is an integral part of our community and her unjust deportation was a loss for the entire East Bay. Her case is a stark example of the damage that the Trump administration's inhumane zero-tolerance policy has wreaked on fam… Continue Reading
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Marks the 30th World AIDS Day
November 30, 2018Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Barbara Lee, co-founder and co-chair of the bipartisan Congressional HIV/AIDS Caucus, released the following statement celebrating the reauthorization of PEPFAR and marking December 1st as World AIDS Day. "This year, as we mark the 30th World AIDS Day, I am reflecting on the progress we've made and recommitting to the work that remains. Because of programs like PEPFAR, the Global Fund, and the Ryan White Program, we have saved over 17 million lives from AIDS. We… Continue Reading
Statement from Congresswoman Barbara Lee on Caucus Chair Election
November 28, 2018Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Barbara Lee released the following statement on the House Democratic Caucus Chair election: "I want to congratulate Congressman Hakeem Jeffries on a hard-fought race. I look forward to working with him to advance a progressive, inclusive agenda for the American people. "While I didn't win today, I hope my candidacy will inspire other women, and women of color in particular, to run for elected office and seek leadership positions. Our Caucus can only succeed whe… Continue Reading
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Welcomes Latest Endorsements for Caucus Chair
November 27, 2018Washington, D.C. - Today, several prominent congressional leaders released endorsements of Congresswoman Barbara Lee in her bid for Democratic Caucus Chair. Former Congressional Black Caucus Chairs Congressman G.K. Butterfield, Congresswoman Marcia Fudge, and Congressman Emmanuel Cleaver announced their support for Congresswoman Lee as Caucus Chair. Their full letter is available here and an excerpt is below: "From voting rights and criminal justice reform, to access to high-quality education … Continue Reading
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Announces Latest Endorsements for Caucus Chair
November 26, 2018Washington, D.C. - Today, several prominent congressional leaders released letters endorsing Congresswoman Barbara Lee in her bid for Democratic Caucus Chair. Below are excerpts from the endorsements: Congressman Raúl Grijalva, Ranking Member of the Committee on Natural Resources, issued a letter of support for Congresswoman Lee. His full letter is available here and an excerpt is below: "This Congress will be the most the most diverse in our nation's history -- our leadership should be… Continue Reading
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Announces Latest Endorsements for Caucus Chair
November 20, 2018Washington, D.C. - In July, Congresswoman Barbara Lee announced her bid for Democratic Caucus Chair. Below are several of the latest endorsements of her candidacy. Congressman Joaquín Castro stated in his endorsement: "Congresswoman Lee has a passion for bringing diverse perspectives to the table, and a skill for finding common ground. As Caucus chair, I have no doubt she would bring fresh ideas and a unifying vision and I'm proud to support her bid for this important leadership role." … Continue Reading
CPC: We Cannot Turn a Blind Eye to Massive Pentagon Waste
November 20, 2018WASHINGTON, DC-Following news that the Pentagon failed its first ever agency-wide audit, Rep. Raúl M. Grijalva (D-AZ) and Rep. Mark Pocan (D-WI), Co-Chairs of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, and Rep. Barbara Lee (D-CA), CPC Peace and Security Task Force Chair, issued the following statement: "It has been nearly 30 years since Congress passed the Chief Financial Officers Act of 1990, which requiresan audit of every agency. The results of the Pentagon audit may not be surprising, bu… Continue Reading
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Welcomes Endorsements for Caucus Chair
November 19, 2018Washington, D.C. - In July, Congresswoman Barbara Lee announced her bid for Democratic Caucus Chair. Below are several recent endorsements of her candidacy. NARAL Pro-Choice America President Ilyse Hogue issued the following statement on the organization's endorsement of Barbara Lee for Democratic Caucus Chair: "Congresswoman Barbara Lee is a fierce, tireless, and highly effective champion for women and families. At a time when our most fundamental rights and freedoms are under attack daily fr… Continue Reading
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Receives Legacy Award from Black Girls Vote
November 16, 2018Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Barbara Lee released the following statement after receiving the Legacy Award from Black Girls Vote, in recognition of her work to empower and uplift black women and girls: "I am deeply honored to receive the Legacy Award this evening. Black Girls Vote has played a vital role in engaging women of color in our democracy. This month we're celebrating the 50th anniversary of Congresswoman Shirley Chisholm's historic election to Congress as the first African Americ… Continue Reading
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Welcomes Endorsement from Congressman John Lewis
November 16, 2018Washington, D.C. - Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee welcomed the endorsement from Congressman John Lewis in her race for Democratic Caucus Chair. "Congressman John Lewis is the conscious of the Congress and a living civil rights legend. I am incredibly grateful for his leadership and his endorsement for Chair of the Democratic Caucus," said Congresswoman Barbara Lee. "Rep. Barbara Lee has been a tireless fighter for justice, civil rights, and equality and an outspoken advocate for the most vul… Continue Reading
Rep. Barbara Lee Releases Statement on the Ongoing California Wildfires
November 16, 2018Oakland, CA -- Congresswoman Barbara Lee released the following statement on the ongoing fires in Butte, Los Angeles, and Ventura Counties: "My heart is with the victims of the devastating fires in Butte, Los Angeles, and Ventura counties, the first responders on the frontlines, and the volunteers who have so selflessly pitched in to aid the ongoing rescue and recovery efforts. Congress and the federal government must do everything in our power to support the impacted communities in the recover… Continue Reading
Congresswoman Lee Commemorates Veterans Day
November 11, 2018Oakland, CA - Congresswoman Barbara Lee, a member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Veterans Affairs, offered the following statement marking Veterans Day: "On Veterans Day, we pause to honor the brave men and women who've served and sacrificed for the nation that we love. As the daughter of a veteran and a member of Congress, I'm committed to ensuring that we keep our promises to our veterans and military families who have served selflessly and answered out nation's call of duty. … Continue Reading
DeGette, Lee and Lowey Condemn Trump Administration’s Post-Election Attacks on Women’s Health
November 09, 2018Washington, DC - Congressional Pro-Choice Caucus Co-Chairs Diana DeGette (D-CO) and Barbara Lee (D-CA), along with Congresswoman Nita Lowey (D-NY), condemned the Trump Administration's latest attempts to push through anti-choice actions that will further limit women's access to abortion and birth control. On Wednesday, the Department of Health and Human Services finalized two rules that would allow employers to opt out of the Affordable Care Act's birth control mandate. In addition, the Centers… Continue Reading