{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "is_view": false, "human_description_en": "where chamber = \"House\", party = \"Democrat\" and year = 2006 sorted by date descending", "rows": [["https://lee.house.gov/news/press-releases/barbara-lee-named-to-house-appropriations-committee", "Barbara Lee Named to House Appropriations Committee", "2006-12-12", "2006", "2006-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.12.06\n\t\t\t Barbara Lee Named to House Appropriations Committee \n\t\t\t(Washington, DC) Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) was named to the House Appropriations Committee, which controls the federal purse strings and is widely viewed as one of the most powerful committees in Congress. \"I thank Speaker-elect Pelosi and my colleagues for the opportunity to serve on this important committee. I look forward to working with Chairman Obey and my colleagues on the committee to help set the nation's spending priorities and ensure our spending truly reflects our nation's values. \"I also look forward to working with my fellow Californians on the committee to ensure that our state is getting the federal resources it deserves. \"This committee assignment puts me in a better position than ever to continue to fight for and serve the people of California's 9th Congressional District.\" Lee will be only one of five California Democrats and three Democrats from Northern California on the Appropriations Committee. Subcommittee positions will be decided in January. ### \n\t\n\t \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\n \n\t \t \n\t\t \n\t\t \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://lee.house.gov/news/press-releases/barbara-lees-statement-on-the-passing-of-yvonne-scarlett-golden", "Barbara Lees Statement on the Passing of Yvonne Scarlett-Golden", "2006-12-05", "2006", "2006-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.05.06\n\t\t\t Barbara Lee's Statement on the Passing of Yvonne Scarlett-Golden \n\t\t\t(Washington, DC) Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) released the following statement in response to the news that Daytona Beach Mayor and long-time San Francisco resident, Yvonne Scarlett-Golden died yesterday of cancer at the age of 80: Yvonne Scarlett-Golden was a friend to me and an inspiration to many. As the first African-American Mayor of Daytona Beach, she knew about breaking down barriers, and the fact that she came to politics after a full career as a teacher and school administrator is a testament to her determination to serve. I first met Yvonne when she was the principal of Alamo Park High School in San Francisco in the 1970's. I remember very well attending peace conferences with Yvonne, the late Alameda County Supervisor John George, former Berkeley City Councilmember Maudelle Shirek, and the late Carlton Goodlett, publisher of the Sun Reporter Newspaper, all of whose lives were totally committed to peace and justice. Yvonne was never afraid of controversy, and she was outspoken for what she believed in. We will miss her. Our thoughts and prayers are with her family. ### \n\t\n\t \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\n \n\t \t \n\t\t \n\t\t \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://lee.house.gov/news/press-releases/barbara-lees-statement-on-democratic-forum-on-iraq", "Barbara Lees Statement on Democratic Forum on Iraq", "2006-12-04", "2006", "2006-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.04.06\n\t\t\t Barbara Lee's Statement on Democratic Forum on Iraq \n\t\t\t(Washington, DC) Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) issued the following statement today following a Democratic Caucus forum on Iraq featuring Representative Ike Skelton (D-MO), Ranking Member of the Armed Services Committee; Representative John Murtha, Ranking Member of the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee; Richard Holbrooke, former Ambassador to the United Nations; Major General John Batiste, USA (ret.), former Commander of the First Infantry Division in Iraq; and Jessica Tuchman Matthews, President of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace: The American people sent a clear message in November and one of the top priorities of the new Congress must be both finding a way to end to the occupation of Iraq and to bring our troops home and ensuring that nothing like the disaster in Iraq ever happens again. Today's meeting was a signal of intent, a sign that Democrats heard the message that voters sent in November and we will ensure that Congress finally has a real, informed debate on this unnecessary war, and how we can get out. I will be working closely with my colleagues in the Out of Iraq Caucus and the Congressional Progressive Caucus, and I can assure you that the people who opposed this war from the start will be playing a leading role in that debate. While Congress debates how to best, and most quickly end the occupation and bring our troops home, we need to begin with an agreement on the outcome: when our troops come home, they should all come home. There should be no permanent military bases in Iraq. When President Bush refused to rule out permanent bases, as he did in a recent press conference, he fed the widespread perception that the U.S. intends a permanent occupation of Iraq, which is one of the forces that is fueling violence on the ground. It is also not too soon to begin the process of ensuring that the lessons of this failed war are learned. That means oversight and accountability: we must examine how we got into this position the administration's case for war, the use of prewar intelligence, the implementation of the war, everything in order to ensure that our nation NEVER finds itself in this position again. ### \n\t\n\t \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\n \n\t \t \n\t\t \n\t\t \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://lee.house.gov/news/press-releases/barbara-lee-minority-leaders-get-tested-on-world-aids-day-to-highlight-importance-of-knowing-hiv-status", "Barbara Lee, Minority Leaders Get Tested on World AIDS Day to Highlight Importance of Knowing HIV Status", "2006-12-01", "2006", "2006-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.01.06\n\t\t\t Barbara Lee, Minority Leaders Get Tested on World AIDS Day to Highlight Importance of Knowing HIV Status \n\t\t\t(Oakland, CA) As part of the high profile mobilization to stop the spread of HIV/AIDS and to emphasize the importance of regular testing in that fight, Congresswoman Barbara Lee and representatives of the African-American, Latino and Asian-American communities celebrated World AIDS Day by getting tested for HIV at AIDS Project East Bay in Oakland on December 1st. We have to do everything in our power to stop the spread of this disease, and getting tested is one of the simplest things we can do to help stop the spread of HIV/AIDS, said Lee. We have seen this epidemic continue to spread, particularly in the African American community, in part because people don't know that they are infected. According to Centers for Disease Control estimates, approximately one quarter of all the individuals living with HIV/AIDS in the United States more than 250,000 people do not know they are infected. The HIV/AIDS epidemic is devastating the African American community and other minority communities. Today, African-Americans account for nearly 50 percent of all people in the United States living with HIV/AIDS even though they represent about 12 percent of the population. African-American women account for nearly 70 percent of new infections among women, and AIDS is now the leading cause of death for African-American women between the ages of 25-34. Among Asian Pacific Islanders, the rate of new HIV cases increased by an estimated 40 percent between 2001 and 2004. Latinos represent nearly 20 percent of all persons living with HIV/AIDS. The event comes in the immediate wake of new testing recommendations issued by the Centers for Disease Control, and on the heels of the XVI WORLD AIDS Conference in Toronto, where African-American leaders from the United States announced a national call to action to end the AIDS epidemic in black America. The testing was hosted by AIDS Project East Bay and California Prevention and Education Project (CALPEP) in a mobile testing unit provided by CALPEP where free testing was provided to the public throughout the day. In addition to Lee, participants included Assemblymember-elect Sandre Swanson; State Senator Liz Figueroa; Henry Rosales, Spanish Speaking Citizens Foundation; Sherry Hirota, CEO Asian Health Services; David Kakishiba, President, Oakland School Board; Lance Tomo, Executive Director, Asian Pacific Islander Wellness Center; Daniel Toleran, Associate Director of Health Services, Asian American Recovery Program; Gloria Cox Crowell of the Allen Temple AIDS Ministry; Charles Castillo of the Native TANF Program of Alameda County; as well as representatives from the offices of Supervisor Keith Carson, Councilmember Ignatio De La Fuente, Assemblyman Alberto Torrico, La Clinica de la Raza and the San Francisco Foundation In Alameda County over 6,600 cases of AIDS have been diagnosed since 1980, and nearly 4,000 people have died. Of those numbers African Americans represent well over 40 percent of the cumulative AIDS cases and AIDS deaths in the county. In 1998, Lee led efforts to declare a State of Emergency in Alameda County regarding HIV/AIDS in the African American community, which provided additional funding to combat the disease and inspired the creation of a community wide taskforce to ensure that there was a focused response to this epidemic that targeted the African American community. Lee is the Co-Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus Global AIDS Taskforce and in 2005 the House passed her resolution supporting the goals of National Black AIDS Awareness Day. She has introduced legislation aimed at ensuring continuing care and treatment for Gulf Coast residents living with HIV/AIDS who were displaced by hurricanes Katrina and Rita, and later this year she will introduce legislation to allow the distribution of condoms in federal prisons and to develop a strategy to reduce HIV and other STIs in prisons. As the lead author of the Global AIDS and Tuberculosis Relief Act of 2000 and the principal co-author of legislation establishing the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), Congresswoman Barbara Lee's accomplishments in promoting effective, bipartisan measures to stop the spread of HIV/AIDS and bring treatment to those living with HIV/AIDS have earned her international recognition as a leader in the fight against the HIV/AIDS pandemic. ### \n\t\n\t \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\n \n\t \t \n\t\t \n\t\t \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://lee.house.gov/news/press-releases/barbara-lee-responds-to-new-global-aids-treatment-numbers", "Barbara Lee Responds to New Global AIDS Treatment Numbers", "2006-12-01", "2006", "2006-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.01.06\n\t\t\t Barbara Lee Responds to New Global AIDS Treatment Numbers \n\t\t\t\r\n(Oakland, CA) Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland), long recognized as a Congressional leader in the fight against HIV/AIDS, responded to newly released numbers that show that two programs she led efforts in Congress to create are providing antiretroviral therapy to 1.2 million people worldwide. While the numbers show that we have made some advances, our efforts moving forward should be guided by an urgent awareness that the HIV/AIDS epidemic is still spreading faster than we can treat it. According to the World Health Organization 6.8 million people need antiretroviral therapy now. Although WHO's overall treatment statistics will not come out until early next year, the number announced today by the President clearly shows that millions of people who need immediate treatment will not get it. The bottom line is that the rate of progress is just not fast enough. We need to ensure that PEPFAR and the Global Fund have the resources and the ability to rapidly scale up their programs to build health capacity and infrastructure and enroll new patients in treatment programs. We also need to make sure that our efforts to stop the spread of the disease are supporting prevention programs that work, which is why I will be reintroducing legislation to remove the 33 percent abstinence-only-until-marriage earmark, which is undermining our prevention efforts. This morning the President announced that as of the end of September, 1.2 million people were receiving antiretroviral therapy through the combined work of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS Tuberculosis and Malaria and the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR). This number represents an approximate doubling over similar numbers released last year which indicated that at least 641,000 people (after adjusting for double counting) were receiving antiretroviral therapy from the Global Fund and PEPFAR at the end of September 2005. In June 2006 during the UN General Assembly Special Session on HIV/AIDS the World Health Organization announced that overall about 1.6 million people were receiving antiretroviral therapy throughout the world. The WHO is expected to announce a new overall treatment number early next year to reflect the number of people worldwide who were receiving treatment as of December 2006. Lee was a coauthor of the bipartisan legislation that established PEPFAR, which designated $15 billion for the prevention, care, and treatment of HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria. She also co-authored the Global AIDS and Tuberculosis Relief Act of 2000, which established the framework for the Global Fund to Fight HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria. To date, the Global Fund has committed $4.4 billion in 128 countries to support aggressive interventions against HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria. In 2005, she successfully passed legislation to focus U.S. foreign assistance on the impact of AIDS on orphans and vulnerable children in developing countries. ### \n\t\n\t \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\n \n\t \t \n\t\t \n\t\t \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://lee.house.gov/news/press-releases/barbara-lee-lauds-un-move-to-commemorate-end-of-slave-trade", "Barbara Lee Lauds U.N. Move to Commemorate End of Slave Trade", "2006-11-30", "2006", "2006-11", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "11.30.06\n\t\t\t Barbara Lee Lauds U.N. Move to Commemorate End of Slave Trade \n\t\t\t(Oakland, CA) Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) praised the United Nations' unanimous adoption yesterday of a resolution declaring March 25, 2007 a day for global commemoration of the two hundredth anniversary of the end of the trans-Atlantic slave trade. This is an historic and important step for Africans throughout the Diaspora. The massive human and civil rights abuses of the slavery continue to affect and influence us all regardless of race, religion, class, or nationality and it is fitting that we recognize the end of that brutal practice, Lee said on learning of the unanimous passage of the resolution. On Monday, November 27th, Rep. Lee and 24 other Members of Congress sent a letter to the United States embassy to the United Nations stating their support of this historic effort. In 2001, Lee participated in the World Conference against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia, and Related Intolerance in Durban, South Africa. The U.N. resolution, introduced by the Ambassador from St. Vincent and the Grenadines on the behalf of CARICOM, recalled key provisions of the historic Durban Declaration. ### \n\t\n\t \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\n \n\t \t \n\t\t \n\t\t \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://lee.house.gov/news/press-releases/barbara-lee-outlines-bold-agenda-for-fighting-aids-on-the-eve-of-world-aids-day", "Barbara Lee Outlines Bold Agenda for Fighting AIDS on the Eve of World AIDS Day", "2006-11-30", "2006", "2006-11", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "11.30.06\n\t\t\t Barbara Lee Outlines Bold Agenda for Fighting AIDS on the Eve of World AIDS Day \n\t\t\t(Oakland, CA) Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland), long recognized as a Congressional leader in the fight to stop HIV/AIDS, outlined a bold agenda for fighting the global HIV/AIDS pandemic for the incoming Democratic Congress on the eve of World AIDS Day (December 1st): This World AIDS Day, as we once again recognize the challenges that loom ahead of us, we cannot forget the faces that lie behind these statistics. Each of the 4.3 million new infections and the 2.9 million deaths that occurred in 2006 represent real people with families and friends who love them, depend on them, and who mourn their loss. It is for those who have already died of this disease, the millions who live with it, and all those who continue to remain vulnerable that we must follow through on the theme of this year's World AIDS Day, to Stop AIDS. Keep the Promise.' I will work with my colleagues in the new Democratic Congress to ensure that the United States government is an effective partner in the fight to end AIDS. In the United States we must address the critical shortfall in funding for basic prevention, care, and treatment services, and take serious action to stop the growing spread of this disease among minority populations and women. We can start by strengthening and re-authorizing the Ryan White CARE Act early in the 110th Congress, and ensuring that it provides the necessary funding and services to everyone who needs them. We can also ensure that our kids are given the tools to protect themselves by passing the Responsible Education About Life (REAL) Act, legislation I introduced to give states the chance to provide comprehensive sex education in our schools. But we must also begin to take on the structural factors like poverty, homelessness and hunger that continue to put people at risk of infection. One of our first steps must be to pass comprehensive legislation to stop the spread of HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted infections in our prisons. We can no longer to continue to hide our heads in the sand about the fact that HIV is spreading among incarcerated persons. Globally, we have led the charge in expanding access to prevention, care and treatment services with our partners. Our job now is to ensure that those programs are effective, evidence-based, and accountable as we move towards making those services available to all who need them. We must eliminate the ideological barriers to comprehensive prevention services which hinder our ability to respond to local needs. We must pass my bill, the Protection Against Transmission of HIV for Women and Youth (PATHWAY) Act to eliminate the 33% abstinence-only-until-marriage earmark in our global AIDS legislation and to empower women and girls and eliminate the factors that increase their vulnerability to this disease. The latest estimates from UNAIDS are clear: this epidemic continues to grow and it continues to kill. The United States must continue to show leadership and provide the resources to combat this devastating disease. I will be working with the new Democratic majority in the United States Congress to ensure that we are doing our part, so that we can reach the goal of universal access to care and treatment for all people living with HIV/AIDS by 2010. In the upcoming Congress, Lee plans to reintroduce legislation to repeal the abstinence-only-until marriage earmark in federal law and develop a plan to address the vulnerability of women and girls to HIV infection in developing nations (HR 5674, the PATHWAY Act), and to combat the spread of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections in the US correctional system (HR 6083, the JUSTICE Act). Lee's accomplishments in promoting effective, bipartisan measures to stop the spread of HIV/AIDS and bring treatment to the infected have earned her recognition both at home and abroad as a leader in the fight against HIV/AIDS. Lee was a leader in the bipartisan effort to designate $15 billion for the prevention, care, and treatment of HIV/AIDS, TB, and malaria. She authored the bill to establish the framework for the Global Fund to Fight HIV/AIDS and sponsored legislation that allows impoverished countries to purchase generic, cheaper HIV/AIDS drugs. In 2005, she successfully passed and the President signed into law legislation to focus U.S. foreign assistance on the impact of AIDS on orphans and vulnerable children in developing countries. ### \n\t\n\t \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\n \n\t \t \n\t\t \n\t\t \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://lee.house.gov/news/press-releases/barbara-lee-responds-to-report-that-aids-crisis-is-growing", "Barbara Lee Responds to Report that AIDS Crisis is Growing", "2006-11-21", "2006", "2006-11", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "11.21.06\n\t\t\t Barbara Lee Responds to Report that AIDS Crisis is Growing \n\t\t\t(Oakland, CA) Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland), long recognized as a Congressional leader in the fight to stop HIV/AIDS, issued the following statement today in response to the joint report issues by UNAIDS and the World Health Organization that found that the global AIDS crisis continues to grow and evidence that there is a resurgence in HIV infection rates in countries that were previously stable or declining: As World AIDS Day approaches this year and we once again recognize the challenges that loom ahead of us, we cannot forget the faces that lie behind these statistics. Each of the 4.3 million new infections and the 2.9 million deaths that occured in 2006 represent real people with families and friends who love them, depend on them, and who mourn their loss. It is for those who have already died of this disease, the millions who live with it, and all those who continue to remain vulnerable that we must follow through on the theme of this year's World AIDS Day, to Stop AIDS. Keep the Promise.' The latest estimates from UNAIDS are clear: this epidemic continues to grow and it continues to kill. The United States must continue to show leadership and provide the resources to combat this devastating disease. I will be working with the new Democratic majority in the United States Congress to ensure that we are doing our part, so that we can reach the goal of universal access to care and treatment for all people living with HIV/AIDS by 2010. At the same time as we fight this disease on an international scale we cannot forget our own HIV/AIDS epidemic here in the United States, especially among African Americans. In the next Congress, we must dramatically increase funding for the Minority AIDS Initiative to build capacity and conducting targeted outreach in minority communities and we must re-authorize and fully fund the Ryan White CARE Act to provide prevention, care and treatment services for all who need them. In the upcoming Congress, Lee plans to reintroduce legislation to repeal the abstinence-only-until marriage earmark in federal law and develop a plan to address the vulnerability of women and girls to HIV infection in developing nations (HR 5674, the PATHWAY Act), and to combat the spread of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections in the US correctional system (HR 6083, the JUSTICE Act). Lee's accomplishments in promoting effective, bipartisan measures to stop the spread of HIV/AIDS and bring treatment to the infected have earned her recognition both at home and abroad as a leader in the fight against HIV/AIDS. Lee was a leader in the bipartisan effort to designate $15 billion for the prevention, care, and treatment of HIV/AIDS, TB, and malaria. She authored the bill to establish the framework for the Global Fund to Fight HIV/AIDS and sponsored legislation that allows impoverished countries to purchase generic, cheaper HIV/AIDS drugs. In 2005, she successfully passed and the President signed into law legislation to focus U.S. foreign assistance on the impact of AIDS on orphans and vulnerable children in developing countries. ### \n\t\n\t \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\n \n\t \t \n\t\t \n\t\t \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://lee.house.gov/news/press-releases/barbara-lees-statement-on-the-passing-of-ed-bradley", "Barbara Lees Statement on the Passing of Ed Bradley", "2006-11-09", "2006", "2006-11", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "11.09.06\n\t\t\t Barbara Lee's Statement on the Passing of Ed Bradley \n\t\t\t (Oakland, CA) Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland), who had known CBS Sixty Minutes correspondent Ed Bradley since the 70's and last spoke with him in September regarding the Congressional Black Caucus' Annual Legislative Conference, released the following statement today on his passing: I was shocked and saddened to learn of Ed Bradley's passing. Ed was a first rate journalist, and throughout his career he not only set a high standard for his fellow journalists, he also helped to break down barriers in a field that too often has not reflected the true diversity of our nation. Ed was always interested in the role of African Americans in politics, and when we last spoke he shared his interest in the work of the Congressional Black Caucus. I was privileged to know him, and my thoughts and prayers are with his family. ### \n\t\n\t \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\n \n\t \t \n\t\t \n\t\t \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://lee.house.gov/news/press-releases/barbara-lee-election-reflects-call-for-a-new-direction", "Barbara Lee: Election Reflects Call for a New Direction", "2006-11-07", "2006", "2006-11", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "11.07.06\n\t\t\t Barbara Lee: Election Reflects Call for a New Direction \n\t\t\t(Oakland, CA) Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) released the following statement on the results of yesterday's election: After six years of one party rule in Washington, the American people cast a definitive vote against the Bush administration, the war in Iraq and the corrupt Republican Congress, voting to send a strong Democratic majority to the House, and likely changing control of the Senate. It was an emphatic vote for a new direction. Nowhere was public sentiment clearer than in the resounding rejection of the Bush administration's war of choice in Iraq and the stubborn refusal to change their stay the course' policy despite its evident failure. As a cofounder of the Out-of-Iraq Caucus and someone who opposed this war from the start, I have worked with many of my colleagues to change the direction of our Iraq policy and bring our troops home, and I see this election as a vindication of our work. I hope this election will mark a turning point and that other members of Congress will continue to join us in working together as a nation to change the Bush administration's failed policy in Iraq and begin to restore our nation's credibility in the world. We are also bringing back oversight and accountability. This new Democratic Congress will restore a proper constitutional balance of powers between the executive and legislative branches by undertaking the type of oversight that was abandoned over the past six years by the Republican majority. The administration will now have to answer some tough questions on its rush to war, its failed arms control and broader foreign policies, its abuse of our constitutional rights, and its failed economic and budgetary policies. It is important to recognize that this was not just a vote against George Bush and the Republican Congress, it was a vote for a Democratic agenda that is rooted in progressive values. In just the first 100 hours, we will be uniting behind Leader Pelosi to move a legislative agenda designed to address real issues that impact Americans. We have a lot of work to do. Hurricane Katrina was a stark reminder of the failure of our government to address the challenges of inequality and poverty that still confront our nation, and as Co-Chair of the Progressive Caucus and an officer of the Congressional Black Caucus, I believe that helping Katrina survivors return home and rebuild their community and their lives and insisting on a national plan to eradicate poverty are a critical part of restoring America's faith in government and creating a government that works for all Americans, not just the privileged few. ### \n\t\n\t \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\n \n\t \t \n\t\t \n\t\t \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://lee.house.gov/news/press-releases/barbara-lee-responds-to-rumsfeld-resignation", "Barbara Lee Responds to Rumsfeld Resignation", "2006-11-07", "2006", "2006-11", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "11.07.06\n\t\t\t Barbara Lee Responds to Rumsfeld Resignation \n\t\t\t(Oakland, CA) Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland), who has long called for the resignation of Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, issued the following statement on the news today that he is stepping down: The resignation of Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld is long overdue, and I hope his departure brings a significant change in the administration's policy in Iraq. The fact that President Bush has agreed to accept Secretary Rumsfeld's resignation only a week after declaring that he would serve until 2008 is a testament to the American public's emphatic rejection of the Bush administration's failed policy in Iraq. As someone who opposed this unnecessary war from the beginning, I hope that the Bush administration and its new Defense Secretary will join those of us who have been working to change the failed policy in Iraq so that we can bring our troops home and begin to restore our nation's credibility in the world. ### \n\t\n\t \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\n \n\t \t \n\t\t \n\t\t \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://lee.house.gov/news/press-releases/barbara-lee-co-chairs-clean-slate-summit-to-help-formerly-incarcerated-people-put-their-past-behind-them", "Barbara Lee Co-Chairs Clean Slate Summit to Help Formerly Incarcerated People Put Their Past Behind Them", "2006-10-27", "2006", "2006-10", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "10.27.06\n\t\t\t Barbara Lee Co-Chairs Clean Slate Summit to Help Formerly Incarcerated People Put Their Past Behind Them \n\t\t\t(Oakland, CA) Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland), who helped establish the event over a year ago, was on hand for the Second Annual Clean Slate Summit at Laney College in Oakland on Saturday. The Summit is the latest part of an ongoing, collaborative local effort to remove barriers faced by formerly incarcerated people by helping them clear up their criminal records in order to take advantage of employment, education, housing and civic engagement opportunities. When nine out of ten people who go to jail return to our community, we all have a vested interest in making sure that they do so successfully, said Lee. The Clean Slate Summit is an example of how, working together, we can start to remove the barriers that prevent formerly incarcerated individuals from getting work, finding housing and rejoining our community. The Summit offered opportunities for low-income and homeless people in Alameda County who have unresolved legal issues or records. For example, Judges held a special session Dismissal Court to hear the petitions of individuals seeking dismissals of prior convictions and related remedies aimed at cleaning up criminal records. Homeless and extremely low-income people had the opportunity to resolve current non-violent misdemeanor cases by working to obtain stable housing and achieve educational, employment, and health goals. Specialists from various public agencies, including the Department of Social Services and the Department of Motor Vehicles, were onsite to provide services including printouts of current records, information, and referrals. Volunteer attorneys were available to conduct free, confidential, one-on-one legal consultations with individuals who face barriers to employment, education, and benefits because of their criminal records. The event also featured Know Your Rights Workshops, offered throughout the day, to provide information about cleaning up criminal records, housing (including tenants' rights), and other legal matters. The event was sponsored by Congresswoman Lee, Attorney General Bill Lockyer, Alameda County Supervisors Keith Carson and Nate Miley, the Alameda County Superior Court, Alameda County District Attorney's and Public Defender's Offices, All of Us Or None, and the East Bay Community Law Center. Lee helped to organize the first annual event in April of 2005 after meeting with community organizations as part of an effort to examine ways to reduce recidivism by addressing the barriers faced by formerly incarcerated people. Last year's summit at Laney was by attended some 900 people. More than 80 attorneys from prestigious law firms volunteered and helped some 700 individuals. As a result of these efforts, the processing of dismissal petitions for criminal records remedies has improved significantly. For example, the District Attorney's office has worked to improve process of both mandatory and discretionary dismissals, the Alameda County Court has updated forms to clarify the remedies available and held special court dates to hear cases in special Clean Slate Calendars. Since last year's summit, the East Bay Community Law Center has established a court-based Self-Help Center in Oakland where volunteer attorneys are available twice a week to provide free legal assistance. The Self-Help Center based at Wiley Manuel Courthouse in Oakland handles approximately 120 criminal records petitioners per week. Since April, 2005, the Law Center has helped more than 2,100 people clean up their criminal records. According to the Los Angeles Times, 95 percent of all incarcerated people about 600,000 people per year nationwide are released from jail. Approximately 40,000 formerly incarcerated people return to serve probation or parole in Alameda County each year. The difficulties these people face in finding work, acquiring stable housing, pursuing education and otherwise stabilizing their lives contribute to recidivism and act as a barrier to the economic and social development of the community. ###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://lee.house.gov/news/press-releases/barbara-lee-announces-launch-of-minority-homeownership-initiative", "Barbara Lee Announces Launch of Minority Homeownership Initiative", "2006-10-25", "2006", "2006-10", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "10.25.06\n\t\t\t Barbara Lee Announces Launch of Minority Homeownership Initiative \n\t\t\t(Oakland, CA) - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) and the Bay Area HomeBuyer Agency (BABHA) held a press conference today to announce the launch of a program designed to help more than 200 local minority families realize the dream of homeownership. We are working together to break down the barriers that prevent minority families from owning their own homes, said Lee. The With Ownership Wealth Program (WOW) will provide homebuyer assistance to over six hundred minority households in the Ninth Congressional District over the next two years, with the expectation that at least 200 will own their own homes in that period. WOW provides participants with homebuyer education, counseling, and financial self sufficiency curriculums, and qualified buyers may receive as much as $100,000 in down payment assistance subsidies. As a teenage parent, I thought owning a home was out of reach. Programs like WOW allow people like me to get their foot in the door who otherwise would not be able to purchase a home in the Bay Area because of price, said Janet Adams, a single mother of two from Oakland who recently purchased a home through a WOW affiliated program. The press conference featured Derek Williams, a violence prevention counselor and single father who recently purchased a home through a WOW affiliated program. It was held in front of a house in Linden Row, a new development with a mix of market rate and affordable units built by Oakland Community Housing, Inc., a local non-profit developer. The development is an example of the type of homes that WOW participants can have access to purchase. The WOW program is an initiative of the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation that was developed to help African Americans and other minorities develop intergenerational wealth by reducing the barriers they face to homeownership. This program is an important tool in helping us close the minority homeownership gap, which is a key step in breaking the cycle of disparities and building strong economic foundations for our communities, said Lee, who was responsible for bringing the program to the East Bay and will sit on the advisory board that oversees its implementation. California has the second lowest home ownership rate in the country, ten percent below the national average. African Americans have a home ownership rate statewide of 39 percent and Latinos 43 percent, compared to 63 percent among Whites. A report released by the Center for Responsible Lending in June found that African-Americans and Latinos are 30 percent more likely than whites to be victims of predatory lending. ### \n\t\n\t \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\n \n\t \t \n\t\t \n\t\t \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://lee.house.gov/news/press-releases/lee-bushs-refusal-to-rule-out-permanent-bases-fuels-iraq-violence-endangers-troops", "Lee: Bush's Refusal to Rule Out Permanent Bases Fuels Iraq Violence, Endangers Troops", "2006-10-24", "2006", "2006-10", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "10.24.06\n\t\t\t Lee: Bush's Refusal to Rule Out Permanent Bases Fuels Iraq Violence, Endangers Troops \n\t\t\t(Oakland, CA) Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland), leader of the Congressional effort to prevent the establishment of permanent military bases in Iraq, released the following statement in response to President Bush's refusal today to answer a direct question about whether the US intends to maintain permanent military bases in Iraq: The President's continued refusal to clearly rule out a permanent U.S. military presence in Iraq only feeds the mistrust of the Iraqi public, strengthens the insurgency and fuels the violence on the ground, said Lee. A recent poll found that not only the overwhelming majority of Iraqis want the U.S. to leave, but that the overwhelming majority believes that the U.S. plans to keep permanent bases in Iraq, and that belief is highly correlated with support for attacks on U.S. forces. The poll, released by the Program on International Policy Attitudes in late September, found that almost 80 percent of Iraqis believe the US military is provoking more conflict than it is preventing and 71 percent want US forces to leave in the next year. Nearly 80 percent of Iraqis believe that the US intends to maintain permanent military bases in Iraq, and six in 10 approve of attacks on U.S. forces, an increase from January, when less than half approved of such attacks. According to the poll, If the US were to commit to withdraw, more than half of those who approve of attacks on US troops say that their support for attacks would diminish. Before going into recess, Lee led a bipartisan group of 72 members of Congress in writing to members of the conference committee on the Defense appropriations bill, calling on them to protect language in the bill that prohibits the establishment of permanent U.S. military bases in Iraq. The House voted to bar the use of fiscal year 2007 Department of Defense funds from being used to establish permanent bases. Lee introduced legislation in June, 2005 to prevent the establishment of permanent bases that now has the bipartisan support of 86 cosponsors. She offered no-permanent-bases amendments three times and succeeded in having it unanimously accepted into the FY06 supplemental appropriations bill. However, this provision was stripped in conference committee. Her amendment was also the basis of provisions included in the FY07 Department of Defense spending bill and the FY07 State-Science-Justice-State spending bill. ### \n\t\n\t \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\n \n\t \t \n\t\t \n\t\t \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://lee.house.gov/news/press-releases/federal-funds-help-reduce-congestion-with-i-238-widening", "Federal Funds Help Reduce Congestion with I-238 Widening", "2006-10-05", "2006", "2006-10", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "10.05.06\n\t\t\t Federal Funds Help Reduce Congestion with I-238 Widening \n\t\t\t(Castro Valley, CA) - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) was on hand today for the groundbreaking on a project to widen I-238 between I-880 and I-580, which was made possible in part by funds secured by Lee in the federal transportation bill last year. This project is an example of the fruit of our efforts to bring in federal funds for transportation projects that are critical to the East Bay and provide a vital economic stimulus for our community, said Lee. This funding is part of the effort to strengthen infrastructure, reduce pollution, protect the environment and foster opportunity by creating jobs. I-238 is the designated truck corridor from eastern Alameda County to the central valley and the rest of the state, and improvements along this corridor will facilitate the movement of container traffic through the Port of Oakland. Lee secured $800,000 in federal funds for the widening project. Through Congresswoman Lee's work, California's Ninth U.S. Congressional District will receive more than $13 million in earmarked funding for transportation projects designed to strengthen public transportation, expand recreational opportunities, improve public safety, and reduce traffic as part of the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU) bill passed by Congress in July, 2005. The bill set national transportation priorities and was the first comprehensive transportation bill to pass Congress since 1998. It included a total of $286 billion in total funding of which California stands to gain approximately $3.5 billion a year for the next six years. ### \n\t\n\t \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\n \n\t \t \n\t\t \n\t\t \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://lee.house.gov/news/press-releases/california-delegation-lauds-lees-leadership-on-darfur-divestment", "California Delegation Lauds Lees Leadership on Darfur Divestment", "2006-10-04", "2006", "2006-10", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "10.04.06\n\t\t\t California Delegation Lauds Lee's Leadership on Darfur Divestment \n\t\t\tWashington, DC Members of the California Democratic Congressional Delegation (CDCD) commended the leadership of U.S. Representative Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) in working to stop the genocide in Darfur. In particular, delegation members highlighted her role in starting the process that led to the historic California legislation, signed into law by the governor last week, that divests California pension funds from companies whose business supports the genocide in Darfur. Congresswoman Lee is doing an outstanding job leading the divestment movement, House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-San Francisco) said. All across the country, states and universities are leading divestment campaigns to ensure that money from American citizens will not go to a genocidal regime. Through her hard work and persistence, California will divest public pension funds from companies whose business in Sudan directly or indirectly support the genocide. \"Congresswoman Lee's leadership and persistence has been essential in divesting California pensions away from genocide supporters,\" said Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-San Jose), Chair of the California Democratic Congressional Delegation. \"I am proud that we have such a strong voice in our delegation on this issue.\" The process that led to the legislation began in November 2004 when members of the CDCD delegation wrote to the California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS), asking CalPERS to investigate whether any of its investment companies do business with the Sudanese government. Frustrated with the inadequacy of CalPERS response, Lee penned an op-ed entitled Erase the Darfur Blood Stain From California's Pensions that appeared in the Sunday Los Angeles Times in January 2005. In the piece she said that if CalPERS would not act on its own to divest, the state legislature should act to make it. In March 2005, Lee provided testimony when the California State Assembly Committee on Public Employees, Retirement and Social Security held a hearing on the first of several state divestment bills. The following month, Lee led members of the California delegation in calling on to the CEOs and board of the California State Teacher's Retirement System (CalSTRS) to develop a plan to divest -- and shortly afterward the CalSTRS board voted to do just that. Lee is on the House International Relations committee, where she serves on the Africa Subcommittee, and has been a leading voice in the growing divestment movement. She has traveled twice to Darfur, first with Congressional colleagues and Academy Award-nominated actor Don Cheadle in January 2005 and most recently on a delegation led by Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi in February 2006. In May 2006, she was arrested for protesting the genocide in front of the Sudanese embassy in Washington, DC along with other members of the Congressional Black Caucus. ### The California Democratic Congressional Delegation consists of 33 Democratic members of the U.S. House of Representatives from California. This group outnumbers all other state House delegations - Republicans and Democrats combined. \n\t\n\t \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\n \n\t \t \n\t\t \n\t\t \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://lee.house.gov/news/press-releases/barbara-lee-blasts-governor-for-veto-of-prison-aids-bill-veto-undermines-efforts-to-stem-spread-of-disease-in-african-american-community", "Barbara Lee Blasts Governor for Veto of Prison AIDS Bill Veto Undermines Efforts to Stem Spread of Disease in African American Community", "2006-09-29", "2006", "2006-09", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "09.29.06\n\t\t\t Barbara Lee Blasts Governor for Veto of Prison AIDS Bill Veto Undermines Efforts to Stem Spread of Disease in African American Community \n\t\t\t(Washington, DC) Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) issued the following statement in response to news that Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger today vetoed AB 1677, legislation designed to stop the spread of HIV and other STIs by allowing the distribution of condoms in California's prisons: I am deeply disappointed by the Governor's decision to veto the Koretz bill. AIDS is devastating the African American community and the prison system is contributing to its spread in our community. If we are serious about ending the HIV/AIDS pandemic we need to stop our prisons from being breeding grounds for the disease, said Lee. The fact is that more than 90 percent of incarcerated people return to our communities, and the governor's head-in-the-sand approach to AIDS in prisons poses a serious public health risk for the general population. Lee recently introduced H.R. 6083, which would allow community organizations to provide condoms, information and counseling on the spread of AIDS and other STIs in federal correctional facilities. It would also require an annual survey of all federal, state, and territorial correctional facilities to determine what policies are in place regarding: testing for STI's, sex education, counseling, treatment, and health referral services prior to re-entry. The survey is designed to provide the demographic data on STI testing for each infection based on race, age and gender in order to determine who is at risk and to help target prevention messages and behavior change programs. Building on the initial survey, the bill requires the development of a five year strategy to reduce the transmission of STI's in all correctional facilities by requiring specific individual plans to expand and guarantee access to prevention, education, counseling, testing, treatment, and health referral services prior to re-entry. The strategy also requires the development of monitoring and evaluation tools with specific goals to reduce transmission as well as a detailed request for funding over a five year period. The rate of HIV/AIDS is disproportionately high among incarcerated persons. The Bureau of Justice Statistics found that the rate of confirmed AIDS cases is 3 times higher among incarcerated persons than in the general population. Studies suggest that other STIs, such as gonorrhea, chlamydia, syphilis, genital herpes, viral hepatitis and human papillomavirus, also exist at a higher rate among incarcerated persons than in the general United States population. Minorities account for the majority of AIDS-related deaths among incarcerated persons, with African-American incarcerated persons 3.5 times more likely than White incarcerated persons and 2.5 times more likely than Hispanic incarcerated persons to die from AIDS-related causes. Currently, correctional facilities do not have a uniform system of STI testing and reporting and most correctional facilities ban the use and possession of condoms. ### \n\t\n\t \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\n \n\t \t \n\t\t \n\t\t \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://lee.house.gov/news/press-releases/barbara-lee-hails-momentum-in-preventing-permanent-bases", "Barbara Lee Hails Momentum in Preventing Permanent Bases", "2006-09-29", "2006", "2006-09", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "09.29.06\n\t\t\t Barbara Lee Hails Momentum in Preventing Permanent Bases \n\t\t\t(Washington, DC) For the second time this week Congress has approved a measure designed to bar funds from being used to establish permanent military bases in Iraq, including it in the fiscal year 2007 Defense Authorization bill conference report, which the House approved today. Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland), who has led Congressional efforts to prevent permanent military bases in Iraq, hailed the House approval of the provision. This is a positive step towards establishing that it is US policy that there will be no permanent military presence in Iraq, said Lee. Preventing permanent bases helps to take the targets off our troops' backs and ensures that when our troops come home, ALL of them come home. It is important to recognize that the debate that we have created about permanent bases has been virtually the only substantive discussion Congress has had about the future disposition of U.S. troops in Iraq, she added. Earlier this week, the Program on International Policy Attitudes released a poll that found that not only the overwhelming majority of Iraqis want the U.S. to leave, but that the overwhelming majority believes that the U.S. plans to keep permanent bases in Iraq, and that belief is highly correlated with support for attacks on U.S. forces. Lee introduced legislation in June, 2005 to prevent the establishment of permanent bases that now has the bipartisan support of 86 cosponsors. She offered no-permanent-bases amendments three times and succeeded in having it unanimously accepted into the FY06 supplemental appropriations bill. However, this provision was stripped in conference committee. Her amendment was also the basis of provisions included in the FY07 Department of Defense spending bill and the FY07 State-Science-Justice-State spending bill. ### \n\t\n\t \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\n \n\t \t \n\t\t \n\t\t \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://lee.house.gov/news/press-releases/barbara-lee-condemns-dhs-for-complete-neglect-of-security-at-port-of-oakland", "Barbara Lee Condemns DHS for Complete Neglect of Security at Port of Oakland", "2006-09-28", "2006", "2006-09", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "09.28.06\n\t\t\t Barbara Lee Condemns DHS for Complete Neglect of Security at Port of Oakland \n\t\t\t(Washington, DC) Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) today announced a meeting with Port of Oakland officials to determine the extent of the damage to regional security resulting from the refusal of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to fund any part of the Port's request for security funds. To zero out the security funding request for the fourth largest port in the United States at a time when we face intensified terrorist threats due to the war in Iraq is tantamount to gross negligence and dereliction of duty by the Bush Administration, said Lee. The administration has not only put us all at greater risk through their war of choice in Iraq, but they refuse to spend the money necessary to help us face the resulting additional terrorist threat. Lee will hold a meeting with Port Security officials this coming Tuesday, and will join other members of the California Congressional delegation will be meeting with DHS officials Friday. Earlier this week, Lee joined other members of the California Congressional delegation in writing to DHS Secretary Michael Chertoff, expressing shock and astonishment that DHS provided no port security funding at all for the Port of Oakland. It is a testament to the misplaced priorities of the Bush administration when it comes to making our nation safe that they are spending almost $2 billion a week on a war in Iraq, but can't spare a dollar to keep us safe here at home, said Lee. ### Text of the letter: September 26, 2006 The Honorable Michael Chertoff Department of Homeland Security Washington, D.C. 20528 Dear Secretary Chertoff, As Members who understand the critical importance of the Port of Oakland and Port of San Francisco, we write to you in astonishment that the ports did not receive funds under the Fiscal Year 2006 Port Security Grant Program. The Port of Oakland is the fourth busiest container port in the nation and the Pacific Coast gateway to the Asian markets. The security needs of the Port of Oakland are not only important to the Bay Area, but also are significantly important to the nation's economy. Indeed, in 2005, the port processed over 2.2 million twenty-foot equivalent units of cargo. This represents an 11.2 % increase over 2004 levels. Not only is the port a vital engine of the economy, but it is planning on expanding to meet growing demand for its services. The Port of San Francisco is a significant commercial and tourist hub for the West Coast and supports the activities of millions of visitors each year. The most recent round of Port Security grant funds demonstrates your agency's continued ignorance of the needs of our nation's ports. We have long called for DHS to develop a credible threat-based formula that would allocate homeland security funds to protect our critical infrastructure. There is no logical explanation for your decision not to protect one of the busiest ports in the nation. We are all the more concerned about your threat analysis, as in recent months it has led you to identify the Old MacDonald's Petting Zoo in Huntsville, Alabama as a vulnerable national asset, but failed to list the Empire State Building in the same category. While we understand the Administration's recent budget requests have left your agency without the funds to begin addressing America's most critical security needs, we insist that you design a system which adequately addresses the security needs of national assets like the Ports of Oakland and San Francisco. Anything less will leave our nation's security and economy at great risk. We ask that you reconsider this decision. We look forward to your timely response, which should also include an explanation of your analysis that left the Ports of Oakland and San Francisco unfunded in this round of grants and your plans to continue to improve the security of these ports. Sincerely, _________________ _________________ _________________ _________________ Ellen Tauscher Nancy Pelosi Dianne Feinstein Barbara Boxer Member of Congress Minority Leader U.S. Senator U.S. Senator _________________ _________________ _________________ _________________ Barbara Lee George Miller Pete Stark Tom Lantos Member of Congress Member of Congress Member of Congress Member of Congress _________________ _________________ _________________ _________________ Mike Honda Zoe Lofgren Anna Eshoo Lynn Woolsey Member of Congress Member of Congress Member of Congress Member of Congress \n\t\n\t \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\n \n\t \t \n\t\t \n\t\t \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://lee.house.gov/news/press-releases/barbara-lee-opposes-cuts-to-california-aids-funds", "Barbara Lee Opposes Cuts to California AIDS Funds", "2006-09-28", "2006", "2006-09", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "09.28.06\n\t\t\t Barbara Lee Opposes Cuts to California AIDS Funds \n\t\t\t(Washington, DC) Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) spoke out against proposed new formulas for allocating federal funds for the treatment and prevention of HIV/AIDS that would result in significant cuts for California and the Bay Area. We cannot afford to play musical chairs with federal HIV/AIDS funds, said Lee. Taking money away from one state to give it to another and pitting states against each other in a competition for funds is not a solution. We need an increase in funding. Under the new formulas in the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Treatment Modernization Act of 2006, states with a mature HIV/AIDS epidemic that have devoted considerable resources to fighting the disease are slated to lose funds to states with emerging HIV epidemics. Without an increase in new funding, the result will be an immediate and dramatic cut in funding for the state of California, and for Alameda County in particular. In Alameda County over 6,600 cases of AIDS have been diagnosed since 1980, and nearly 4,000 people have died. In 1998, Lee led efforts to declare a State of Emergency in Alameda County regarding HIV/AIDS in the African American community, which provided additional funding to combat the disease and inspired the creation of a community wide taskforce to ensure that there was a focused response to this epidemic that targeted the African American community. ### \n\t\n\t \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\n \n\t \t \n\t\t \n\t\t \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://lee.house.gov/news/press-releases/barbara-lee-slams-warrantless-eavesdropping-bill", "Barbara Lee Slams Warrantless Eavesdropping Bill", "2006-09-28", "2006", "2006-09", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "09.28.06\n\t\t\t Barbara Lee Slams Warrantless Eavesdropping Bill \n\t\t\t(Washington, DC) Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) spoke forcefully against a Republican bill designed to provide legal cover for the Bush administration's warrantless surveillance program, during debate on the House floor this evening. The following is her statement (as prepared): Mr. Speaker, I rise in total opposition to H.R. 5825, the Electronic Surveillance Act. The FISA law that the President chose to ignore and that this bill seeks to bypass is a law that powerfully symbolizes both the risk of the abuse of executive power and the strength of our system of checks and balances. The FISA law was enacted to protect against very real abuses. In the name of fighting communism, our executive branch through the likes of J. Edgar Hoover and COINTELPRO perpetrated massive abuses in surveillance of innocent Americans. These abuses included the surveillance, among many others, of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and his wife Coretta, as part of what the Church Commission described as an intensive campaign by the Federal Bureau of Investigation to neutralize him as an effective civil rights leader.' The only thing that redeems our Nation's great shame at these abuses was that the system of checks and balances created by our Constitution worked. The convening of a special Congressional Committee and the Church Commission's investigation ensured that there was oversight, and there was accountability. In the end, Congress produced a law that allowed us to protect our Nation, our Constitution and our citizens. This Congress ignores that lesson at our nation's peril. I urge my colleagues to remember our history, and vote against this bill. ### \n\t\n\t \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\n \n\t \t \n\t\t \n\t\t \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://lee.house.gov/news/press-releases/barbara-lee-cbc-members-get-tested-at-capitol-to-highlight-importance-of-knowing-hiv-status-encourages-local-black-elected-officials-to-do-the-same", "Barbara Lee, CBC Members Get Tested at Capitol to Highlight Importance of Knowing HIV Status Encourages Local Black Elected Officials to Do the Same", "2006-09-27", "2006", "2006-09", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "09.27.06\n\t\t\t Barbara Lee, CBC Members Get Tested at Capitol to Highlight Importance of Knowing HIV Status Encourages Local Black Elected Officials to Do the Same \n\t\t\t(Washington, DC) As part of the high profile mobilization to stop the spread of HIV/AIDS in the African American community and to emphasize the importance of regular testing in that fight, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) and members of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) got tested for HIV at a mobile testing center outside of the Capitol building on Wednesday morning. We have to stop the devastation this disease is causing in our community, and promoting testing is a critical first step, said Lee, who Co-Chairs the CBC Global HIV/AIDS Taskforce. People need to know their status, and I will be working with local Black lawmakers and others to promote testing in the Bay Area. According to the Centers for Disease Control an estimated 250,000 people, more than one in four of those infected, have HIV and do not know it. The HIV/AIDS epidemic is devastating the African American community. Today, African Americans account for nearly 50 percent of all people in the United States living with HIV/AIDS even though they represent about 12 percent of the population. African American women account for nearly 70 percent of new infections among women, and AIDS is now the leading cause of death for African American women between the ages of 25-34. The event comes in the immediate wake of new testing recommendations issued by the Centers for Disease Control, and on the heels of the XVI WORLD AIDS Conference in Toronto, where African American leaders from the United States announced a national call to action to end the AIDS epidemic in black America. As part of that effort, Lee recently held a forum in Oakland designed to raise awareness about the toll the disease is taking on the African American community and to foster community involvement in stopping its spread. She has introduced resolutions recognizing the goals of National HIV Testing Day, and in 2005 the House of Representatives passed her resolution supporting the goals of National Black AIDS Awareness Day. She has introduced legislation aimed at ensuring continuing care and treatment for Gulf Coast residents living with HIV/AIDS who were displaced by hurricanes Katrina and Rita, and recently introduced legislation to allow the distribution of condoms in federal prisons and to develop a strategy to reduce HIV and other STIs in prisons. As the lead author of the Global AIDS and Tuberculosis Relief Act of 2000 and the principal co-author of legislation establishing the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), Congresswoman Barbara Lee's accomplishments in promoting effective, bipartisan measures to stop the spread of HIV/AIDS and bring treatment to those living with HIV/AIDS have earned her international recognition as a leader in the fight against the HIV/AIDS pandemic. ### \n\t\n\t \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\n \n\t \t \n\t\t \n\t\t \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://lee.house.gov/news/press-releases/barbara-lee-speaks-out-against-torture-tribunal-bill", "Barbara Lee Speaks Out Against Torture Tribunal Bill", "2006-09-27", "2006", "2006-09", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "09.27.06\n\t\t\t Barbara Lee Speaks Out Against Torture Tribunal Bill \n\t\t\t(Washington, DC) Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) spoke in strong opposition to a controversial Republican bill designed to create a legal framework for trying suspected terrorists. The bill allows the President to interpret U.S. commitments under the Geneva Convention an unprecedented move that critics say opens the door to torture and creates a system where suspected terrorists may be held indefinitely, with no right to appeal their detention. The following is her statement (as delivered): Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong opposition to the rule and the underlying bill. At a time when even the National Intelligence Estimate has concluded that the occupation in Iraq has spawned a new generation of terrorists and made us, quite frankly, less safe, this bill will undermine the security of our brave troops and hand a victory to those who believe the rule of force should prevail over the rule of law. And I have to say once again, as the daughter of a twenty-five year military lieutenant colonel, who served this country in many capacities through two wars, this scares methis scares me to death. What century are we living in when we trust intelligence acquired through torture? Clearly the President fails to realize that these techniques will destroy the credibility of any verdicts that use information derived from torture. Insisting on fairness and credibilitythat's all we are asking for. Credibility of the process isn't about protecting those who would harm us, as the Republicans would have you believe. It's about protecting our troops and our nation and not further alienating our country in the eyes of the world community. When we turn away from the legal and moral values that have guided our nation, we give up the principles that differentiate us from the terrorists. And as I quoted from a prayer from Reverend Baxter, from the National Cathedral at the memorial service for the victims and families of 9/11 five years ago, Reverend Baxter said, I keep thinking about this prayer, he said, let us not become the evil we deplore.' So, I just want to urge a no' vote on this bill and I want to thank Mr. Skelton for your leadership, for your support for the troops, your steadfast work on behalf of our national security, and for making sure that this body tries to uphold the rule of law. ### \n\t\n\t \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\n \n\t \t \n\t\t \n\t\t \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://lee.house.gov/news/press-releases/lee-applauds-decision-to-bars-funds-for-permanent-bases-in-iraq", "Lee Applauds Decision to Bars Funds for Permanent Bases in Iraq", "2006-09-26", "2006", "2006-09", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "09.26.06\n\t\t\t Lee Applauds Decision to Bars Funds for Permanent Bases in Iraq \n\t\t\t(Washington, DC) Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) applauded the inclusion of ban on funds the establishment of permanent military bases in Iraq in a defense spending bill the House is widely expected to pass today. This is a very important first step towards taking the target off of our troops' backs and making it clear that we will not maintain a permanent military presence in Iraq, said Lee, who introduced legislation in June, 2005 to prevent the establishment of permanent bases that now has the bipartisan support of 86 cosponsors. The fiscal year 2007 Department of Defense appropriations conference report that the House will vote on today includes language barring funds from going towards the establishment of permanent military bases in Iraq: Sec. 9012. None of the funds appropriated or otherwise made available by this Act may be obligated or expended by the United States Government for a purpose as follows:To establish any military installation or base for the purpose of providing for the permanent stationing of United States Armed Forces in Iraq.To exercise United States control over any oil resource of Iraq. Last week, Lee led a bipartisan group of 72 Representatives in writing to members of the conference committee on the Defense appropriations bill, calling on them to protect the provision. One area where policymakers and experts across the political spectrum agree is that the United States should make clear that it does not seek a permanent military presence in Iraq, the letter stated. A major factor fueling the insurgency in Iraq is the perception of many Iraqis that the United States has long term aims in their country. The provision was inserted in the House version by Rep. John Murtha in subcommittee, after a similar provision introduced by Lee was removed from the Iraq supplemental appropriations bill in conference, despite having been passed by both the House and Senate. When the bill came to the floor in June, the House defeated an amendment introduced by Rep. Steve King (R-IA) to strip out the provision by a vote of 50 376. The final language in the conference report comes from the Senate version of the bill, and an amendment offered by Senator Joe Biden, which was approved by the Senate on August 3rd. It's a good start, but this language will only apply to funds for the FY07 fiscal year. We need to make the policy of the United States not to have permanent military bases in Iraq, said Lee. ### \n\t\n\t \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\n \n\t \t \n\t\t \n\t\t \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://lee.house.gov/news/press-releases/lee-leads-bipartisan-group-in-call-to-uphold-permanent-bases-ban", "Lee Leads Bipartisan Group in Call to Uphold Permanent Bases Ban", "2006-09-22", "2006", "2006-09", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "09.22.06\n\t\t\t Lee Leads Bipartisan Group in Call to Uphold Permanent Bases Ban \n\t\t\t(Washington, DC) Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) led a bipartisan group of 72 members of Congress in writing to members of the conference committee on the Defense appropriations bill, calling on them to protect language in the bill that prohibits the establishment of permanent U.S. military bases in Iraq. One area where policymakers and experts across the political spectrum agree is that the United States should make clear that it does not seek a permanent military presence in Iraq, the letter states. A major factor fueling the insurgency in Iraq is the perception of many Iraqis that the United States has long term aims in their country. Both the House and Senate versions of the fiscal year 2007 Department of Defense appropriations bill contain provisions designed to prohibit permanent bases. Earlier this year, similar language was stripped out of the Emergency Iraq supplemental spending bill during the conference process, despite having been approved by both the House and Senate. Republican Congressmen Phil English (Penn.), Jim Leach (Iowa) and Rob Simmons (Conn.) joined Lee, Tom Allen (Maine) and 67 other Democrats in signing the letter, which was sent to Representatives Bill Young and John Murtha, the Chairman and Ranking Member, respectively, of the House Appropriations Committee Subcommittee on Defense. ### Text of the letter: September 21, 2006 The Honorable C.W. Bill Young The Honorable John Murtha Chairman, Ranking Member, Subcommittee on Defense Subcommittee on Defense Committee on Appropriations Committee on Appropriations U.S. House of Representatives U.S. House of Representatives Washington, D.C., 20515 Washington, D.C., 20515 Chairman Young and Ranking Member Murtha: As you prepare for conference on the fiscal year 2007 (FY07) Department of Defense appropriations bill, we are writing to urge you to include in the final version, provisions prohibiting the establishment of permanent military bases in Iraq. The House-passed Department of Defense Appropriations bill contains a provision that would ensure that no funds in the bill would be used to enter into a base agreement with the government of Iraq. The Senate-passed version of the bill contains a similar provision in Section 8109, which prohibits funds to establish permanent military bases in Iraq or to exercise control over the oil infrastructure or oil resources of Iraq. With both chambers including similar provisions in their respective defense appropriations bills, and the House demonstrating its overwhelming support by a vote of 376-50 in favor of retaining the language in its version, we request that some form of this language be included in the conference report. Furthermore, we appreciate your statements in support of the House provision during debate on June 20, 2006. One area where policymakers and experts across the political spectrum agree is that the United States should make clear that it does not seek a permanent military presence in Iraq. A major factor fueling the insurgency in Iraq is the perception of many Iraqis that the United States has long term aims in their country. General George Casey has testified that gradually lowering the visibility of U.S. troops will remove one of the elements fueling the insurgency. Secretary Donald Rumsfeld has testified that, We have no desire to have our forces permanently in that country. We have no plans or no discussions under way to have permanent bases in that country. Congress should join the Administration in affirming this principal. Enacting the no permanent bases provision in the defense appropriations bill will send a clear signal to the Iraqi people that we fully support their efforts to establish democracy and exercise sovereignty. By making our intentions crystal clear, we would reassure the world that Iraqis will choose their own destinies. Thank you in advance for your consideration of our request. Sincerely, Barbara Lee Tom Allen Neil Abercrombie Tammy Baldwin Xavier Becerra Howard L. Berman Timothy H. Bishop Earl Blumenauer G. K. Butterfield Lois Capps Julia Carson Donna M. Christensen William Lacy Clay John Conyers Jr. Joseph Crowley Elijah E. Cummings Danny K. Davis Peter A. DeFazio Lloyd Doggett Phil English Sam Farr Chaka Fattah Barney Frank Ral M. Grijalva Luis V. Gutierrez Jane Harman Maurice D. Hinchey Rush D. Holt Michael M. Honda Carolyn C. Kilpatrick Ron Kind Dennis J. Kucinich Tom Lantos John B. Larson James A. Leach John Lewis Carolyn B. Maloney Edward J. Markey Doris O. Matsui Betty McCollum Jim McDermott James P. McGovern Martin T. Meehan Gregory W. Meeks Michael H. Michaud Brad Miller Gwen Moore Jerrold Nadler Grace F. Napolitano James L. Oberstar Major R. Owens Ed Pastor Donald M. Payne Nancy Pelosi David E. Price Steven R. Rothman Bobby L. Rush Janice D. Schakowsky Adam B. Schiff Allyson Y. Schwartz Robert C. Scott Rob Simmons Adam Smith Hilda L. Solis Pete Stark Mike Thompson John F. Tierney Maxine Waters Diane E. Watson Henry A. Waxman Lynn C. Woolsey Mark Udall \n\t\n\t \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\n \n\t \t \n\t\t \n\t\t \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://lee.house.gov/news/press-releases/lee-bill-will-stop-millions-in-federal-contracts-from-going-to-companies-that-support-darfur-genocide-measure-protects-states-ability-to-divest-public-pension-funds", "Lee Bill Will Stop Millions in Federal Contracts from Going to Companies that Support Darfur Genocide Measure Protects States Ability to Divest Public Pension Funds", "2006-09-21", "2006", "2006-09", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "09.21.06\n\t\t\t Lee Bill Will Stop Millions in Federal Contracts from Going to Companies that Support Darfur Genocide Measure Protects States' Ability to Divest Public Pension Funds \n\t\t\t(Washington, DC) More than $600 million in federal contracts has gone to international companies whose business in Sudan may directly or indirectly support the Sudanese government's campaign of genocide in Darfur, according to members of Congress who want to put an end to the practice. Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) and other members of Congress held a press conference on Capitol Hill today to announce the introduction of legislation that would bar international companies whose business in Sudan directly or indirectly supports the genocide in Darfur from receiving tax payer funded federal contracts at a press conference on Capitol Hill today. No one should have to worry that their tax dollars are supporting genocide, said Lee. This bill is designed to wash the blood off of our federal contracts, protect the rights of states to divest their own public pension funds from companies doing business in Sudan and increase the financial pressure on Khartoum to end the genocide in Darfur. Based on information from the GSA Procurement Data System, companies like Seimens AG, Alstom Power Inc., ABB Inc., Schlumberger Technology Corp. and Kuwait Petroleum Corp. who do business in Sudan received more than $600 million in federal contracts during fiscal years 2004-2006 (the period during which the genocide has taken place). There is no comprehensive list of companies whose business in Sudan is supporting the genocide, or which of them are receiving or have received federal contracts, a situation this legislation seeks to remedy. Lee's Bill, the Darfur Accountability and Divestment Act, which has 48 original co-sponsors, including Democratic Leader, Nancy Pelosi (D-CA); Ranking Member of the House International Relations Committee, Tom Lantos (D-CA); and Ranking Member of the Africa Subcommittee, Don Payne (D-NJ), requires the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to compile and publish a list of all companies listing securities on United States capital markets whose business is judged directly or indirectly support the genocide in Darfur and bans federal contracts for such companies. The bill also protects the right of states to divest public pension funds from such companies, a provision that was included in the House version of the Darfur Peace and Accountability Act, passed in April. The Senate has delayed passage of the Darfur Peace and Accountability Act due to pressure from the financial services industry to remove the provision protecting states rights to divest, and Senator Lugar has just introduced his own version of the bill, stripping out the provision. The bill also requires The Government Accountability Office (GAO) to report on all Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board investments in such companies. The Federal Thrift Savings Program holds approximately $186 billion in assets for more than 3.6 million current and former government employees. Lee is the most senior Democratic woman on the House International Relations committee, where she serves on the Africa Subcommittee, and has been a leading voice in the growing divestment movement. She has traveled twice to Darfur, first with Congressional colleagues and academy award nominated actor Don Cheadle in January, 2005 and most recently on a delegation led by Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi in February, 2006. ### Fact SheetDarfur Accountability and Divestment Act of 2006 What does the Darfur and Accountability Divestment Act Do? Establishes a list of companies whose business in Sudan is deemed to directly or indirectly support the genocide Bans federal contracts with such companies Requires the Government Accountability Office GAO to investigate the existence and extent of Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board investments in such companies Stipulates that no part of this Act or any other provision of law shall be construed to preempt any State law that prohibits investment of State funds, including State pension funds, in or relating to Sudan. What are the criteria for determining whether a companies business supports the genocide? The nature of the business relationship is with the national, regional, and local government of Sudan; The business is with the Government of Sudan or government-controlled entities (ex. Janjaweed); Their business operations are relating to the sale of military equipment or inherently dual-use technology, such as civilian radar systems; The business operations relate to natural resource extraction, including oil-related activities and mining of minerals; and The business lacks safeguards to ensure business operations do not become indirectly involved in the terrorist-sponsoring or genocidal policies of the Government of Sudan. What states have divested because of the genocide in Darfur? Illinois, New Jersey, Oregon, and Maine have passed legislation mandating divestment of State funds from companies conducting business operations in Sudan. California, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, North Carolina, Kansas, Wisconsin, Indiana, Georgia, Maryland, New York, Iowa, Texas, and several other states are developing/awaiting Governor's signature on divestment legislation of state funds from companies conducting business operations. By divesting are states getting involved in foreign policy? In passing state-by-state divestment legislation, state governments are not violating any constitutional mandate, treaty, executive agreement or Federal statutestechnically, states are sending a message consistent with that of the Federal government and the White House, that the Darfur genocide is unacceptable and no blood will be on the hands of those investing in state pension plans. Quoting from the debate on South African apartheid, The bottom line is that local authorities already have a clear legal right (and moral obligation) to exercise discretion in how they invest THEIR OWN money.-Gerald Warburg, aide to California Senator Alan Cranston, LA Times, Sept. 12, 1986 Who are the companies? Part of the problem this bill seeks to address is the lack of comprehensive information about companies and their business activities in Sudan. Below is a partial list of companies that have been identified as having business operations in Sudan and received U.S. federal contracts totaling more than $600 million during the period when the genocide has taken place: Fiscal Year 2006 Company U.S. Contract obligated Seimens AG (Seimens ADB in Sudan) $2,400,279 Alstom Power Inc $5,159,951 ABB Inc.(ABB SAE in Sudan) $3,755,908 Schlumberger Technology Corp. (oil production comp.)$327,965 Fiscal Year 2005 Company U.S. Contract obligated Seimens AG (Seimens ADB in Sudan) $4,894,890 Alstom Power Inc $2,269,253 ABB Inc.(ABB SAE in Sudan) $4,519,376 Schlumberger Technology Corp. $501,255 Kuwait Petroleum Corp. $329,999,835 Fiscal Year 2004 Company U.S. Contract obligated Seimens AG (Seimens ADB in Sudan) $3,551,458 Alstom Power Inc $21,988,092 ABB Inc.(ABB SAE in Sudan) $12,764,373 Schlumberger Technology Corp. $2,095,209 Kuwait Petroleum Corp. $211,510,433 ***All the information by fiscal year prepared in this document was found in the Federal Procurement Data System-Next Generation (FPDS-NG) which is provided by the U.S. General Services Administration. FPDS-NG is the most comprehensive source of information on the federal procurement actions although not all agencies are required to participate, such as the Transportation Security Agency, NASA a", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://lee.house.gov/news/press-releases/barbara-lee-blasts-proposed-voter-id-bill", "Barbara Lee Blasts Proposed Voter ID Bill", "2006-09-20", "2006", "2006-09", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "09.20.06\n\t\t\t Barbara Lee Blasts Proposed Voter ID Bill \n\t\t\t(Washington, DC) Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) spoke in strong opposition to a Republican proposed bill that would require voters to produce proof of citizenship in order to be able to vote. The following is her statement (as delivered): Talk about a cynical, discriminatory, election year ploy. This is unbelievable. This bill as well as this closed rule should be defeated. As a country with one of the lowest percentages of voter participation in the world, we should be doing everything we can to remove the barriers to voting. For example, we should have been debating legislation to fix the real problems with the 2002 and 2004 electionslong voting lines, voter intimidation, faulty machines, poor training for poll workers, discriminatory voter registration laws, or for example making Election Day a federal holiday so that everyone can exercise their right to vote. But instead we are debating a bill that effectively suppresses voter turnout by imposing this new unconstitutional poll tax on all Americans. Have we already forgotten why we just reauthorized the Voting Rights Act a few months ago? Now the Republican leadership is already working overtime to try and undermine it. Yes, we must eliminate voter fraud, but that is certainly not what this bill does. There are real solutions that will enforce our constitutionally guaranteed right to vote, and that will ensure that every vote is cast and counted. That's what we should be voting on. As we supposedly promote democracy throughout the world, we are quickly eroding it right here at home. And this bill is an example of another step in that direction. Let's practice what we preach. Let's defeat this rule and this sham bill and do some things in this body, this session, to ensure that every individual who has the right to vote is allowed that right, so that voting becomes freer and fairer in our country. ### \n\t\n\t \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\n \n\t \t \n\t\t \n\t\t \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://lee.house.gov/news/press-releases/barbara-lee-holds-town-hall-meeting-on-west-oakland-air-quality", "Barbara Lee Holds Town Hall Meeting on West Oakland Air Quality", "2006-09-18", "2006", "2006-09", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "09.18.06\n\t\t\t Barbara Lee Holds Town Hall Meeting on West Oakland Air Quality \n\t\t\t(Oakland, CA) Congresswoman Barbara Lee held a town hall meeting Saturday with representatives from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the West Oakland Environmental Indicators Project, the Port of Oakland, and the U.S. Postal Service where West Oakland residents got updates on collaborative efforts to improve local air quality and environmental health in the West Oakland community and learned what steps they can take to protect their families' health. Since our last town hall meeting on this issue, there have been many promising developments, but we have a long way to go, particularly with the increases in regional goods movement that we will be seeing here locally in the coming years, said Lee. I am committed to working with all levels of government to ensure that the health of West Oakland residents is a top priority in the planning processes related to goods movement, and that there is a clear, formal process for community input as these changes take place. Discussion focused on the formation and progress of the West Oakland Toxic Reduction Collaborative (WOTRC), a joint effort of the U.S. EPA, the West Oakland Environmental Indicators Project and other local stakeholders; information on healthy homes; and updates on environmental impact mitigation efforts on the part of the Port of Oakland and the U.S. Postal Service in West Oakland. Congresswoman Lee also provided an update on her legislative environmental efforts, such as H.R. 5235, the Environment and Public Health Restoration Act of 2006. \"The US EPA is pleased to be able to work with the community of West Oakland and other stakeholders through the West Oakland Toxics Reduction Collaborative. This work will yield a reduction in toxic exposures from diesel and other pollutants,\" said Deborah Jordan, Director of the US EPA Air Division in the Pacific southwest. \"The Collaborative has already been making steady progress, and we look forward to continuing our work with the community and with Congresswoman Barbara Lee to make the air cleaner for all of the residents of West Oakland.\" West Oakland has some of the highest asthma rates in the country, due in large part to the high volume of diesel emissions from the ships and trucks moving cargo in and out of the Port of Oakland on a daily basis. In February 2005, Congresswoman Lee hosted an event on these issues and received valuable input from local residents and organizations regarding their environmental and community health concerns. Saturday's event was designed to revisit those discussions and provide updates to community residents on the important progress that has been made with regard to the environment and air quality in West Oakland since that time. In one example of the ongoing effort to address air quality, the Port of Oakland launched a truck replacement program, through which truckers are provided with financial incentives to exchange the oldest, dirtiest trucks on the road with newer models, thereby decreasing the amount of diesel emissions in the air and contributing to an improvement in community health in West Oakland and in the surrounding areas. The Port of Oakland recognizes that as a result of its service as a major transportation hub to this region, that there are environmental impacts from our operations. We are actively pursuing emissions reductions programs. We applaud Congresswoman Barbara Lee for holding a Town Hall meeting that helps keep our stakeholders involved and informed as we all work together to improve air quality, said Roberta Reinstein, Manager, Environmental Programs and Safety, Port of Oakland. ### \n\t\n\t \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\n \n\t \t \n\t\t \n\t\t \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://lee.house.gov/news/press-releases/lee-bill-aims-to-reduce-the-spread-of-aids-in-prisons", "Lee Bill Aims to Reduce the Spread of AIDS in Prisons", "2006-09-17", "2006", "2006-09", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "09.17.06\n\t\t\t Lee Bill Aims to Reduce the Spread of AIDS in Prisons \n\t\t\t(Oakland, CA) Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) announced at a forum she hosted on AIDS in the African American community in Oakland on Saturday that she has introduced legislation aimed at stopping the spread of AIDS and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in prisons. If we are serious about ending the HIV/AIDS pandemic we need to stop our prisons from being breeding grounds for the disease, said Lee. The fact is that more than 90 percent of incarcerated people return to our communities, and the head-in-the-sand approach to AIDS in prisons poses a serious public health risk for the general population. The Justice for the Unprotected against Sexually Transmitted Infections among the Confined and Exposed, (JUSTICE) Act of 2006 (H.R. 6083) would allow community organizations to provide condoms, information and counseling on the spread of AIDS and other STIs in federal correctional facilities. It would also require an annual survey of all federal, state, and territorial correctional facilities to determine what policies are in place regarding: testing for STI's, sex education, counseling, treatment, and health referral services prior to re-entry. The survey is designed to provide the demographic data on STI testing for each infection based on race, age and gender in order to determine who is at risk and to help target prevention messages and behavior change programs. Building on the initial survey, the bill requires the development of a five year strategy to reduce the transmission of STI's in all correctional facilities by requiring specific individual plans to expand and guarantee access to prevention, education, counseling, testing, treatment, and health referral services prior to re-entry. The strategy also requires the development of monitoring and evaluation tools with specific goals to reduce transmission as well as a detailed request for funding over a five year period. The rate of HIV/AIDS is disproportionately high among incarcerated persons. The Bureau of Justice Statistics found that the rate of confirmed AIDS cases is 3 times higher among incarcerated persons than in the general population. Studies suggest that other STIs, such as gonorrhea, chlamydia, syphilis, genital herpes, viral hepatitis and human papillomavirus, also exist at a higher rate among incarcerated persons than in the general United States population. Minorities account for the majority of AIDS-related deaths among incarcerated persons, with African-American incarcerated persons 3.5 times more likely than White incarcerated persons and 2.5 times more likely than Hispanic incarcerated persons to die from AIDS-related causes. This bill takes an important first step towards addressing the negative impact of our criminal justice system in perpetuating the spread of HIV among African Americans and communities of color, said Lee. Currently, correctional facilities do not have a uniform system of STI testing and reporting and most correctional facilities ban the use and possession of condoms. Lee's bill mirrors efforts in California to allow non-profits and public health care agencies to make condoms available in state correctional facilities. A bill (AB 1677) authored by Assemblyman Paul Koretz (D-West Hollywood) recently passed the California State Legislature and is awaiting the Governor's approval. \"As we introduce this legislation today at the federal level, I urge the Governor to promptly sign the Koretz bill and send a message to the rest of the country that California is serious about stopping the spread of HIV/AIDS in our prisons,\" said Lee. ### \n\t\n\t \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\n \n\t \t \n\t\t \n\t\t \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://lee.house.gov/news/press-releases/barbara-lee-hosts-forum-on-hiv/aids-in-the-african-american-community", "Barbara Lee Hosts Forum on HIV/AIDS in the African American Community", "2006-09-15", "2006", "2006-09", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "09.15.06\n\t\t\t Barbara Lee Hosts Forum on HIV/AIDS in the African American Community \n\t\t\t(Oakland, CA) On Saturday, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) hosted Getting Real: a Forum about HIV/AIDS as part of an effort to raise awareness about the toll the disease is taking on the African American community and to foster community involvement in stopping its spread. This year at the International AIDS conference, I joined with Julian Bond, Chairman of the Board of the NAACP and many others to announce a National Call to Action and Declaration of Commitment to End the AIDS Epidemic in Black America. The goal is for African Americans to take ownership over stopping the AIDS crisis that is devastating our community, and the way to do that is for EVERYONE to get involved, said Lee. Everyone has a role to play in stopping this disease, and that is a responsibility I take seriously as part of my agenda in Congress. The forum, which took place on the campus of Merritt College, featured panelists Sheryl Lee Ralph Artist / HIV/AIDS Educator; Bishop Dr. Yvette A. Flunder Senior Pastor, City of Refuge United Church of Christ; Pastor D. Mark Wilson- Assistant Professor of Ministry and Congregational Leadership, Pacific School of Religion; and Roosevelt Mosby- Executive Director, Sexual Minority Alliance of Alameda County (SMAAC) Youth Center. The event also offered free HIV testing and information about local HIV services. The HIV/AIDS epidemic is devastating the African American community. Today, African Americans account for nearly 50 percent of all people in the United States living with HIV/AIDS even though they represent about 12 percent of the population. African American women also account for nearly 70 percent of new infections among women, and AIDS is now the leading cause of death for African American women between the ages of 25-34. In Alameda County over 6,600 cases of AIDS have been diagnosed since 1980, and nearly 4,000 people have died. Of those numbers African Americans represent well over 40 percent of the cumulative AIDS cases and AIDS deaths in the county. In 1998, Lee led efforts to declare a State of Emergency in Alameda County regarding HIV/AIDS in the African American community, which provided additional funding to combat the disease and inspired the creation of a community wide taskforce to ensure that there was a focused response to this epidemic that targeted the African American community. Lee also announced that this week she introduced legislation aimed at stopping the spread of AIDS and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in prisons. If we are serious about ending the HIV/AIDS pandemic we need to stop our prisons from being breeding grounds for the disease, said Lee. The fact is that more than 90 percent of incarcerated people return to our communities, and the head-in-the-sand approach to AIDS in prisons poses a serious public health risk for the general population. This bill takes an important first step towards addressing the negative impact of our criminal justice system in perpetuating the spread of HIV among African Americans and communities of color. Lee is the Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus Global AIDS Taskforce and in 2005 the House of Representatives passed her resolution supporting the goals of National Black AIDS Awareness Day. She has introduced legislation aimed at ensuring continuing care and treatment for Gulf Coast residents living with HIV/AIDS who were displaced by hurricanes Katrina and Rita, and later this year she will introduce legislation to allow the distribution of condoms in federal prisons and to develop a strategy to reduce HIV and other STIs in prisons. As the lead author of the Global AIDS and Tuberculosis Relief Act of 2000 and the principal co-author of legislation establishing the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), Congresswoman Barbara Lee's accomplishments in promoting effective, bipartisan measures to stop the spread of HIV/AIDS and bring treatment to those living with HIV/AIDS have earned her international recognition as a leader in the fight against the HIV/AIDS pandemic. ### \n\t\n\t \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\n \n\t \t \n\t\t \n\t\t \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://lee.house.gov/news/press-releases/barbara-lees-statement-on-the-fifth-anniversary-of-9/11", "Barbara Lees Statement on the Fifth Anniversary of 9/11", "2006-09-11", "2006", "2006-09", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "09.11.06\n\t\t\t Barbara Lee's Statement on the Fifth Anniversary of 9/11 \n\t\t\t(Washington, DC) Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) issued the following statement on the fifth anniversary of the terrorist attacks of September 11th, 2001: As we commemorate the fifth anniversary of the terrible terrorist attacks of September 11th, 2001, it is a time to come together as a nation to grieve and to remember the men, women and children who lost their lives that day. It is also a time to honor the courage and the heroism of our first responders and those who put themselves in harms way to help others. We mourn the loss of those innocent lives not just because of who they were, but because of who we are. This anniversary is a time to reflect on the values like liberty, democracy, tolerance, freedom of expression and respect for human life and the rule of law that define us and separate us from terrorists. Amidst the efforts of the Bush administration to politicize this anniversary, it is important to step back and remember that it is those values against which our government's actions should be measured, and it is an apt time to remember the admonition of Rev. Nathan D. Baxter who, at the memorial service at the Washington National Cathedral immediately after the attacks, offered the prayer that despite our grief, may we not become the evil we deplore.' ### \n\t\n\t \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\n \n\t \t \n\t\t \n\t\t \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://lee.house.gov/news/press-releases/barbara-lee-responds-to-schwarzeneggers-racist-comments", "Barbara Lee Responds to Schwarzeneggers Racist Comments", "2006-09-08", "2006", "2006-09", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "09.08.06\n\t\t\t Barbara Lee Responds to Schwarzenegger's Racist Comments \n\t\t\t(Washington, DC) - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) issued the following statement in response to racist comments made by Governor Schwarzenegger: The Governor's racist comments were disgusting, but frankly not surprising. He has shown a consistent pattern of insensitive statements and actions that are not befitting of a governor. This type of statement would be unacceptable from anyone, but is particularly appalling from the governor of one of the most diverse states in the nation. ### \n\t\n\t \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\n \n\t \t \n\t\t \n\t\t \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://lee.house.gov/news/press-releases/congress-investigates-ineffectiveness-of-abstinence-only-earmark-in-fighting-global-aids", "Congress Investigates Ineffectiveness of Abstinence-Only Earmark in Fighting Global AIDS", "2006-09-06", "2006", "2006-09", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "09.06.06\n\t\t\t Congress Investigates Ineffectiveness of Abstinence-Only Earmark in Fighting Global AIDS \n\t\t\t(Washington, DC) Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) questioned witnesses today at a hearing held by the House Government Reform Committee Subcommittee on National Security, Emerging Threats, and International Relations about recent evidence that U.S. efforts to stop the global spread of AIDS are being undermined by a requirement that one third of prevention funds be spent on abstinence-only programs. In April 2006 the Government Accountability Office (GAO) issued a report that found that the abstinence-only earmark is posing challenges to the majority of countries hardest hit by the AIDS epidemic. Lee, who co-authored the 2003 legislation that created the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), recently introduced legislation that would repeal the abstinence-only requirements. The following is her statement (as prepared): The issue before us today is a critically important one. Do we neglect evidenced based public health prevention strategies in order to satisfy an arbitrary ideological prevention policy? Do we put AIDS funding towards meeting the local needs and priorities of people in Africa, the Caribbean and the developing world, or towards meeting the priorities of politicians in Washington, D.C? The answers should be obvious. But the unfortunate truth today is that our global AIDS prevention policy is being driven in large part by the need to fulfill an arbitrary funding earmark that has no basis in science, and that according to the GAO, may be hindering the overall battle against the global HIV/AIDS pandemic. Let me be clear, as a co-author and a co-sponsor of the original legislation which established PEPFAR in 2003, I believe very strongly in the power and the promise of our global AIDS programs. I very much appreciate the work being done by Ambassador Dybul and his office here in Washington, along with the work of all US personnel and NGO's in the field who are working on this issue. They are doing critical, lifesaving work every day in difficult conditions and their work should be applauded. But at the same time I believe very strongly that we should not be tying their hands by requiring them to meet an unproven abstinence-only-until marriage earmark. I know our first two panelists will assert, as they must, that the earmark is not burdensome and that US prevention programs still fund a range of activities beyond abstinence as part of the ABC (Abstain, Be faithful, use a Condom) approach. But according to GAO, the evidence says otherwise. The very fact that the Office of the Global AIDS Coordinator allows US country teams to seek an exemption from complying with the earmark indicates that they recognize it is a burden. It is time for us to end this earmark once and for all, and I have introduced H.R. 5674, the PATHWAY Act to do just that. My bill would also address the growing toll that HIV/AIDS is taking on women and girls throughout the developing world by requiring the President to develop a comprehensive, integrated and culturally appropriate HIV prevention strategy to address the key factors that contribute to gender disparities in the rate of HIV infection. Such factors include, for example: empowering women and girls to avoid cross-generational sex and early or child marriage; increasing access to female condoms; addressing gender-based violence, rape and sexual coercion; supporting the development of micro-enterprise initiatives, job training programs, and income generating programs; encouraging the creation and effective enforcement of legal frameworks that guarantee equal rights and protection for women and girls; promoting gender equality and the development of civil society organizations focused on women; I want to thank Chairman Shays, Ranking Member Waxman and Ranking Member Kucinich for their co-sponsorship of the PATHWAY Act. I hope that today's hearing can shed further light on how this abstinence-only earmark is actually being implemented in the field, and I look forward to continuing to work with the administration and colleagues on both sides of the aisle to strengthen our HIV/AIDS programs. ### \n\t\n\t \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\n \n\t \t \n\t\t \n\t\t \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://lee.house.gov/news/press-releases/barbara-lee-responds-to-the-census-bureaus-new-report-on-poverty-in-america", "Barbara Lee Responds to the Census Bureaus New Report on Poverty in America", "2006-08-28", "2006", "2006-08", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "08.28.06\n\t\t\t Barbara Lee Responds to the Census Bureau's New Report on Poverty in America \n\t\t\t(New Orleans, LA) Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) responded to a report released by the Census Bureau today that approximately 37 million Americans are living below the poverty line, roughly the same amount as last year. Between 2000 and 2005 the number of people living in poverty increased by an average of more than one million per year. \"If the best thing that you can say about the Bush administration and the Republican Congress is that after five years, poverty isn't getting any worse, then I think it is clear we need a new direction,\" said Lee. \"You don't have to look any further than New Orleans to understand that his administration and the Republican Congress have turned a blind eye to the poverty crisis in the United States. They have bent over backwards to give tax breaks to the wealthy; while over a million more people became uninsured, the minimum wage remains stagnant, and little has been done to address the endemic poverty that played a central role in the devastation of hurricanes Katrina and Rita.\" Last year, Lee introduced a package of three bills designed to make addressing the poverty crisis a national priority. The first bill calls on the President to submit to Congress a plan to eradicate poverty, the second would roll back tax cuts to the wealthiest 5 percent of Americans to pay for poverty alleviation programs and the third would require Congress to review the potential poverty impact of its legislative activities before passing legislation. ### \n\t\n\t \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\n \n\t \t \n\t\t \n\t\t \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://lee.house.gov/news/press-releases/barbara-lees-statement-on-the-anniversary-of-hurricane-katrina", "Barbara Lees Statement on the Anniversary of Hurricane Katrina", "2006-08-28", "2006", "2006-08", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "08.28.06\n\t\t\t Barbara Lee's Statement on the Anniversary of Hurricane Katrina \n\t\t\t(Oakland, CA) Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) issued the following statement on the upcoming anniversary of hurricane Katrina: A year ago hurricanes Katrina and Rita devastated New Orleans and the Gulf Coast. One year later, it is clear that the Bush administration has failed to make good on its promises to the region, and we need to demand more. It is not simply that reconstruction efforts have languished, and well connected corporations have reaped the rewards while tens of thousands remain displaced. It is not simply that there has been little in the way of accountability, and Americans have little assurance that our government is better prepared to respond in a competent fashion to future natural or man made calamities. What is most troubling is the stubborn refusal, one year later, to acknowledge or do ANYTHING to address the endemic poverty and structural inequity that played a central role in the devastating nature of this disaster. Everyone was touched by the outpouring of generosity and concern shown by Americans in the wake of the tragedy. I believe that our country deserves a government as good as its people, and that means a real commitment to reconstruction that prioritizes the needs of Gulf Coast residents, it means accountability and the assurance that we have an emergency management system that works, but most of all it means taking on the national poverty crisis that contributed to the devastation of this storm and continues unabated. Over the last year Congresswoman Lee has led efforts to aid survivors and advocate for a robust reconstruction effort that prioritizes the needs of Gulf Coast residents. She traveled to the region twice, most recently for Financial Services Committee field hearings on reconstruction and housing for survivors. Her office also helped coordinate assistance for survivors who came to the East Bay. She led the fight in the House to prevent FEMA from evicting survivors, she introduced H.R. 4633, the HIV/AIDS Emergency Hurricane Relief Act to provide assistance to people living with AIDS who were displaced and she worked to develop the housing and poverty sections of the Congressional Black Caucus' comprehensive reconstruction and recovery bill, H.R. 4197. ### \n\t\n\t \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\n \n\t \t \n\t\t \n\t\t \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://lee.house.gov/news/press-releases/barbara-lee-to-visit-gulf-coast-on-the-anniversary-of-hurricane-katrina", "Barbara Lee to Visit Gulf Coast on the Anniversary of Hurricane Katrina", "2006-08-24", "2006", "2006-08", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "08.24.06\n\t\t\t Barbara Lee to Visit Gulf Coast on the Anniversary of Hurricane Katrina \n\t\t\tOakland, CA -U.S. House Rep. Barbara Lee announced that she will travel to the Gulf Coast Region to mark the anniversary of Hurricane Katrina (August 27-30, 2006). It's been a year since Katrina and Rita devastated New Orleans and the Gulf Coast. And since the Bush administration has failed to make good on its promises to the region, it's important that as a federal legislator, I be on the ground and add my voice to many others that are demanding more from this Administration and this Congress, said Rep. Lee, a member of the Democratic Caucus Katrina Task Force. I will join our brothers and sisters in prayer and reflection. I have and will continue to work with the citizens of the region to push for a new direction that rejuvenates and restores their lives, homes and livelihoods. The California lawmaker will be traveling with a delegation of roughly 20 House Democrats, led by her colleagues from the Gulf Coast and the Democratic Caucus Katrina Task Force. The purpose of the trip is not only to join Gulf Coast citizens in prayer and reflection, but to do some work to help rebuild the region. The delegation of Democratic Lawmakers will host a town hall meeting in Bay St. Lewis to discuss insurance claims and coverage, a complicated hurdle in the rebuilding process. Lawmakers will also host a policy forum with local elected officials and experts to discuss the challenges the people of the Gulf Coast still face a year after the disaster. The issues to be discussed will include housing, health care, transportation, fisheries, environment and education. We never know when disaster will strike our community, whether it is natural or a terrorist attack, continued Rep. Lee. We must learn from the experiences of the Gulf Coast region and be prepared to respond effectively and efficiently next time. In July Rep. Lee joined the House Democratic Caucus to unanimously approve a resolution to establish Saturday, August 26 and Sunday, August 27, 2006 as a Time for National Prayer and Remembrance for the victims of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Over the last year Congresswoman Lee has led efforts to aid hurricane survivors and advocate for a robust reconstruction effort that prioritizes the needs of Gulf Coast residents. She traveled to the region twice, most recently for Financial Services Committee field hearings on reconstruction and housing for survivors. Her office also helped coordinate assistance for survivors who came to the East Bay. She led the fight in the House to prevent FEMA from evicting survivors, she introduced H.R. 4633, the HIV/AIDS Emergency Hurricane Relief Act to provide assistance to people living with AIDS who were displaced and she worked to develop the housing and poverty sections of the Congressional Black Caucus' comprehensive reconstruction and recovery bill, H.R. 4197. ### \n\t\n\t \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\n \n\t \t \n\t\t \n\t\t \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://lee.house.gov/news/press-releases/barbara-lee-holds-town-hall-meeting-to-unveil-agenda-for-a-new-direction-for-america", "Barbara Lee Holds Town Hall Meeting to Unveil Agenda for a \"New Direction for America\"", "2006-08-18", "2006", "2006-08", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "08.18.06\n\t\t\t Barbara Lee Holds Town Hall Meeting to Unveil Agenda for a \"New Direction for America\" \n\t\t\t(Oakland, CA) As Californians face record gas prices, soaring healthcare costs, stagnating wages and rising inflation, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) held a town hall meeting to unveil a new Democratic legislative agenda designed to provide a New Direction for America. Five and a half years of failed Bush administration policies have left our country less safe and closed the door of opportunity to millions of Americans it's time for a new direction, said Lee. East Bay residents and local experts detailed the local impact of failed Bush administration policies and discussed specific policies designed to create real security, help working families, make healthcare more affordable, cut college costs, ensure dignified retirement and lower gas prices and achieve energy independence. Financial Aid professionals are concerned with the rising costs of higher education and the stagnant funding for financial aid. Pell Grants have not increased in five years, students are more dependent on expensive loan programs, and the cost effective and efficient direct loan program is in jeopardy. All of these issues have a direct impact of the quality of life and opportunities for our youth, said Priscilla Muha, Associate Director of Financial Aid at UC Berkeley. \"It is important that America redirect its energy policy to one that will lead us toward independence from foreign oil, create new and good jobs, and help protect our environment for generations to come,\" said Jerome Ringo, president of the Apollo Alliance. In addition to Muha and Ringo, participants also heard from Oakland Fire Chief Daniel Farrell, who discussed Homeland Security; Shirley M. Bordelon, Health Insurance Specialist, who discussed affordable health care; Wendall Chin, Coalition Director, Alameda County Central Labor Council, who talked about jobs and the economy; and Betty Mulholland, Congresswoman Lee's Delegate to the White House Conference on Aging, who talked about ensuring retirement security. ### \n\t\n\t \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\n \n\t \t \n\t\t \n\t\t \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://lee.house.gov/news/press-releases/barbara-lee-calls-for-focus-on-african-americans-at-xvi-international-aids-conference", "Barbara Lee Calls for Focus on African Americans at XVI International AIDS Conference", "2006-08-13", "2006", "2006-08", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "08.13.06\n\t\t\t Barbara Lee Calls for Focus on African Americans at XVI International AIDS Conference \n\t\t\t(Toronto, Canada) U.S. Representative Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) faulted the Bush administration's failure to address the toll that AIDS is taking on African Americans in the U.S. and called for increased funding for prevention and treatment at the XVI International AIDS Conference in Toronto this weekend. AIDS is devastating the African American community and the Bush administration and the Republican Congress have just turned their backs, said Lee, who serves as the Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus Global AIDS Taskforce. We need a real commitment to increasing funding for the Minority AIDS Initiative, and we have to begin to address the economic and social issues that contribute the prevalence of AIDS in our community. Lee pointed to her home district in Alameda County, California as an example of both the scale of the problem and the potential for innovative solutions. In my district in Alameda County over 6,600 cases of AIDS have been diagnosed since 1980, nearly 4,000 people have died and well over 40 percent of those people are African Americans, said Lee. In 1998 we were the first to declare a State of Emergency as it relates to HIV/AIDS in the African American community, which allowed us to tap into additional funding to combat the disease. It also inspired the creation of a community wide taskforce that included local AIDS service organizations, elected officials, and the county health department to ensure that there was a focused response to this epidemic that targeted the African American community. Lee has led a number of legislative initiatives to address issues related to African Americans and AIDS. In 2005, the House of Representatives passed her resolution supporting the goals of National Black AIDS Awareness Day. She has introduced legislation aimed at ensuring continuing care and treatment for Gulf Coast residents living with HIV/AIDS who were displaced by hurricanes Katrina and Rita, and later this year she will introduce legislation to allow the distribution of condoms in federal prisons and to develop a strategy to reduce HIV and other STIs in prisons. Lee has also introduced legislation (H.R. 2553, the REAL Act) to end abstinence-only sex education in the United States and replace it with medically accurate, comprehensive sex education. Lee has led Congressional efforts to shape global AIDS policy to address the fact that the global AIDS pandemic disproportionately affects people of African descent. As the lead author of the Global AIDS and Tuberculosis Relief Act of 2000 and the principal co-author of legislation establishing the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), Congresswoman Barbara Lee's accomplishments in promoting effective, bipartisan measures to stop the spread of HIV/AIDS and bring treatment to the infected have earned her international recognition as a leader in the fight against the HIV/AIDS pandemic. She is the only member of the United States Congress to participate in every International AIDS Conference since 2000. ### \n\t\n\t \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\n \n\t \t \n\t\t \n\t\t \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://lee.house.gov/news/press-releases/barbara-lee-to-receive-mlk-freedom-award-lee-recognized-by-national-progressive-baptist-convention-for-work-on-civil-and-human-rights", "Barbara Lee to Receive MLK Freedom Award Lee Recognized by National Progressive Baptist Convention for Work on Civil and Human Rights", "2006-08-09", "2006", "2006-08", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "08.09.06\n\t\t\t Barbara Lee to Receive MLK Freedom Award Lee Recognized by National Progressive Baptist Convention for Work on Civil and Human Rights \n\t\t\t(Cincinnati, OH) On Friday, August 11th Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) will receive the Martin Luther King Jr. Freedom Award from the Progressive National Baptist Convention as the organization celebrates the 45th anniversary of its founding in Cincinnati, Ohio. Lee was chosen for the award for her outstanding contributions to the cause of civil and human rights. I am deeply honored to receive the Martin Luther King Jr. Freedom Award for my contributions in the areas of civil rights and human rights, said Lee. To me, one of the central lessons that Dr. King taught us was that civil rights and human rights are inextricably bound together in the larger struggle for justice. Previous recipients of the award include Rosa Parks, Harry Belafonte, Johnny Cochran, John Conyers, Ron Daniels, Frank Chikane, Sam Kobia, Alexis Herman, Fred Shuttlesworth, Otis Moss Jr. and Rev. Jesse Jackson. The award will be presented by Rev. Dr. J. Alfred Smith, of Allen Temple Baptist Church in Oakland. ### \n\t\n\t \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\n \n\t \t \n\t\t \n\t\t \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://lee.house.gov/news/press-releases/barbara-lee-holds-community-meeting-on-wachovia-merger-ranking-member-of-financial-services-committee-is-special-guest", "Barbara Lee Holds Community Meeting on Wachovia Merger Ranking Member of Financial Services Committee Is Special Guest", "2006-08-03", "2006", "2006-08", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "08.03.06\n\t\t\t Barbara Lee Holds Community Meeting on Wachovia Merger Ranking Member of Financial Services Committee Is Special Guest \n\t\t\t(Oakland, CA) - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) hosted a public meeting to receive testimony from residents of the Ninth U.S. Congressional District, community-based organizations and community leaders on the impact the Golden West Financial Wachovia merger could have locally and to hear from Wachovia regarding its commitments to California and the local community. The meeting took place at the federal building in Oakland and featured Ranking Member of the House Financial Services Committee, Congressman Barney Frank (D-MA). It is critical that we make sure that this merger truly benefits California and the East Bay, particularly communities that have been traditionally underserved by financial service institutions, said Lee. I am committed to making sure that everyone from our community has a seat at the table and has their voice heard, and that's what this forum today is about. As the most senior Democrat on the House Financial Services Committee, Congressman Frank brought a significant amount of insight and experience to the meeting. Frank played a key role in getting Bank of American to make a significant commitment to Boston when it acquired Boston-based Fleet Bank in 2004. I am glad to join Congresswoman Barbara Lee, and to work with her to ensure the Community Reinvestment Act is fully implemented, said Frank. Since the merger was announced, Lee has been working to ensure that the merger is a win-win proposition for Wachovia for the East Bay and for California. She led a group of Representatives in writing to Wachovia CEO, Ken Thompson, and organized meetings between Wachovia representatives and local stakeholders to address concerns such as establishing and expanding branches in underserved communities; ensuring diversity of top executives, board members and suppliers; implementing an economic development plan for California and the East Bay; and developing a Community Reinvestment Act plan for California. Wachovia recently announced that it would establish its western regional headquarters in Oakland, addressing one of the concerns raised in the meetings with Lee and stakeholders. ### \n\t\n\t \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\n \n\t \t \n\t\t \n\t\t \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://lee.house.gov/news/press-releases/barbara-lee-responds-to-iraqi-pms-speech", "Barbara Lee Responds to Iraqi PMs Speech", "2006-07-26", "2006", "2006-07", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "07.26.06\n\t\t\t Barbara Lee Responds to Iraqi PM's Speech \n\t\t\t(Washington, DC) Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) released the following statement in response to Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki's address to a joint session of Congress today: I listened to the Iraqi Prime Minister's speech today before a joint session of Congress and, quite frankly, it sounded like it was written more with the interests of the White House in mind than the people on the streets of Baghdad. With 80 percent of the Iraqi people opposed to our continued presence, there is a fundamental disconnect between his words and the reality on the ground. The only true way to ensure a long and sustain relationship with a peaceful and secure Iraq is to end the occupation and bring our troops home. ### \n\t\n\t \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\n \n\t \t \n\t\t \n\t\t \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://lee.house.gov/news/press-releases/barbara-lee-votes-against-india-nuclear-deal", "Barbara Lee Votes Against India Nuclear Deal", "2006-07-26", "2006", "2006-07", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "07.26.06\n\t\t\t Barbara Lee Votes Against India Nuclear Deal \n\t\t\t(Washington, DC) Tonight, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) voted against a bill that would lift restrictions on U.S. nuclear aid to India, citing the measure's failures to address concerns that it would undermine international nuclear nonproliferation efforts. The problem with the deal, as it is currently written, is that it will do lasting harm to more than thirty years of international efforts to stop the spread of nuclear weapons, said Lee. It creates a double standard that undermines our efforts to stop countries like Iran from developing nuclear weapons, it sets a dangerous precedent that Pakistan and China are likely to follow, and it could help feed a nuclear arms race in South Asia. We have no guarantee that we will not be supplying India raw materials and technology that indirectly allow India to increase its bomb making capacity. The bill passed by a vote of 359-68. Lee led efforts to try to amend the measure. When it came before the House International Relations Committee on which she sits, she offered an amendment that would have required India to ratify the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty. It was defeated on a vote of 4-36, with two Republicans, Chris Smith of New Jersey and Jim Leach of Iowa voting for the amendment. Yesterday, she offered another amendment that would have required India to declare all of its civilian nuclear facilities and open them to international inspections, commit not to assist non-nuclear states in acquiring nuclear weapons, and commit, as the U.S and other nuclear states have, to taking concrete steps towards eventual disarmament. Her second amendment was not made in order. Virtually everyone agrees that it is in our country's interest to strengthen our relationship with India, but to suggest that we can do so only at the expense of the international non-proliferation standards is both dishonest and dangerous, said Lee. As far as I am concerned, there is no country for which it would be acceptable to sacrifice our international standards. ### \n\t\n\t \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\n \n\t \t \n\t\t \n\t\t \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://lee.house.gov/news/press-releases/barbara-lee-india-nuclear-deal-will-undermine-nonproliferation-efforts", "BARBARA LEE: India Nuclear Deal Will Undermine Nonproliferation Efforts", "2006-07-25", "2006", "2006-07", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "07.25.06\n\t\t\t BARBARA LEE: India Nuclear Deal Will Undermine Nonproliferation Efforts \n\t\t\t(Washington, DC) U.S. Representatives Barbara Lee (D-Oakland), Ed Markey (D-MA), Dennis Kucinich (D-OH) and Diane Watson (D-CA) held a press conference on Capitol Hill today to share concerns about the proposed deal to lift restrictions on U.S. nuclear aid to India that the House will vote on tomorrow. The following is Congresswoman Lee's statement: I want to thank Congressman Markey for co-hosting this press conference with me and for his outstanding leadership on the issue on nuclear nonproliferation. I'd also like to thank our colleagues for joining us. We are all here today to express our concerns about the India nuclear deal that Congress will vote on tomorrow. This deal proposes lifting the current restrictions on the US providing nuclear materials and technology to India. The problem with the deal, as it is currently written, is that it will do lasting harm to more than thirty years of international efforts to stop the spread of nuclear weapons. This deal creates a double standard that undermines our efforts to stop countries like Iran from developing nuclear weapons. The U.S. is pressuring Iran (an NPT member) not to develop nuclear technology while at the same time attempting to supply India (a non-NPT member) with similar nuclear technology. This deal creates incentives for withdrawing from the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. It may encourage countries like Brazil and South Korea to reexamine their commitment to the NPTwhy have they spent all these years playing by the rules and not building nuclear weapons in exchange for civilian technology, when India gets both? This deal sets a dangerous precedent. If this deal goes through, are we prepared to accept the likelihood that Pakistan and China will pursue a similar deal? In explaining Beijing's rationale for potentially pursuing a deal with Pakistan, Shen Dingli, a professor of international relations at China's Fudan University has already argued, \"If the U.S. can violate [the nuclear rules], then we can violate them.\" This deal could help feed a nuclear arms race in South Asia. We have no guarantee that we will not be supplying India raw materials and technology that indirectly allow India to increase its bomb making capacity. Proponents of the deal stress the strategic importance of the U.S.-India bilateral relationship and suggest that India can be trusted as a responsible steward of its nuclear weapons. That may very well be true, but it is not the point. Proponents of this deal have failed to answer how, if we make exceptions to the nuclear rules for this one country, we can expect that other countries will feel bound by those rules. Virtually everyone agrees that it is in our country's interest to strengthen our relationship with India, but to suggest that we can do so only at the expense of the international non-proliferation standards is both dishonest and dangerous. So let's be clear: this is not about India. As far as I am concerned, there is no country for which it would be acceptable to sacrifice our international standards. We should be fighting to save what is left of the international nonproliferation framework, not just throwing it away. The Bush administration has been openly hostile to a multilateral, diplomatic approach to arms control, but the fact is that treaties like the NPT have been remarkably effective. One very real danger of quietly abandoning the NPT is that with it we discard the basis for the international consensus in opposing the unconstrained nuclear ambitions of North Korea and Iran and open the door to a nuclear weapons free-for-all. The Bush administration's unilateral, military approach to arms control has crumbled in the face of challenges and made the world a far more dangerous place. It hardly represents a viable alternative to the very successful multilateral and diplomatic approach that has been pursued for four decades. We need to go back to the drawing board and make sure this proposed nuclear cooperation agreement maintains international non-proliferation goals. The most desirable scenario would be for India to formally commit to the goals and restrictions on the international nonproliferation framework and sign the nuclear nonproliferation treaty. Short of that, we must insist on specific non-proliferation safeguards. India must prove that the materials and technology provided by the U.S. for civilian purposes will not be used in India's military facilities, and that all reactors that supply electricity to the civilian sector in India are declared and come under a regime of international inspections. India must also be required to undertake a binding obligation, just as nuclear weapon states under the NPT do, not to assist, encourage or induce non-nuclear weapon states to manufacture or otherwise acquire nuclear weapons. Finally, India must commit to taking concrete steps toward disarmament, including commitments to stop fissile material production for weapons, reduce its nuclear stockpile and eventually eliminate all nuclear weapons. Without these commitments, Congress should reject the proposed India nuclear deal. ###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://lee.house.gov/news/press-releases/india-nuclear-deal-press-conference", "India Nuclear Deal Press Conference", "2006-07-25", "2006", "2006-07", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", null, 0, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://lee.house.gov/news/press-releases/barbara-lees-statement-on-hres-921", "Barbara Lees Statement on H.Res. 921", "2006-07-18", "2006", "2006-07", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "07.18.06\n\t\t\t Barbara Lee's Statement on H.Res. 921 \n\t\t\t(Washington, DC) Congresswoman Barbara lee (D-Oakland) gave the following statement on H.Res. 921: Mr. Speaker, I join those who condemn the recent kidnapping of Israeli soldiers and rocket attacks into Israel, and I rise in strong support of Israel's right to protect and defend itself from attacks in accordance with international law, including Article 51 of the United Nations Charter. However, the resolution before us goes much further than that and it also omits any mention of how and why the United States should exert its leadership in stopping the violence. I strongly believe this is so critical at this stage. Too many people, Israelis Lebanese and Palestinians, have been killed, and there is no end in sight. Mr. Speaker, very seldom do I cast a present vote but in this instance, I will. Let me explain why: This resolution reaffirms our support for Israel, demands that the government of Lebanon do everything in its power to find and free the kidnapped Israeli soldiers and to gain control of its borders in order to prevent future attacks. It also condemns Hamas and Hezbollah for killing Israeli soldiers, and for indiscriminately targeting Israeli civilians. And it recognizes the plight of the families of the innocent victims. These provisions warrant our support and certainly send a strong message in support of Israel. On the other hand, there are provisions in this resolution that are unfinished, or missing, and that leave this resolution incomplete. This resolution ought to make it clear that the United States will not support a strategy of the use of military force or regime change against Iran or Syria. This resolution leaves the door open for such a course of action. This resolution ought to make it clear that the only way to remove the threat to Israel, and to the larger region, is to resolve these issues through an immediate ceasefire and commit the United States to high-level and sustained diplomacy in support of the Road Map and other initiatives. This resolution does not address how to end the escalating violence that does real violence and harm to Israel's long-term interests in living in peace with her neighbors. This resolution should offer concrete steps on how to achieve peace and security for Israel and the region. This resolution says nothing about advancing the peace process. Mr. Speaker, the bottom line is there is absolutely no military resolution to the issues confronting this region -- notwithstanding the acts of self-defense to which Israel may have resorted. If we don't put a stop to all hostilities today, what's to stop future violence with more technologically advanced weapons systems, rockets with even longer ranges? Where does it end? Is war the only answer? Israel's security and a sustained peace that includes a two state solution cannot be achieved militarily. The only option, the only hope is a political solution to this crisis and for a lasting peace. That's why, Mr. Speaker, it is imperative for all parties to return to internationally recognized borders and for parties to resume urgent, multilateral diplomatic efforts including a return to the Roadmap, implement UN resolutions, and full engagement by the Quartet. What we should be doing today is imploring both sides to agree to a ceasefire, insist on the return of hostages, and agree to an international security force. That is why I am cosponsor of H.Con.Res. 450, a resolution introduced by the gentleman from Ohio, Mr. Kucinich, that I believe presents a more appropriately realistic solution to this crisis. Mr. Speaker, the road ahead may be long and challenging, but it is one that we must tread for the sake of peace and security and stability in region-and the world. If we can reach the end of that road then our ally Israel will find the peace and security that she and her people rightly deserve. ### \n\t\n\t \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\n \n\t \t \n\t\t \n\t\t \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://lee.house.gov/news/press-releases/barbara-lee-lauds-wachovia-decision-to-open-oakland-hq", "Barbara Lee Lauds Wachovia Decision to Open Oakland HQ", "2006-07-17", "2006", "2006-07", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "07.17.06\n\t\t\t Barbara Lee Lauds Wachovia Decision to Open Oakland HQ \n\t\t\t(Washington, DC) Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) called Wachovia Corporation's announcement today that it will make its West Coast home in Oakland after the merger with Oakland-based Golden West Financial good news for Oakland and vowed to continue to work to ensure that the merger benefits the East Bay. This is a great first step towards making sure that this deal is a winner for Oakland and the East Bay, said Lee. We asked Wachovia to make a commitment to our city, to making this their base as they expand their west coast operations, and they have done that. Lee and community organizations met with representatives from Wachovia after the proposed merger was announced to ask the company to take steps to address the needs of California and the local community; making Oakland the headquarters of the company's west coast operations was at the top of the list of concerns. I am pleased that they are listening to our concerns, Lee said. Lee made it clear that she will continue to work with Wachovia and community organizations to ensure that other concerns are addressed, such as establishing and expanding branches in underserved communities; ensuring diversity of top executives and board members; implementing an economic development plan for California and the East Bay; and Developing a Community Reinvestment Act plan for California are addressed. I look forward to continuing to with Wachovia and our community stakeholders to ensure that this merger is a win-win proposition for Wachovia for the East Bay and for California, said Lee. ### \n\t\n\t \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\n \n\t \t \n\t\t \n\t\t \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://lee.house.gov/news/press-releases/barbara-lee-speaks-out-against-federal-marriage-amendment", "Barbara Lee Speaks Out Against Federal Marriage Amendment", "2006-07-17", "2006", "2006-07", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "07.17.06\n\t\t\t Barbara Lee Speaks Out Against Federal Marriage Amendment \n\t\t\t(Washington, DC) As the House debated a constitutional ban on same sex marriages that the Senate had already defeated, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) spoke in forceful opposition to the proposed Federal Marriage Amendment on the House floor today. The following is her statement: Of course I stand in strong opposition to H. J. Res 88. This amendment seeks to enshrine and it does enshrine discrimination into our Constitution. And as an African-American woman, and as a person of faith, there is no way that I can support discriminating against anybody. The history of our nation has been a long process of bringing people of different backgrounds together. This amendment would take everything that this nation stands for as, a beacon of hope, a land of opportunity, and a tolerant democratic society, and turn it all on its head. Government should not be in the business of discriminating against its people, pure and simple. Government should not get into the personal lives of individuals. We must reject this hateful and discriminating amendment. It takes an extraordinary step that previous amendments have not taken it bars states from granting pretty much any legal partnership, such as civil unions or domestic partnerships. Congress is supposed to work to promote a better life for all Americans. That means improving our nation's education system, working to provide healthcare for the 47 million uninsured, ensuring that people have a roof over their head. We must see this amendment for what it really is. It is clearly election year pandering. It is an attempt to create a diversion from the real issues that this Congress should be dealing with. ### \n\t\n\t \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\n \n\t \t \n\t\t \n\t\t \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://lee.house.gov/news/press-releases/barbara-lee-calls-for-reauthorization-of-the-voting-rights-act", "Barbara Lee Calls for Reauthorization of the Voting Rights Act", "2006-07-13", "2006", "2006-07", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "07.13.06\n\t\t\t Barbara Lee Calls for Reauthorization of the Voting Rights Act \n\t\t\t(Washington, DC) Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) joined with members of the Congressional Black Caucus, Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) and Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC) in calling for the reauthorization of the Voting Rights Act and opposing amendments designed to gut the historic civil rights legislation. Her statement from the House floor follows: Let me thank Mr. Conyers for your leadership and for yielding. And also to Chairman Sensenbrenner and to Congressman Mel Watt, our Chair of the Black Caucus, for your leadership in ensuring that the re-authorization of the voting rights act did not become a Democratic or Republican issue but an American issue. \"The right to vote is the heart and soul of our democracy, and I vividly remember the days of Jim Crow and segregation, the poll tax, the humiliation and degradation of African-Americans not so long ago. The Voting Rights Act of 1965 passed just one year after I graduated from high school. While much progress has been made, voter suppression and voter intimidation continues. There is no way that I would be standing here on this floor as a Member of Congress had it not been for the bloodshed and sacrifices and deaths of so many, including our own great warrior, Congressman John Lewis, in fighting for the right of all Americans to vote. So in the spirit and memory of Fannie Lou Hamer and Rosa Parks and Coretta Scott King, let's pass this bipartisan legislation without any amendments so that America can be true to its ideal of liberty and justice for all. Today, let us let the world know that we do practice what we preach and that we stand for democracy here at home. I want to thank Congressmen Conyers, Watt, and Sensenbrenner again for making this an American issue. ### \n\t\n\t \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\n \n\t \t \n\t\t \n\t\t \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://lee.house.gov/news/press-releases/barbara-lee-introduces-bill-to-promote-us-caribbean-educational-exchange", "Barbara Lee Introduces Bill to Promote U.S.-Caribbean Educational Exchange", "2006-07-12", "2006", "2006-07", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "07.12.06\n\t\t\t Barbara Lee Introduces Bill to Promote U.S.-Caribbean Educational Exchange \n\t\t\t(Washington, DC) Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) introduced legislation to promote educational exchange between the United States and Caribbean nations. Educational exchange programs are universally recognized as one of the best means to support economic development and promote democratic values, but for years we have taken our third border' to the south for granted, said Lee. This bill will help close that critical gap, by strengthening relations with our Caribbean neighbors and offering new opportunities for both Caribbean and American future leaders. Lee's bill, the Shirley Chisholm U.S.-Caribbean Educational Exchange Act of 2006, would establish in the State Department's Office of Public Diplomacy a U.S.-Caribbean educational exchange program for high school, undergraduate and graduate students, and scholars. It would also enable the U.S. Agency for International Development to develop a regional strategy to expand existing early education initiatives, and it would allow both State Department and USAID to use public-private partnerships to implement the program. The measure would give preference to Caribbean Community (CARICOM) countries, but includes eligible participants from the broader Caribbean in Latin America. It was introduced with the support of 31 co-sponsors. Many Caribbean leaders have received post-secondary education in the United States, and have used their different fields of training to strengthen Caribbean democracy and community involvement. From 2003-2005, 217 Caribbean leaders participated in U.S. exchange programs that centered on innovative ways to fight drug trafficking, anticorruption and good governance policies. Lee believes her bill is necessary to continue and expand on these efforts. The bill was named for the late Shirley Chisholm -- the first Black woman elected to Congress, who was of Guyanese and Barbadian descent. Lee, who got involved in politics after working on Chisholm's 1972 presidential campaign, has been a champion of Caribbean issues, most recently leading the Congressional effort to get June named as Caribbean American Heritage month. ### \n\t\n\t \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\n \n\t \t \n\t\t \n\t\t \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://lee.house.gov/news/press-releases/awards-highlight-conscience-courage-of-lees-work", "Awards Highlight Conscience, Courage of Lees Work", "2006-07-07", "2006", "2006-07", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "07.07.06\n\t\t\t Awards Highlight Conscience, Courage of Lee's Work \n\t\t\t(Washington, DC) Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) is scheduled to receive two awards next week that highlight the conscience and courage that define her work in Congress on issues ranging from war and genocide to AIDS and healthcare. There are many life and death issues like AIDS, genocide, human rights and global security and peace that we are faced with every day, and I have no option but to try to make this world a better place. I am deeply humbled to receive these awards, said Lee. On Monday, July 10th, she will receive the Lifetime of Peacemaking Award from the Baptist Peace Fellowship in a ceremony at the Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta, Georgia during the organization's annual national conference. Lee was chosen to receive the award for her pursuit of alternatives to violence as a foreign policy tool and her efforts to end the genocide in Darfur. On Tuesday, July 11th, Congresswoman Lee and Senator Richard Lugar (R-IN) will be the inaugural recipients of the Houghton-Lewis Award for Conscience, Courage and Compassion from the Faith and Politics Institute at a dinner celebrating the organization's 15th anniversary at the Willard InterContinental Hotel in Washington, DC. She was chosen to receive this award for being a politician who often follows her conscience, even when it conflicts with conventional political wisdom, for being an effective advocate for peace, health care reform and improved education, and for her work to address the global AIDS pandemic. Lee received international attention for her lone vote against giving the Bush administration a blank check to wage war against an undefined enemy in the immediate aftermath of the September 11th, 2001 terrorist attacks. While her controversial vote was attacked as unpatriotic at the time, it cemented her reputation as a principled lawmaker and actually opened doors to collaboration across party lines that has helped make her work even more effective. In the most partisan political atmosphere in recent history, Lee has managed to pass three landmark pieces of legislation to combat the global HIV/AIDS pandemic, including bills to establishing the Global Fund to fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria and the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) and providing focused assistance for orphans and vulnerable children. There are a lot of members of Congress, Republican and Democrat, who have come up to me since then and said I couldn't disagree with your position more, but I know where you stand and I respect the courage it took to cast that vote,' said Lee. When you can connect with other lawmakers on the basis of mutual respect, we can make progress on our goals where there is some agreement, which has allowed me to make some headway on issues like AIDS and Darfur. ### \n\t\n\t \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\n \n\t \t \n\t\t \n\t\t \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://lee.house.gov/news/press-releases/barbara-lee-responds-to-north-korean-missile-tests", "Barbara Lee Responds to North Korean Missile Tests", "2006-07-06", "2006", "2006-07", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "07.06.06\n\t\t\t Barbara Lee Responds to North Korean Missile Tests \n\t\t\t(Washington, DC) Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) released the following statement in response to North Korea's decision to break a seven year old unilateral moratorium and test fire seven missiles on Tuesday: \"I join with people in the United States and around the world in condemning North Korea's provocative actions. When they break their international commitments, as they did in this case, they only undermine their credibility in the world and further isolate their nation. \"North Korea's actions serve to underline the importance of the international community being united against the proliferation of weapons and weapons technology, and the danger of agreements like the proposed India-nuclear deal, which undermine international standards of non-proliferation, and make it that much harder to hold countries like North Korea and Iran to account. ### \n\t\n\t \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\n \n\t \t \n\t\t \n\t\t \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://lee.house.gov/news/press-releases/barbara-lee-condemns-move-to-lift-off-shore-drilling-ban", "Barbara Lee Condemns Move to Lift Off-Shore Drilling Ban", "2006-06-29", "2006", "2006-06", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "06.29.06\n\t\t\t Barbara Lee Condemns Move to Lift Off-Shore Drilling Ban \n\t\t\t(Washington, DC) Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) spoke in strong opposition to H.R. 4761, which would rescind the 25 year old bipartisan moratorium on off-shore oil and gas drilling. The following is her statement:\r\nMr. Speaker, talk about beating a dead horse. Instead of getting tough with the administration's oil and gas cronies, Republicans want to reward them with even more public giveaways.\r\nFirst ANWR, now the Outer Continental Shelf. Republicans would put an oil well on the White House lawn if they could get away with it.\r\nInstead of trotting out the same tired arguments about how the government is oppressing the oil and gas industry by restricting their right to drill, we need a real energy plan that's good for the public, good for business, and good for the environment.\r\nDemocrats know we can't drill our way to energy independence.\r\nWe know that providing energy efficiency incentives will help US business compete long term in the global marketplace. We know that raising CAFE standards will save more energy over the next twenty years than new drilling will produce. And we know that making a profit is not a license to gouge consumers.\r\nDemocrats have a real plan. Unfortunately Republicans can only promise more of the same.\r\nI urge my colleagues to oppose this bill.\r\n### \n\t\n\t \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\n \n\t \t \n\t\t \n\t\t \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://lee.house.gov/news/press-releases/waxman-lee-fair-and-balanced-trade-amendment-passes-house", "Waxman-Lee Fair and Balanced Trade Amendment Passes House", "2006-06-29", "2006", "2006-06", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "06.29.06\n\t\t\t Waxman-Lee Fair and Balanced Trade Amendment Passes House \n\t\t\t(Washington, DC) The House unanimously approved an amendment introduced by Congressman Henry A.Waxman (D-Los Angeles) and Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) designed to increase attention to public health concerns in trade policy during debate last night on the Science-State- Justice-Commerce Appropriations bill. If the only formal advisors for our trade representative are representatives from the pharmaceutical industry, the policy will be biased toward industry and will overlook serious public health concerns, said Lee. This amendment will help make sure that our trade policy is both fair and balanced by ensuring that it is informed by advice from public health experts. Lee and Waxman's amendment will block the use of Science-State-Justice-Commerce funds for Industry Trade Advisory Committees (ITACs) 3 and 15, which advise the U.S. Trade Representative on pharmaceutical and intellectual property negotiations, unless their membership is fairly balanced as required by the Federal Advisory Committee Act. The status quo is unacceptable,\" said Waxman. The longer the USTR delays adding public health representatives to these panels, the more we need to be concerned about biased advice that is resulting in controversial trade policies. In December 2005, the Administration acknowledged the need for more diverse input on these issues. The International Trade Administration issued a Federal Register notice seeking nominations for public health and community health representatives to serve on ITACs 3 and 15. However, more than six months have passed, and despite receiving a number of applications and congressional inquiries, no appointments have been made. According to Waxman and Lee, recent free trade agreements have reflected the influence of the pharmaceutical industry at the expense of public health concerns. The FTAs have extended patent terms and delayed generic competition - moves that increase profits for drug companies, but make it more difficult for governments to respond in the case of a public health crisis. For example, Thailand has initiated a program of universal access to government-subsidized antiretroviral drugs that now reaches 70,000 of 170,000 Thai people living with HIV/AIDS. There is strong concern, however, that the future costs of expanding treatment with newer patented medicines will be prohibitive if provisions included in recent FTAs are included in the pending trade deal with Thailand. ### \n\t\n\t \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\n \n\t \t \n\t\t \n\t\t \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://lee.house.gov/news/press-releases/barbara-lee-acts-to-help-patriot-corporations-protect-us-jobs", "Barbara Lee Acts to Help Patriot Corporations Protect U.S. Jobs", "2006-06-28", "2006", "2006-06", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "06.28.06\n\t\t\t Barbara Lee Acts to Help Patriot Corporations Protect U.S. Jobs \n\t\t\t(Washington, DC) Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) joined with Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky (D-IL) and other members of Congress in announcing the introduction of the Patriot Corporation Act, a bill designed to reward companies who invest in America and its workforce by closing tax loopholes for companies that ship jobs overseas. Today, I'm proud to be here to mark the introduction of the Patriot Corporation Act a bill that would help inject some true patriotism into our system by providing positive incentives for companies to keep their work and their workers here in the U.S, said Lee. It is pretty simple, actually: this bill says enough is enough. Let's close offshoring loopholes and rein in excessive tax breaks so we can help truly patriotic companies do right by our nation and its workers. The Patriot Corporations of America Act would offer preferential treatment for government contracts and a five percent tax rate reduction for companies that meet certain qualifications. To qualify as a Patriot Corporation, a company must produce at least 90 percent of their goods and services in the United States; limit top management compensation to no greater than 10,000 percent of that of their lowest-compensated full-time workers; spend at least 50 percent of their research and development budgets in the United States; contribute at least 5 percent of payroll to a portable pension fund; pay at least 70 percent of the cost of health insurance plans; maintain neutrality in employee organizing drives; and comply with federal regulations regarding the environment, workplace safety, consumer protections and labor relations. The measure is designed to be revenue neutral, and would be paid for by closing corporate offshoring loopholes and reining in some of the new tax breaks for millionaires. Currently, billions of dollars in subsidies, tax breaks, and government contracts are available to companies that outsource jobs, exploit workers, and avoid paying taxes. According to Lee, this only encourages these companies to invest abroad instead of in the American people and the American economy. As we approach the 4th of July holiday and the celebration of our nation's independence, we should be making it easier for patriotic companies to create a real partnership with American workers and invest in our economic future. ### \n\t\n\t \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\n \n\t \t \n\t\t \n\t\t \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://lee.house.gov/news/press-releases/oakland-students-artwork-displayed-in-us-capitol-exhibit-barbara-lee-hosts-local-winner-of-congressional-art-competition", "Oakland Students Artwork Displayed in U.S. Capitol Exhibit Barbara Lee Hosts Local Winner of Congressional Art Competition", "2006-06-28", "2006", "2006-06", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "06.28.06\n\t\t\t Oakland Student's Artwork Displayed in U.S. Capitol Exhibit Barbara Lee Hosts Local Winner of Congressional Art Competition \n\t\t\t(Washington, DC) Congresswoman Barbara Lee hosted Ashley Smith, the Ninth Congressional District winner of the 22nd annual Congressional Art Competition, An Artistic Discovery, for the opening of the exhibit at the US Capitol building today. Ms. Smith's untitled work will be displayed in the U.S. Capitol for the year-long exhibit sponsored by more than 300 Members of Congress. \"We are very proud to have Ashley's work represent our District in the Capitol during the Artistic Discovery exhibit,\" said Lee. \"This is a wonderful way to highlight how art education can enrich the lives of our young people.\" More than 33 high school students from the Ninth Congressional District of California, which includes Alameda, Albany, Berkeley, Castro Valley, Emeryville, Oakland and Piedmont, entered the competition. Ms. Smith's work was chosen in April to represent California's Ninth Congressional District by a panel of judges in Oakland. Ms. Smith lives in Oakland, where she attends the Paul Robeson School for the Arts. \"Art, music and sports are essential to students' development and to our sense of identity, community, and pride,\" said Lee. \"This art contest is very important for our community because it supports artistic expression and rewards high school students for their outstanding accomplishments.\" ### \n\t\n\t \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\n \n\t \t \n\t\t \n\t\t \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://lee.house.gov/news/press-releases/barbara-lee-get-tested-on-national-hiv-testing-day", "Barbara Lee: Get Tested on National HIV Testing Day", "2006-06-27", "2006", "2006-06", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "06.27.06\n\t\t\t Barbara Lee: Get Tested on National HIV Testing Day \n\t\t\t(Washington, DC) Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) today encouraged anyone who is concerned or unaware of his or her HIV status to participate in National HIV Testing Day and to get tested. In a nation where over a quarter of a million people are unaware that they have HIV/AIDS, expanding HIV counseling and testing is critical to stopping this disease, said Lee. I encourage anyone who has any question about their HIV status to get tested today. Testing saves lives and it is one of the simplest things we can do to help stop the spread of HIV/AIDS, said Lee. We have seen this epidemic continue to spread, particularly in the African American community, in part because people don't know that they are infected. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) the number of people living with HIV/AIDS in the United States recently surpassed 1,000,000and more than 25 percent of those who are infected are not even aware of it. Without knowledge of their HIV+ status each of these individuals could potentially spread the disease to countless others. Increasing the availability of HIV tests, especially rapid tests kits, and encouraging individuals to seek out voluntary counseling and testing can make a significant difference in reducing the spread of HIV. In order to combat the stigma surrounding HIV/AIDS and the anxiety involving the test itself, the National Association of People with AIDS, in conjunction with the Center for Disease Control, produces National HIV Testing Day, an annual campaign that culminates on June 27th. This year's theme is Take the test, take control, emphasizing the fact that just getting tested can produce behavioral change regardless of the diagnosis. Last week, Lee introduced a resolution supporting the goals and ideals of National HIV Testing Day in an effort to help stem the spread of HIV/AIDS. Getting tested and talking about how important it is can go a long way towards reducing the stigma and anxiety around HIV, and can encourage others to get tested as well, said Lee. For more information, or to find a local testing site, visit the CDC's website at: http://hivtest.org/. ### \n\t\n\t \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\n \n\t \t \n\t\t \n\t\t \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://lee.house.gov/news/press-releases/barbara-lee-supports-revised-ethiopia-bill", "Barbara Lee Supports Revised Ethiopia Bill", "2006-06-27", "2006", "2006-06", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "06.27.06\n\t\t\t Barbara Lee Supports Revised Ethiopia Bill \n\t\t\t(Washington, DC) Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) spoke out in support of a bipartisan compromise bill designed to provide to support human rights and democracy in Ethiopia, after revisions were made to address concerns about the original, Republican-authored version. I am committed to this bipartisan bill which condemns the use of force, embraces the value of human rights, and supports reconciliation between all parties in Ethiopia, and I am glad that it was revised to incorporate Democratic provisions such as a victim's support network, programs focused on reconciliation and assistance for indigenous human rights groups, said Lee. H.R. 5680, the Ethiopia Freedom, Democracy and Human Rights Advancement Act of 2006 was drafted in response to the violence that shook Ethiopia after the May, 2005 elections. The bill was unanimously approved by the House International Relations Committee today on a voice vote, clearing the way for a vote on the House floor. The revised bill contains key elements that were absent in the earlier version, including legal support to political prisoners; support for victims of torture; support for local human rights groups; language calling for establishment of a program for reconciliation; specific language suspending security assistance besides for peacekeeping and counter-terrorism and more directed travel sanctions and certification provision. The bill also threatens to suspend non-humanitarian aid if the government obstructs U.S. human rights and democracy efforts. This bill contains key provisions that the Republicans had not included. It is now a better bill which will be much more effective, and I am proud to be a cosponsor, said Lee. ### \n\t\n\t \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\n \n\t \t \n\t\t \n\t\t \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://lee.house.gov/news/press-releases/lee-seeks-to-keep-india-nuke-deal-from-weakening-non-proliferation-efforts", "Lee Seeks to Keep India Nuke Deal from Weakening Non-Proliferation Efforts", "2006-06-27", "2006", "2006-06", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "06.27.06\n\t\t\t Lee Seeks to Keep India Nuke Deal from Weakening Non-Proliferation Efforts \n\t\t\t(Washington, DC) Concerned that a proposed deal to share civilian nuclear technology with India will undermine international nonproliferation efforts, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) offered an amendment today that would require India to join the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) as a precondition to receiving nuclear assistance from the U.S. What we do here today will have broad-ranging implications on our efforts to hold Iran and North Korea to international standards, said Lee. I believe that any cooperative agreement must not sacrifice decades of nuclear nonproliferation work by the United States and nonproliferation activists around the world. Lee's amendment, offered during a markup of the deal by the House International Relations Committee, would add an eighth item to the list of determinations that the President must make before the agreement can proceed, namely, the determination that India has ratified the Non-Proliferation Treaty. It was defeated on a vote of 4-36, with two Republicans, Chris Smith of New Jersey and Jim Leach of Iowa voting for the amendment. Some may question whether it is realistic for us to press India to join the NPT, given that it already has nuclear weapons, said Lee. I would turn that around and ask what incentive India will have now to join inas the President has put itthe nonproliferation mainstream' when it can secure valuable agreements like the one we're currently debating when it is outside the mainstream? Under the conditions of the proposed deal, India would open civilian nuclear facilities to international inspections, but their military nuclear facilities would remain closed. Critics of the deal believe that reversing decades of U.S. policy and tacitly allowing India's military nuclear programs to proceed without international oversight will severely undermine the global nuclear non-proliferation regime. Saturday, July 1st, marks the 38th anniversary of the NPT. ### \n\t\n\t \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\n \n\t \t \n\t\t \n\t\t \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://lee.house.gov/news/press-releases/barbara-lees-statement-on-iraq-withdrawal-plan", "Barbara Lees Statement on Iraq Withdrawal Plan", "2006-06-26", "2006", "2006-06", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "06.26.06\n\t\t\t Barbara Lee's Statement on Iraq Withdrawal Plan \n\t\t\t(Washington, DC) Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) released the following statement today in response to news that U.S. military planners are considering a plan that could remove as many as half of U.S. combat troops from Iraq by 2007: I hope that the Bush administration is finally understanding what we have been saying for years, namely that they need a clear, timelined plan for bringing our troops home from Iraq. What remains to be seen is whether they will create a plan with real benchmarks, or a cynical cosmetic drawdown of troops, designed to minimize the impact of Bush's unpopular war at the polls in November. The truth is that the Iraqi people and the American people understand that an open-ended military commitment in Iraq is in nobody's interest. The Casey plan is a positive step, if you consider that there currently is no plan. I believe we need clear benchmarks, a short, precise timetable, and an assurance that when US troops come home, they all come home, meaning no permanent bases. On this last point, the Republican commitment to bringing all of our troops home is in question, given that they have shown their willingness to vote against keeping permanent military bases in Iraq in public, but to privately maneuver to leave the door open for such bases. It seems like only last week that the Bush administration and Republicans in Congress were condemning any consideration of withdrawing U.S. troops from Iraq. I look forward to hearing them explain how they were against having a plan for withdrawal from Iraq before they were for it. ### \n\t\n\t \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\n \n\t \t \n\t\t \n\t\t \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://lee.house.gov/news/press-releases/congresswoman-lee-introduces-legislation-to-reduce-women-and-girls-vulnerability-to-hiv/aids-bill-eliminates-earmark-for-abstinence-only-programs", "Congresswoman Lee Introduces Legislation to Reduce Women and Girls Vulnerability to HIV/AIDS Bill Eliminates Earmark for Abstinence-Only Programs", "2006-06-22", "2006", "2006-06", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "06.22.06\n\t\t\t Congresswoman Lee Introduces Legislation to Reduce Women and Girls' Vulnerability to HIV/AIDS Bill Eliminates Earmark for Abstinence-Only Programs \n\t\t\t(Washington DC) Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee introduced a bill with bipartisan support that would require the President to develop a comprehensive strategy to reduce the vulnerability of women and girls to HIV infection in developing countries and would eliminate the requirement that thirty-three percent of AIDS prevention funds be spent for abstinence-only programs. There is no reason why someone should be more vulnerable to AIDS because she is a woman, but the fact remains that women and girls in developing countries are bearing the brunt of the global HIV/AIDS pandemic, said Lee. Our prevention efforts must be sensitive to the growing gender disparity and must focus on providing women and girls the education and resources they need to protect themselves. An estimated 38.6 million people are living with HIV/AIDS throughout the world today. In sub-Saharan Africa, women make up sixty percent of those infected and seventy-six percent of infections among those fifteen to twenty-four years old. The Protection Against Transmission of HIV for Women and Youth (PATHWAY) Act of 2006, introduced by Congresswoman Lee with the bipartisan support of fifty three other members of Congress, would require the president to address twelve key issues that contribute to gender disparities in the rate of HIV infection. The key issues the administration must address under the PATHWAY Act include the social and cultural factors that contribute to women's vulnerability, such as lack of access to prevention methods, the stigma attached to HIV, as well as discrimination against women, and lack of education. Some of the specific proposals in the bill include increasing access to female condoms; reducing the incidence of cross generational sex and early/child-marriage; reducing violence against women; supporting the development of micro-enterprise and job training programs; expanding educational opportunities; protecting property and inheritance rights; coordinating HIV prevention services with existing health care services; promoting gender equality; and encouraging the creation and enforcement of equal rights for women. The Act also amends the United States Leadership Against HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria Act of 2003 by striking the thirty-three percent earmark for abstinence-until-marriage programs. According to a recent GAO report, the thirty-three percent funding requirement for abstinence programs has forced country offices to cut funding for comprehensive HIV prevention programs, including prevention of mother to child transmission of HIV. Lee's accomplishments in promoting effective, bipartisan measures to stop the spread of HIV/AIDS and bring treatment to the infected have earned her recognition both at home and abroad as a leader in the fight against HIV/AIDS. Lee was a leader in the bipartisan effort to designate $15 billion for the prevention, care, and treatment of HIV/AIDS, TB, and malaria. She authored the bill to establish the framework for the Global Fund to Fight HIV/AIDS and sponsored legislation that allows impoverished countries to purchase generic, cheaper HIV/AIDS drugs. In 2005, she successfully passed and the President signed into law legislation to focus U.S. foreign assistance on the impact of AIDS on orphans and vulnerable children in developing countries. ### \n\t\n\t \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\n \n\t \t \n\t\t \n\t\t \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://lee.house.gov/news/press-releases/barbara-lee-disappointed-with-cancellation-of-voting-rights-vote", "Barbara Lee Disappointed with Cancellation of Voting Rights Vote", "2006-06-21", "2006", "2006-06", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "06.21.06\n\t\t\t Barbara Lee Disappointed with Cancellation of Voting Rights Vote \n\t\t\t(Washington, DC) Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) expressed disappointment after the House Republican leadership announced that it was pulling a measure that would reauthorize expiring provisions of the Voting Rights Act from floor consideration today. The Voting Rights Act has been a critical tool in helping fight discrimination in voting and ensuring the proper functioning of our democracy and I can't understand why anyone would oppose this bipartisan bill, said Lee. I hope the Republican leadership can sort out their problems with this so that we can act quickly to pass this critical legislation. The bipartisan bill, the Fannie Lou Hamer, Rosa Parks and Coretta Scott King Voting Rights Reauthorization and Amendments Act of 2006 (H.R. 9), reauthorizes for 25 years key provisions of the Voting Rights Act that are set to expire in 2007. It was originally put on the suspension calendar, which expedites votes for measures considered to be uncontroversial. ### \n\t\n\t \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\n \n\t \t \n\t\t \n\t\t \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://lee.house.gov/news/press-releases/congress-to-give-another-tax-cut-to-millionaires-while-blocking-minimum-wage-increase", "Congress To Give Another Tax Cut To Millionaires, While Blocking Minimum Wage Increase", "2006-06-21", "2006", "2006-06", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "06.21.06\n\t\t\t Congress To Give Another Tax Cut To Millionaires, While Blocking Minimum Wage Increase \n\t\t\t(Washington, DC) Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) condemned the Republican leadership's decision to move forward with a vote today on a bill to virtually eliminate the estate tax, while blocking a bill that contains a long-overdue increase in the federal minimum wage from being considered on the House Floor as previously scheduled. It is unacceptable that the Republican Majority in the House will vote today to give a tax cut to the heirs of millionaires while blocking an increase in the minimum wage for millions of hardworking Americans, said Lee. This Republican-controlled Congress already approved an average tax cut of $42,000 this year to those making more than a million dollars annually. Instead of rewarding the hard work of Americans struggling to make ends meet, Republicans are hard at work making sure the heirs of the wealthy few get an enormous tax break. The minimum wage is at its lowest level in 50 years when adjusted for inflation and Congress has not increased it since 1997. Republicans are once again showing that they do not share the priorities of most Americans, Lee added. The Republican estate tax bill is fiscally irresponsible costing $280 billion in the first ten years alone and it would only drive us deeper into debt. And, it only helps the 3 in 1,000 estates that would owe any estate tax. This bill is not about small business owners and farmers. More than 80 percent of Americans support increasing the minimum wage. This is an issue of fairness. Democrats will not stop fighting until we pass an increase in the minimum wage, concluded Lee. Last week, House Democrats on the Appropriations Committee successfully attached an amendment to raise the minimum wage to the FY07 Labor, Health and Human Services Appropriations Bill. The amendment is based on a Democratic bill that would gradually increase the minimum wage from $5.15 to $7.25 over two years. The minimum wage amendment passed in Committee with bipartisan support, but Republican leaders have stopped the Labor-Health bill from coming to the Floor this week as previously scheduled because they fear an attempt to strip the minimum wage increase from the bill would fail. Instead, Republicans scheduled a vote on the estate tax bill. A minimum wage earner who works full-time all year earns just $10,700, leaving them well below the poverty line. In the United States, 6.6 million people would benefit from a raise in the minimum wage, including 1.6 million who are parents with children under the age of 18. Roughly three-quarters of minimum wage workers, 4.7 million workers, are adults over the age of 20, and many are responsible for over half of their family's income. If the minimum wage was equal to what it was at its highest point (1968) it would be $9.05 (as of January 2006). ### \n\t\n\t \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\n \n\t \t \n\t\t \n\t\t \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://lee.house.gov/news/press-releases/house-votes-against-permanent-bases-in-iraq-lee-calls-it-a-vote-against-open-ended-occupation", "House Votes Against Permanent Bases in Iraq Lee Calls it a Vote Against Open-Ended Occupation", "2006-06-20", "2006", "2006-06", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "06.20.06\n\t\t\t House Votes Against Permanent Bases in Iraq Lee Calls it a Vote Against Open-Ended Occupation \n\t\t\t(Washington, DC) Today, the House voted against leaving the door open to the establishment of permanent U.S. military bases in Iraq during debate on the FY07 Defense Appropriations bill. Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) applauded the bipartisan vote, calling it a vote against an open-ended occupation. This is a vote against an open-ended military mission in Iraq, said Lee. I am glad to see my colleagues on the other side of the aisle recognize that the American people are against an open-ended occupation of Iraq, and voting to put the House on record in support of the idea that we should not be in Iraq indefinitely. I hope that the White House will not again weigh in behind the scenes to try to reverse this decision. By a vote of 50 376, the House defeated an amendment introduced by Rep. Steve King (R-IA) to strip out a provision of the defense spending bill that would prevent funds from being used to establish permanent basing agreements with Iraq. The prohibition was added to the bill by Rep. Jack Murtha (D-PA) with the approval of the Appropriations Committee last week. Lee cautioned that it would be important to make sure that the prohibition on bases was kept in the final bill, citing a recent episode where Republicans stripped a similar provision from a bill in conference committee. Lee and Senator Joe Biden (D-DE) had successfully amended the Emergency War Supplemental appropriations bill to prevent funds from the bill from being spent to establish permanent bases in Iraq, but despite House and Senate approval, their provisions were stripped out by Republicans in conference committee. Even Republicans spoke out against King's amendment. It sends the wrong message, said Rep. Bill Young, Chair of the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee. Not only to the people of Iraq, not only to the people of America, but to the people of other Muslim nation who might say, hey, are we next? Are we going to be occupied? Are we going to have American troops in our streets? Legislation Lee introduced in June, 2005 to prevent the establishment of permanent bases has the bipartisan support of 82 cosponsors. ### \n\t\n\t \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\n \n\t \t \n\t\t \n\t\t \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://lee.house.gov/news/press-releases/barbara-lee-blasts-sham-gop-iraq-resolution-demands-real-debate-on-when-and-if-troops-will-return", "Barbara Lee Blasts Sham GOP Iraq Resolution Demands Real Debate on When and If Troops Will Return", "2006-06-15", "2006", "2006-06", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "06.15.06\n\t\t\t Barbara Lee Blasts Sham GOP Iraq Resolution Demands Real Debate on When and If Troops Will Return \n\t\t\t(Washington, DC) As the House began what was supposed to be the first sustained debate on Iraq since the war began more than three years ago, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) condemned the Republican-authored Iraq resolution for focusing on rhetoric and posturing rather than substantive policy issues, and challenged Republicans to defend their insistence on keeping the door open for a permanent U.S. presence in Iraq. The following is her floor statement, as delivered: It's been almost four years since Congress authorized this unnecessary war and we're really still not having a debate on Iraq policy. So quite frankly this debate really is a sham. It attempts to, you've heard this before and you'll hear it again, it attempts to link the war on terror with the bloodshed and violence and killing in Iraq. How deceptive can you be? As a founding member of the Out of Iraq Caucus, I believe that we should be debating and passing the Murtha resolution today. The Murtha resolution would redeploy our troops from Iraq at the earliest practical date and pursue security and stability in Iraq through diplomacy. Instead, the Republicans continue to play political games at the expense of our brave troops. This resolution is a disingenuous attempt by the Republicans to really rewrite history by claiming that Iraq is linked to the terrible tragedy of 9/11. This is deplorable. We all know that Iraq had nothing to do with the tragic attacks of 9/11. Yet the President misled the American people into a war of choice, with no end in sight. We could have avoided this. You remember, Congressman Spratt and myself, we introduced substitutes to the use of force back in 2002 which would have allowed the United Nations inspectors to ensure that Iraq was not developing weapons of mass destruction. And what is the cost of finding out there were no Weapons of Mass Destruction? Today, we reached the sad milestone of 2,500 American brave troops who have given their lives and by the end of the year will have committed close to $400 billion. Are we any safer as a result of this purposeless war in Iraq? Not according to the 9/11 Commission who's report card gave the administration a failing grade in virtually every category relating to terrorism preparedness. The Republicans try to claim that Iraq is the central front on the global war on terror. But the fact is, it has undermined our ability to protect our nation. National security professionals recognize this, Mr. Speaker. And let's be clear: we're spending billions to occupy a county that did not have weapons of mass destruction or terrorist ties and at the same time we're cutting programs to secure our ports and keep nuclear materials out of the hands of terrorists. There's something really wrong. Worse still, this President and the Republican majority refuse to level with the American people about when our troops are coming home, also really if they're coming home. And while we're debating this very bogus resolution, the most substantive decision on Iraq policy in recent days was taken out by the Republican majority behind closed doors. They stripped from the war supplemental an amendment that we offered to prevent the establishment of permanent military bases in Iraq. The American people don't want an open-ended war and occupation. Quietly removing a measure that was approved by both the House and the Senate is a gross abuse of the democratic process, and is further evidence that Republicans are afraid to level with the American people about their real plans for Iraq. Let me tell you, there will be a day of reckoning. The American people are demanding answers. They deserve a truthful accounting of how we got into this unnecessary war, how the billions of dollars have been misspent, and when our troops are coming home. And also they really deserve to know IF our troops are coming home, given recent reports that the administration is considering leaving a permanent force of 50,000 troops in Iraq and indications that establishing permanent military bases are not off the table. So Mr. Speaker, the American people will not forget that instead of answers to their questions, the Republican majority keeps giving them rhetoric and posturing, like they are doing today. And the American people deserve better. This sham resolution, it really should be rejected. We should support the Murtha resolution, that's what we should talk about today, that would take steps to end this war, it would take steps to bring our young men and women home and I tell you if we don't debate this, we don't know when the opportunity to have a real debate will take place. It should have been a real debate today, unfortunately this has deteriorated into posturing, into rhetoric and into misrepresenting what the facts are. Thank you and I thank the gentle lady for her leadership and I thank you and I yield back the balance of my time. ###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://lee.house.gov/news/press-releases/barbara-lee-to-gop-will-troops-come-home-at-alld-republican-insistence-on-permanent-bases-leaves-door-open-to-indefinite-deployment-of-50-000-or-more", "Barbara Lee to GOP: Will Troops Come Home at ALL? Republican Insistence on Permanent Bases Leaves Door Open to Indefinite Deployment of 50,000 or More", "2006-06-14", "2006", "2006-06", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "06.14.06\n\t\t\t Barbara Lee to GOP: Will Troops Come Home at ALL? Republican Insistence on Permanent Bases Leaves Door Open to Indefinite Deployment of 50,000 or More \n\t\t\t(Washington, DC) As the House began what was supposed to be the first sustained debate on Iraq since the war began more than three years ago, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) condemned the Republican authored Iraq resolution for focusing on empty rhetoric and cynical political theater rather than substantive policy issues, and challenged Republicans to defend their insistence on keeping the door open for a permanent U.S. presence in Iraq. This is the Republican idea of a policy debate: 10 hours of debate about a resolution that is long on rhetoric and short on substance, a resolution that will have zero impact on Iraq policy or the facts on the ground in Iraq, said Lee. Lee pointed out that while the resolution the House will vote on does not address major policy issues with relation to Iraq, Republicans leaders have recently made significant decisions about Iraq policy behind closed doors. She pointed to the fact that, despite the House and Senate approving measures to prevent the establishment of permanent military bases in Iraq, Republicans quietly removed the provision in conference committee. While we're debating a sham bill, the most substantive decision on Iraq policy in recent days, a decision that could impact whether our troops come home or not, was taken by the Republican majority behind closed doors, said Lee. Quietly removing a measure that was approved by both the House and Senate is a gross abuse of the democratic process, and is further evidence that Republicans are afraid to level with the American people about their real plans for Iraq. The President and the Republican majority refuse to level with the American people not only about when our troops are coming home, but if they're coming home at all. I believe that we should be judged by our deeds not our words, and while Republicans are saying there should be no timeline, their actions say that more than one third of our troops in Iraq, 50,000 brave men and women, may not be coming home at all, said Lee. I support the Murtha Resolution and I believe we should bring our troops home. If my Republican colleagues believe we should permanently leave a force of 50,000 American troops in Iraqas the New York Times recently reportedthen I think the Republicans should defend their position on the Floor and put it to a vote, said Lee. If the Republican majority wanted to truly debate Iraq policy, then this is what we would be debating and voting on todaynot this sham resolution. Let me tell you, there will be a day of reckoning. The American people are demanding answers. They deserve a truthful accounting of how we got into this unnecessary war. They deserve to know WHEN our troops are coming home. They deserve to know IF our troops are coming home. The American people will not forget that instead of answers to their questions, the Republican majority gave them more rhetoric and posturing, Lee concluded. ### \n\t\n\t \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\n \n\t \t \n\t\t \n\t\t \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://lee.house.gov/news/press-releases/lee-secures-14-million-in-transportation-and-housing-funding-for-9th-district", "Lee Secures $1.4 Million in Transportation and Housing Funding for 9th District", "2006-06-14", "2006", "2006-06", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "06.14.06\n\t\t\t Lee Secures $1.4 Million in Transportation and Housing Funding for 9th District \n\t\t\t(Washington DC) - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) announced that funding for three major 9th district projects was included in the Transportation, Treasury, Housing and Urban Development (TTHUD) Appropriations bill for 2007 that the House passed today. These funds will go far in terms of supporting healthy, sustainable communities in the East Bay and strengthening our local economy, said Lee. I am particularly proud to bring federal funds to projects that provide transportation assistance to seniors and people with disabilities, as well as housing and training to ex-offenders. The Transportation, Treasury, Housing and Urban Development Appropriations bill for 2007 includes $550,000 in additional funding for the Ed Roberts Campus to be built above the Ashby BART Station, $100,000 for the Allen Temple Housing and Economic Development Corporation to rehabilitate an East Oakland building, and $750,000 for the Water Transit Authority to establish a commuter ferry boat service between Berkeley/Albany and San Francisco. The Ed Roberts Campus will be an intermodal transportation center and disability rights center. Seniors and people with disabilities will be able to receive travel information and training on how to use public transportation in the Bay Area. The Allen Temple Housing and Economic Development Corporation will establish an eleven-unit transitional housing program to serve formerly incarcerated individuals. Individuals housed in the refurbished East Oakland building will be enrolled in ATHEDCO's training academy, which provides comprehensive employment training, case management, mentoring and other services to former offenders. The ferry between the East Bay and the city of San Francisco will offer commuters an alternative to driving to work. Securing funding for projects like these is part of Representative Lee's ongoing effort to bring federal funds to the 9th district for infrastructure, transportation and educational projects that serve the East Bay's diverse communities. The funding for these projects brings the total of federal funds she has helped bring to the East Bay over the last year to more than $70 million. ### \n\t\n\t \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\n \n\t \t \n\t\t \n\t\t \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://lee.house.gov/news/press-releases/barbara-lee-blasts-republican-insistence-on-permanent-iraq-bases-gop-struck-house-and-senate-approved-provision-from-supplemental", "Barbara Lee Blasts Republican Insistence on Permanent Iraq Bases GOP Struck House and Senate Approved Provision from Supplemental", "2006-06-11", "2006", "2006-06", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "06.11.06\n\t\t\t Barbara Lee Blasts Republican Insistence on Permanent Iraq Bases GOP Struck House and Senate Approved Provision from Supplemental \n\t\t\t(Washington, DC) During floor debate on the emergency war supplemental spending bill Monday night, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) slammed Republicans for removing in conference committee amendments that were approved by the House and Senate, introduced by Lee and Senator Joe Biden (D-DE) respectively, to prevent the establishment of permanent military bases in Iraq. The following is her statement as delivered: I want to thank the gentleman for yielding and for his very strong leadership on so many issues. Once again Mr. Speaker, the Republicans have abused their power. The House and the Senate voted to not have an open-ended commitment in Iraq by unanimously passing the Lee-Allen amendment to not allow funding to enter into formal military basing rights agreements. By eliminating this amendment from the conference report, Congress and the Administration are admitting that they have no intentions of ever bringing our troops home. If there are no plans for a permanent military presence in Iraq--as the President and Defense Secretary have repeatedly declared--then why did the Republican leadership strike this provision? Once again democracy has been thwarted. The majority of Americans and Iraqis do not want permanent military bases in Iraq. By the end of this year the war will have cost $350 billion. And it will continue to climb. By eliminating this provision, once again we given the Administration a blank check to stay in Iraq permanently. Mr. Speaker, our amendment would have sent a strong signal that the United States has no designs on Iraq permanently. Removing it behind closed doors says just the opposite. Once again, this administration is misleading the American people. The abuse of power must stop. The House and the Senate both voted for this amendment. How could it be taken out when the majority of Americans do not want to see a permanent presence in Iraq? It's time to get real about this war and it's time to ask the hard question with regards to what our long term intentions are. And I think the American people deserve to know what our long term intentions are. ### \n\t\n\t \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\n \n\t \t \n\t\t \n\t\t \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://lee.house.gov/news/press-releases/barbara-lee-blasts-gop-effort-to-allow-permanent-iraq-bases-says-upcoming-debate-on-iraq-should-clearly-rule-out-permanent-bases", "Barbara Lee Blasts GOP Effort to Allow Permanent Iraq Bases Says Upcoming Debate on Iraq Should Clearly Rule Out Permanent Bases", "2006-06-07", "2006", "2006-06", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "06.07.06\n\t\t\t Barbara Lee Blasts GOP Effort to Allow Permanent Iraq Bases Says Upcoming Debate on Iraq Should Clearly Rule Out Permanent Bases \n\t\t\t(Washington, DC) Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) condemned Republican efforts to quietly remove a provision to prevent spending to establish permanent military bases in Iraq during the conference committee on the emergency war supplemental spending bill. The House and Senate went on record opposing permanent bases, but now the Republicans are trying to sneak them back in in the middle of the night, said Lee. The Republicans willingness to abuse the legislative process is clear evidence of their unwillingness to level with the American people about their plans for Iraq. Although both the House and Senate unanimously approved amendments introduced by Lee and Senator Joe Biden (D-DE), respectively, to prevent funds appropriated in the bill from being used to establish permanent military bases in Iraq, Republican members of the joint committee appointed to reconcile the House and Senate versions voted to strip the provision from the bill. Lee was emphatic that the upcoming floor debate on Iraq, expected next week, explicitly clarify the nation's position on permanent bases. The perception that the U.S. intends to occupy Iraq indefinitely is fueling the insurgency and making our troops more vulnerable. We need to make it perfectly clear that there will be no permanent US military presence in Iraq, said Lee. If we are going to have a real debate on Iraq next week, it must explicitly address this question, and Republicans need to go on record as to whether they think we should stay in Iraq permanently. ### \n\t\n\t \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\n \n\t \t \n\t\t \n\t\t \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://lee.house.gov/news/press-releases/barbara-lee-condemns-disparities-in-minority-mortgage-lending-new-report-finds-blacks-latinos-more-vulnerable-to-predatory-lending", "Barbara Lee Condemns Disparities in Minority Mortgage Lending New Report Finds Blacks, Latinos More Vulnerable to Predatory Lending", "2006-06-07", "2006", "2006-06", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "06.07.06\n\t\t\t Barbara Lee Condemns Disparities in Minority Mortgage Lending New Report Finds Blacks, Latinos More Vulnerable to Predatory Lending \n\t\t\t(Washington, DC) Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) joined Congressman Melvin Watt (D-NC), the Center for Responsible Lending and members of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) and Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) at a press conference on Thursday to discuss a new report that found that African-Americans and Latinos are 30 percent more likely than whites to be victims of predatory lending. This report makes it clear that minority communities continue to be the target of predatory lenders who are effectively stealing their equity, said Lee. You should not pay more for a loan because of the color of your skin, yet that is exactly what is happening. This is an example of institutional racism in its most glaring form, said Lee. The report by the non-profit, non-partisan Center for Responsible Lending found that, even after accounting for factors such as credit scores and other risk factors, Latinos are 2.3 times more likely and African Americans are 3.7 times more likely to receive a high cost subprime loan than their white counterparts. The report is based on an analysis of information collected under the Home Mortgage Disclosure Act (HMDA), and is available online at http://www.responsiblelending.org/reports/HMDA2006.cfm We will not overcome the existing disparities in wealth and homeownership as long as people of color continue to be disproportionately vulnerable to predatory lending, said Lee. Ending these discriminatory practices is a key first step to closing the homeownership and wealth gap and breaking the cycle of disparities. ### \n\t\n\t \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\n \n\t \t \n\t\t \n\t\t \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://lee.house.gov/news/press-releases/house-approves-lees-resolution-on-passport-month", "House Approves Lees Resolution on Passport Month", "2006-06-06", "2006", "2006-06", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "06.06.06\n\t\t\t House Approves Lee's Resolution on Passport Month \n\t\t\t(Washington, DC) Last night, the House unanimously approved H. Res. 327, a measure introduced by Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) to promote international travel by calling for the establishment of September as National Passport month. Americans of all ages are our best ambassadors and we should promote policies that encourage them to travel, to forge connections with people from other countries, to foster mutual understanding, and tolerance and to help open new doors to peace, said Lee. The timing of our efforts could not be more critical. I think we can all recognize that America needs a boost in foreign public opinion and I am confident that connections made with American travelers can and will make a huge difference improving our image abroad. Currently less than 23 percent of Americans have a passport. As a result, millions of Americans are unable to take advantage of the enriching opportunities presented by international travel. The purpose of National Passport Month is to create a time to educate the public about the incredible opportunities available to those who obtain passports as well as the positive impact international travel has on individuals and the global community. Lee's resolution puts the House on record in support of the goals and ideals of national Passport Month, and calls on the White House to issue a proclamation establishing the month in September. It was supported by a grass-roots campaign conducted by Oakland-based travel publisher Lonely Planet, who presented Lee in April with more than 5,000 petition signatures from people around the country who supported the effort. The measure had 56 co-sponsors, as well as the support of the U.S. State Department and a broad coalition of over 70 organizations ranging from travel associations to corporations like American Express and Yahoo. The focus of the campaign will now turn to the White House to get them to follow the House's lead and issue the proclamation. As the senior Democratic woman on the House International Relations Committee, and a traveler myself, I believe that there is really is no substitute for the experience that you get from visiting other countries, from meeting the people, tasting the food and interacting with the culture, said Lee. It changes the way we see the world. It broadens our horizons, and deepens our appreciation for different countries and cultures and our shared humanity. It also helps us learn understanding, tolerance and mutual respect for other cultures. ### \n\t\n\t \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\n \n\t \t \n\t\t \n\t\t \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://lee.house.gov/news/press-releases/barbara-lee-applauds-presidential-action-on-caribbean-american-heritage-month", "Barbara Lee Applauds Presidential Action on Caribbean American Heritage Month", "2006-06-01", "2006", "2006-06", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "06.01.06\n\t\t\t Barbara Lee Applauds Presidential Action on Caribbean American Heritage Month \n\t\t\t(Washington, DC) In response to news from the President that he will formally issue a proclamation on Monday, June 5th, naming June Caribbean-American Heritage month, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland), author of legislation approved by both houses of Congress urging the President to make June Caribbean-American Heritage Month, issued the following statement: I am so pleased that the President agreed to officially declare June national Caribbean-American Heritage Month. The work that started when I first introduced this legislation in the 108th Congress is finally paying off with the tribute that the Caribbean-American community deserves. \"For two years, this legislation has enjoyed strong bipartisan and bicameral support and this action is the result of a tremendous effort. I hope that communities across the country will join together in celebrating the invaluable contributions Caribbean-Americans have made to this nation since its inception and to celebrate this nation's great diversity by planning and participating in celebrations of the inaugural national Caribbean-American Heritage Month. ### \n\t\n\t \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\n \n\t \t \n\t\t \n\t\t \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://lee.house.gov/news/press-releases/barbara-lee-calls-on-bush-to-name-caribbean-american-heritage-month", "Barbara Lee Calls on Bush to Name Caribbean American Heritage Month", "2006-06-01", "2006", "2006-06", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "06.01.06\n\t\t\t Barbara Lee Calls on Bush to Name Caribbean American Heritage Month \n\t\t\t(Washington, DC) Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland), author of legislation approved by both houses of Congress urging the President to make June Caribbean-American Heritage Month, issued the following statement today: Today, June 1st, 2006, communities across the country are launching commemorative celebrations of the inaugural national Caribbean-American Heritage Month. From our nation's inception, the Caribbean-American community has played an important role in our history, culture, and government. In the 109th Congress both the House and Senate unanimously adopted H. Con. Res. 71 to support designating June as National Caribbean-American Heritage Month. A wide, bipartisan coalition of Members of Congress - including Senator Charles Schumer (D-NY), Representative Henry Hyde (R-IL), Senator Mel Martinez (R-FL), and Representative Dan Burton (R-IL) -- and national organizations hailed the movement. And in March, Secretary Rice joined with the Caribbean Foreign Affairs Minister to honor this achievement. I sincerely hope that the President will follow suit by commemorating the Caribbean-American community as he has the African-American, Hispanic, Irish-American, Asian Pacific-Islander, Native American Indian, American Jewish, German-American, and many other communities. The diversity of our country and the designation of June as Caribbean-American Heritage Month should be an achievement celebrated by all. ### \n\t\n\t \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\n \n\t \t \n\t\t \n\t\t \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://lee.house.gov/news/press-releases/congresswoman-lees-hosts-meeting-on-wachovia-acquisition-of-golden-west-financial", "Congresswoman Lees Hosts Meeting on Wachovia Acquisition of Golden West Financial", "2006-06-01", "2006", "2006-06", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "06.01.06\n\t\t\t Congresswoman Lee's Hosts Meeting on Wachovia Acquisition of Golden West Financial \n\t\t\t(Washington, DC) After a meeting yesterday with Wachovia representatives and East Bay community stakeholders, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) released the following statement regarding the recent acquisition of Golden West Financial, which is headquartered in Oakland: Yesterday, I welcomed Wachovia to the East Bay to discuss expectations for its acquisition of Golden West Financial, which is headquartered in Oakland and has made positive impacts on the city and the surrounding region. I believe that as Wachovia moves forward with the acquisition process and develops a long-term plan for California, it should include: Maintaining a headquarters in Oakland and expanding its banking presence in the East Bay; Developing a strong CRA commitment to the stateone that rivals the banks that are already in this region; Ensuring diversity in its executive staff and board of directors; Expanding lending to minorities and small businesses and economic development. The meeting was positive and, I hope, it will be productive in making these expectations a reality. I look forward to working with Wachovia and to meeting with CEO Ken Thompson to ensure that the acquisition will offer positive opportunities to Wachovia and East Bay residents. ### \n\t\n\t \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\n \n\t \t \n\t\t \n\t\t \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://lee.house.gov/news/press-releases/congresswoman-lees-statement-on-the-25th-anniversary-of-the-hiv/aids-pandemic", "Congresswoman Lees Statement on the 25th Anniversary of the HIV/AIDS Pandemic", "2006-06-01", "2006", "2006-06", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "06.01.06\n\t\t\t Congresswoman Lee's Statement on the 25th Anniversary of the HIV/AIDS Pandemic \n\t\t\t(Washington, DC) Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) issued the following statement on the 25th anniversary of the HIV/AIDS pandemic, which is June 5th: In the 25 years since the CDC reported the first cases of a rare form of pneumonia among 5 gay men in Los Angeles, HIV/AIDS has infected nearly 70 million throughout the world and killed more than 25 million. Although a substantial amount of progress has been made in mobilizing communities, civil society and governments to respond to this devastating global epidemic, much more remains to be done if we are to truly defeat it. According to a new report released by UNAIDS, an estimated 38.6 million people were living with HIV/AIDS at the end of 2005. Just last year alone, over 4.1 million were newly infected, while 2.8 million died of AIDS. In the United States, despite 25 years of advocacy and 15 years of implementing an advanced prevention, care, and treatment program currently funded at over $2 billion a year, the epidemic continues to grow. The CDC estimates that over 1 million people are now living with HIV/AIDS, a quarter of who do not even know they are infected. Our challenge lies not only in dramatically scaling up funding and resources to achieving universal access to prevention care and treatment resources, but in formulating policy frameworks that will lead to the eradication of HIV/AIDS entirely, not just its containment. We need a radically different approach to fighting HIV/AIDS among women and girls that recognizes and combats the factors that lead to gender disparities in rates of HIV/AIDS. To do that, we've got to eliminate the abstinence-only-until marriage earmark and redefine our HIV prevention policy to encompass education for girls, child marriage, property and inheritance rights, social norms and attitudes towards women, gender equity, and the legal enforcement of women's rights. We also have to make significant programmatic investments in training and retaining health workers to end the brain drain that affects countries battling HIV in the developing world. That means ending the perverse system of constraints imposed by the IMF and World Bank that prevents countries from spending on their health sector, while also providing incentives for health workers who have left their country of origin to return and remain. Domestically we have not done enough to address the rapid growth of the disease among minority communities, especially African Americans. We must rapidly expand the Minority AIDS Initiative to support capacity building and outreach among minority communities and include it as part of the Ryan White CARE Act. We must also take a hard look at our correctional system to eliminate a significant entry point for HIV and other diseases into our communities. We can start by pairing condom distribution with prevention education to educate and protect both incarcerated persons and correctional officers. Each of these efforts must be combined, with increased investments in research and development for microbicides, vaccines, pediatric formulations, and advanced diagnostics and medications that can be delivered quickly efficiently and cheaply to the millions of people around the world who are vulnerable to HIV/AIDS. As the HIV/AIDS epidemic turns twenty five our challenge is clear. We must renew our commitment to battling the disease and significantly increase funding to implement these important policies. We cannot allow another generation to experience the horrors of HIV/AIDS. ### \n\t\n\t \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\n \n\t \t \n\t\t \n\t\t \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://lee.house.gov/news/press-releases/barbara-lee-congratulates-local-green-business-initiative", "Barbara Lee Congratulates Local Green Business Initiative", "2006-05-31", "2006", "2006-05", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "05.31.06\n\t\t\t Barbara Lee Congratulates Local Green Business Initiative \n\t\t\t(Washington, DC) Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) congratulated the Green Albany Project for its pioneering work in promoting green business practices, helping local businesses to save money and contribute to protecting the environment by recycling and composting. Over the last year, the Green Albany Project has demonstrated that adopting environmentally sustainable practices isn't just a good idea, it is good for business, said Lee. The Green Albany Project is an outstanding example of steps that our communities can take to address the national and global challenge of developing sustainable practices in a time of diminishing natural resources. In just one year, with the help of Alameda County Waste Management, the project introduced new recycling and composting services to 26 local establishments within one square mile, saving nearly 900 cubic yards (about 150 tons) of waste from entering landfills. Waste Management projects that in 2006 alone, Albany's businesses will divert 1800 cubic yards (290 tons) of its solid waste toward reuse (recycling and composting) programs. The Green Albany Project is the first project of its kind, where a chamber of commerce took the lead in greening a small business district, in the country. It was launched on Earth Day 2005 as a collaborative effort of the Albany Chamber of Commerce, the City of Albany, Alameda County and Stopwaste.org under the leadership of James Carter. Upon receipt of a grant from stopwaste.org, the Albany Green Team was assembled, comprised mostly of local youth from Albany High School and the surrounding community. The Albany Green team then began a yearlong outreach effort, working to contact and educate local business owners on the economic and environmental benefits of going green. The Green Albany Project has not only made history as the first project of its kind to be completed in our country, but has demonstrated to businesses throughout the 9th Congressional District and across our country that going green is not only possible but profitable, said Lee. ### \n\t\n\t \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\n \n\t \t \n\t\t \n\t\t \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://lee.house.gov/news/press-releases/barbara-lee-demands-info-on-bush-iran-plans", "Barbara Lee Demands Info on Bush Iran Plans", "2006-05-25", "2006", "2006-05", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "05.25.06\n\t\t\t Barbara Lee Demands Info on Bush Iran Plans \n\t\t\t(Washington, DC) Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) last night introduced a privileged resolution calling on the White House to turn over to Congress any information related to administration plans for regime change or attack against Iran. You don't need to look further than Iraq to see that the Bush administration's dangerous doctrine of preemption is a failure that we cannot afford to repeat with Iran, said Lee. Congress has neglected its oversight of this failed policy, and now that the drumbeat for war is starting with Iran we must force a debate on this issue. Lee's Resolution of Inquiry, H.Res. 846, calls on the Bush administration to provide Congress with all information relating to strategies and plans either designed to cause regime change in or for the use of military force against Iran. A Resolution of Inquiry is a privileged resolution, which means that if it is not acted on by the committee to which it is referred within 14 legislative days of its being introduced, the member of Congress who introduced it is entitled to request that it be brought to the House floor for a vote. Lee and other Democrats have used the resolutions as a procedural tool to force debate at the committee level on issues like Iraq, where Republicans have avoided exercising Congressional oversight. ### \n\t\n\t \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\n \n\t \t \n\t\t \n\t\t \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://lee.house.gov/news/press-releases/barbara-lee-speaks-out-against-anwr-drilling", "Barbara Lee Speaks Out Against ANWR Drilling", "2006-05-24", "2006", "2006-05", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "05.24.06\n\t\t\t Barbara Lee Speaks Out Against ANWR Drilling \n\t\t\t(Washington, DC) Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) gave the following statement against a Republican proposal to open the Artic National Wildlife Refuge to oil and gas drilling on the House floor today: Mr. Speaker opening up the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to oil and gas drilling is not the answer to high gas prices today or to the long-term energy needs of tomorrow. The fact is we are addicted to oil. The proponents of this bill would have you believe that the only way to cure an addict is to feed the addiction at whatever costregardless of the effect on the environment, wildlife, or the public health. As a former social worker, I can tell you that does not work! The best way to fight high gas prices now is to go after the suppliers. We should hold oil companies accountable for gouging consumers at the pump and we should institute a windfall profits tax to fund immediate investments in energy efficiency, conservation, and research into clean and sustainable sources of energy. We can also wean ourselves away from our addiction by immediately raising CAF standards and increasing the use of renewable fuels to lessen the impact of high gas prices on our constituents. Instead of implementing these policies five years ago, this administration deliberately chose to fatten the wallets of its cronies in the oil and gas industry. Let's not make the same mistake again. Kick the habit, vote against this bill. ### \n\t\n\t \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\n \n\t \t \n\t\t \n\t\t \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://lee.house.gov/news/press-releases/lee-progressive-caucus-hold-forum-on-iran-and-preemption", "Lee, Progressive Caucus Hold Forum on Iran and Preemption", "2006-05-24", "2006", "2006-05", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "05.24.06\n\t\t\t Lee, Progressive Caucus Hold Forum on Iran and Preemption \n\t\t\t(Washington, DC) The Co-Chairs of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) and Congresswoman Lynn Woolsey (D-CA) hosted a forum on Capitol Hill Wednesday where experts discussed the possible consequences of a preemptive attack on Iran. Video of the forum is available online at: http://www.politicstv.com/blog/?p=32. Given our experience in the run-up to the invasion of Iraq and the fact that our troops remain there despite the fact that there were no weapons of mass destruction, it is remarkable that Congress has not taken any action to review the Bush administration's doctrine of preemptive war, said Lee. With reports that that contingency planning is under way within the Bush Administration for possible U.S. military strikes against Iran, it is high time for Congress to reevaluate this dangerous and demonstrably failed policy. Bush's military adventure in Iraq has proven that the doctrine of pre-emption doesn't work and must not be repeated, said Woolsey. Today's hearing will begin the discussion on Capitol Hill about how America must work with the international community and engage diplomatically with Iran in order to prevent a future conflict. We must get smart about our national security and rely on the very best that America has to offer -- our commitment to peace and freedom, our compassion for the people of the world, and our capacity for multilateral leadership. The forum featured Samantha Power, Professor of Human Rights Practice at Harvard University and author of the widely-acclaimed book A Problem from Hell: America and the Age of Genocide, who discussed the use of force, diplomacy and the Bush doctrine of preemptive warfare in the post 9/11 world. In the 20th century, power was typically measured in terms of a nation's military assets and economic gross domestic product. But in the 21st century, America's power and that of any other nation will be gauged by its influence, Power stressed. Our power will not be so much measured by our military arsenal and economic clout, but also by the credibility and competence attributed to the Government of the United States in the international community as a whole. Also featured was Dr. Jessica Tuchman Matthews President of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace and author of Power Shift, which was chosen by the editors of Foreign Affairs Magazine as one of the most influential articles in that journal's 75 years of publication. She discussed U.S. Iran Relations and whether war with Iran would help or hurt U.S. national security. The Bush Administration is backing our country down a cul-de-sac on Iran, Dr. Matthews underscored. If we don't change course, we will be confronted with two horrible consequences: either a war that will prove far more catastrophic and costly than our military intervention in Iraq or a nuclear Iran. Our government immediately needs to engage directly in diplomacy with the Government of Iran and take regime change off the table. The principal purpose of diplomacy is to talk with other governments with whom we have problems, not our friends. This is the first in an on-going series of public forums and ad hoc Congressional hearings planned by the Progressive Caucus to examine the growing confrontation with the government of Iran and the Bush administration's doctrine of preemptive warfare as national security strategy. ### \n\t\n\t \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\n \n\t \t \n\t\t \n\t\t \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://lee.house.gov/news/press-releases/2006/05/17/sudanese-embassy-arrest", "Sudanese Embassy Arrest", "2006-05-17", "2006", "2006-05", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", null, 0, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://lee.house.gov/news/press-releases/barbara-lee-rejects-gop-budget-supports-cbc-alternative", "Barbara Lee Rejects GOP Budget, Supports CBC Alternative", "2006-05-17", "2006", "2006-05", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "05.17.06\n\t\t\t Barbara Lee Rejects GOP Budget, Supports CBC Alternative \n\t\t\t(Washington, DC) Tonight, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) spoke out against the Republican budget resolution, and for the Congressional Black Caucus alternative budget. She gave the following statement during debate on the House floor: Mr. Speaker, I rise today to support the Congressional Black Caucus alternative budget and in opposition to the Republican budget. Mr. Speaker, the Republican budget falls short on every count, particularly when it comes to our defense priorities. The CBC budget reallocates $9.4 billion from an unworkable missile defense program and puts it towards our real security priorities, priorities like making sure that our troops have enough body armor. Priorities like ensuring that our veterans have full access to benefits. Priorities like securing our ports. In addition, Mr. Speaker, this substitute takes a first step at combating the enormous problem of waste, fraud, and abuse at the Pentagon. Mr. Speaker, GAO has concluded that of the one-third of the recommendations it has made to DoD on waste, fraud, and abuse in the last five years, DoD has saved $40.8 billion by implementing them. Imagine how much would be saved and put back into education, into healthcare, into a livable world four our communities here in America and abroad if the rest of these recommendations are implemented? This substitute would require the Defense Department to work on eliminating waste, fraud and abuse immediately, and our national security priorities are taken very seriously in this budget. Let's support the Congressional Black Caucus Budget. ### \n\t\n\t \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\n \n\t \t \n\t\t \n\t\t \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://lee.house.gov/news/press-releases/barbara-lee-slams-attempt-to-lift-coastal-drilling-ban", "Barbara Lee Slams Attempt to Lift Coastal Drilling Ban", "2006-05-17", "2006", "2006-05", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "05.17.06\n\t\t\t Barbara Lee Slams Attempt to Lift Coastal Drilling Ban \n\t\t\t(Washington, DC) Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) released the following statement in response to Republican efforts to lift a Congressional ban on Coastal drilling during debate on the Interior Appropriations bill today: For twenty five years we have maintained a bipartisan agreement to ban any new drilling off our shores because we believed it was more important to safeguard the health and beauty of our coastal environment for future generations to enjoy. But now the interior appropriations bill threatens to upset this agreement and open our coastal areas to drilling despite overwhelming opposition from the American people. We should not be trading away our pristine coastal habitats to fatten the coffers of the administration's cronies in the oil and gas industry. The fact of the matter is that new offshore drilling will do nothing in the short term to reduce the high gas prices that consumers are facing at the pump, and will do nothing in the long term to wean us away from our addiction to oil. The best way to fight high gas prices now is to hold oil companies accountable for gouging consumers by instituting a windfall profits tax. At the same time, we need to make immediate investments to expand energy efficiency by raising vehicle fuel economy standards, increasing the use of renewable fuels, and by adopting a foreign policy that does not hold our constituents hostage to the latest political crisis in the Middle East. Today our constituents are paying the price for this administration's deliberate decision to prioritize the profit margins of the oil and gas industry over a comprehensive and sustainable long term energy policy. I encourage my colleagues to vote against another giveaway to the energy industry and to support the Putnam/Capps amendment and save our coastal environments. ### \n\t\n\t \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\n \n\t \t \n\t\t \n\t\t \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://lee.house.gov/news/press-releases/sudanese-embassy-arrest", "Sudanese Embassy Arrest", "2006-05-17", "2006", "2006-05", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", null, 0, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://lee.house.gov/news/press-releases/barbara-lee-arrested-in-darfur-protest-at-sudanese-embassy", "Barbara Lee Arrested in Darfur Protest at Sudanese Embassy", "2006-05-16", "2006", "2006-05", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "05.16.06\n\t\t\t Barbara Lee Arrested in Darfur Protest at Sudanese Embassy \n\t\t\t(Washington, DC) Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland), Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) Rep. Mel Watt (D-NC) and CBC members Rep. John Lewis (D-GA), Rep. Al Green (D-TX), Rep. Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), Rep Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX) and Rep. Gwen Moore (D-WI) were arrested this morning at a protest at the Sudanese embassy in Washington, DC. The action was designed to call public attention to the ongoing genocide in Darfur, and to build public support for U.S. and international action to stop the violence. Specifically, Lee and her CBC colleagues were calling for: An immediate stop to the violence against the people of Darfur by the Government of Sudan and its Janjaweed militias; A Chapter 7 UN peacekeeping mission to assist the African Union Mission in Darfur; Protection of civilians who remain vulnerable; Accountability for government officials and Janjaweed responsible for war crimes and genocide; President Bush push the Government of Sudan to release its 300,000-500,000 metric tons of grain reserves to feed the starving people of Darfur; Full implementation of the Darfur Peace Agreement and the Comprehensive Peace Agreement between the North and South; The Administration work to ensure the Government of Sudan does all it can for the internally displaced and the refugees of Darfur to restore security so they can return to their homes soon. Lee is the most senior Democratic woman on the House International Relations committee, where she serves on the Africa Subcommittee, and has been a leading voice in the growing movement to divest state pension funds and university endowments from companies doing business in Sudan. She has traveled twice to Darfur, first with Congressional colleagues and academy award nominated actor Don Cheadle in January, 2005 and most recently on a delegation led by Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi in February. The transcript of her remarks at the event follows: The world stood by when nearly one million people died in Rwanda. We did much of nothing. The most that our country unfortunately did was say I am sorry', after the fact. Now, over four hundred thousand people have died as a result of the genocidal actions of the Khartoum government against the people of Darfur. We are here to say, as members of the Congressional Black Caucus, and our human rights organizations, Not On Our Watch! Not on our watch will we allow another genocide to take place. Already too many, far too many people have died or been displaced, have been raped, villages have been burned down. The people of Darfur deserve to return home. Some of us have visited the refugee camps. Personally I have visited on two separate occasions. I saw the desperation in the eyes of the people. I saw the violence, the results of the violence, the results of the genocide. We saw and talked with people who wanted to go home. We saw the gloom and felt the pain and suffering of what is taking place. Their pleas came back to us, and we have brought these pleas to this House of Representatives and to our government. And so today we are saying, not on our watch, never again will we allow this to happen. You see our demands and they are written on this board right here so that you can very clearly understand what we are saying. One is that we want a cessation of all of the violence. We want the government of Sudan to totally disarm the Janjuweed militia and to stop the violence. Secondly, we want UN peacekeepers. We want to make sure that the government of Sudan supports the United Nations Peace Keepers. People deserve to be secure; right now they are not. They're continually being harmed and being killed. We want accountability. We want government officials to turn over and we also want the Janjaweed and government officials to be held accountable for the genocide. We also believe that we need to urgently demand our President and the Sudanese government to release the food supplies. There are about 500,000 metric tons of grain reserves. People are starving in Darfur. They need to be fed. We need to definitely make sure that this food is released immediately. Also, of course, the protection of civilians is so important. As we speak, they are totally vulnerable. We need to make sure that they are protected from the violence that is taking place. And of course, people need to be able to return home, and return quickly. So refugee return is of immediate concern and we are demanding that we work very closely with all the appropriate agencies so that people can get home to their villages right away. And finally we want a full implementation of the peace agreements, and we are not talking about some shady peace agreements, we mean a full peace agreement which makes sure that all parties have dropped their arms and stopped the violence and are disarmed and allow for an agreement where people can go home and safely return to their lives. So let me thank the members of the Congressional Black Caucus and Congressman Mel Watt for turning up the heat. The Sudanese government needs to understand there is a mounting divestment movement taking place. Colleges, Universities, pension funds, states are divesting of their funds. We are going to put the squeeze on the Sudanese government until they stop this horrific genocide. ### Click here for video of the event", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://lee.house.gov/news/press-releases/barbara-lee-slams-border-militarization-calls-proposal-a-dangerous-publicity-stunt", "Barbara Lee Slams Border Militarization Calls Proposal a Dangerous Publicity Stunt", "2006-05-14", "2006", "2006-05", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "05.14.06\n\t\t\t Barbara Lee Slams Border Militarization Calls Proposal a Dangerous Publicity Stunt \n\t\t\t(Washington, DC) Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) sharply criticized the Bush administration's proposal to militarize the U.S. border with Mexico in order to stop illegal immigration, calling the proposal a dangerous publicity stunt. The following is her statement: If the President and the Republicans in Congress were serious about securing our border, they would have provided more funding for border control, following the 9-11 Commission's recommendations. The fact is, they have consistently failed to do so. Their record speaks for itself. The administration's proposal is not only bad policy, but dangerous. Our military is already stretched too thin to support this mission. Furthermore, the National Guard is a military force; they are not trained to perform law enforcement. The fact is, if we can afford to send in the National Guard, we can afford to hire more border patrol agents. Our armed forces should not be a prop in a border security photo op. The American people deserve real immigration reform, not a dangerous publicity stunt driven by election year politics and the President's slumping approval numbers. ### Background: Dec, 2004: the 9-11 Commission legislation (passed by Congress, signed by the President) said the very least the U.S. needed to do was add 2,000 Border Patrol agents annually (for 10 years) and 8,000 detention beds annually. President's budget 2005: proposed 200 BP agents (that's 1,800 short of the least we said we would do) and 1,900 detention beds (6,100 short of the least we said we would do). Congressional budget 2005: including all appropriations, funded 1,500 BP agents (still 500 short of 9-11 Commission mandates) and 4,250 detention beds (still 3,750 short of 9-11 Commission recommendations). President's budget 2006: proposed 1,500 BP agents (still 1,000 short of the least we said we would do) and 6,000 detention beds (still 5,750 short of the least we said we would do). \n\t\n\t \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\n \n\t \t \n\t\t \n\t\t \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://lee.house.gov/news/press-releases/115-join-lee-in-calling-for-protection-for-women-human-rights-workers-in-guatemala", "115 Join Lee in Calling for Protection for Women, Human Rights Workers in Guatemala", "2006-05-10", "2006", "2006-05", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "05.10.06\n\t\t\t 115 Join Lee in Calling for Protection for Women, Human Rights Workers in Guatemala \n\t\t\t(Washington, DC) Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland), Ranking Member of the House International Relations Committee and Human Rights Caucus Co-Chair, Congressman Tom Lantos, Co-Chair of the Women's Caucus, Congresswoman Hilda Solis and 112 other members of Congress sent a letter to the State Department today, calling for increased protection for women and human rights workers in Guatemala. There is bipartisan concern about the growing violence in Guatemala, both against women and human rights workers, said Lee. I think we need to send a strong message that we will help our allies to combat such violence and support human rights by offering the necessary resources and technical assistance. The letter comes in response to a dramatic increase in the murders of women and human rights workers, and concerns that failure to investigate the crimes is contributing to escalating violence. The letter cites statistics from the Guatemalan National Civil Police showing that the number of women murdered in 2005 was a 110 percent increase over the number of women murdered in 2002. During 2005, 224 human rights defenders were the victims of assault, an 83.6 percent increase from the 122 attacks recorded in 2004. A 2004 report by the Organization of American States Special Rapporteur on Women indicates that the justice system has not responded effectively to these crimes, and that failure has contributed to a growing sense of impunity, and growing concerns about safety among women. The letter called on the State Department to undertake diplomatic measures to address the crisis. Specifically, it asked for the U.S. to provide technical assistance and resources to support the timely investigation of homicides, as well as public support for the Guatemalan human rights ombudsman and other victims' rights advocates. Additionally, it called for support for the implementation of the National Plan for the Prevention and Eradication of Domestic and Interfamilial Violence. The letter was supported by a variety of organizations including the Guatemalan Human Rights Commission, the Washington Office on Latin America (WOLA), Amnesty International, the Center for Gender & Refugee Studies University of California, Hastings College of the Law, the Denver Peace and Justice Coalition, and the Chicago Religious Leadership Network on Latin America (CRLN). ### \n\t\n\t \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\n \n\t \t \n\t\t \n\t\t \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://lee.house.gov/news/press-releases/barbara-lee-and-28-colleagues-call-on-bush-to-repudiate-hud-secretarys-comments", "Barbara Lee and 28 Colleagues Call on Bush to Repudiate HUD Secretarys Comments", "2006-05-10", "2006", "2006-05", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "05.10.06\n\t\t\t Barbara Lee and 28 Colleagues Call on Bush to Repudiate HUD Secretary's Comments \n\t\t\t(Washington, DC) Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) and 28 of her House colleagues sent a letter to President Bush today, calling on him to publicly repudiate remarks made by Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Alphonso Jackson, who recently said he had revoked a HUD contract, based on the political beliefs of the contractor. The text of the letter follows: May 11, 2006 The President The White House Washington, DC 20500 Dear Mr. President: We are writing with great concern about the offensive, potentially illegal and incredible comments of U.S. Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Alphonso Jackson. In short, Mr. President, we call on you to repudiate Mr. Jackson's comments. A HUD spokesperson is now telling reporters that the Secretary's comments in Dallas were anecdotal and meant to demonstrate how Washington works. It doesn't matter if his comments were anecdotal, (which as a matter of semantics, doesn't mean untrue), whether the story is true or untrue the incident is deeply disturbing to us. In yesterday's Chicago Sun-Times: A spokeswoman acknowledged that Jackson told the story. But, she said, the story was untrue. The secretary's story was anecdotal. He is not part of the contracting process,' said HUD spokeswoman Dustee Tucker. 'He was trying to explain to this group how politics works in D.C.' While we are relieved to read Secretary Jackson is not involved in the contracting process, the whole story is disturbing on its face. As you are well aware, Mr. President, this is not how Washington works, nor is it the way your administration should work. If it does, it is illegal, pure and simple. Such comments degrade all of us who are in public service, and tells the American people that politics plays a role in the federal contracting and grant process, which is outrageous. HUD is an important agency, and we are concerned about the possible broader policy implications of the annual HUD affordable housing funds that are either awarded by competitive grants or are provided to public agencies and non-profits for which HUD regulates such expenditures. As you know, HUD provides billions of dollars of appropriated funds each year under competitive grants for a range of housing programs. These include the Section 202 elderly housing program, the Section 811 disabled housing program, Rural Housing and Economic Development Grants, McKinney/Vento homeless prevention grants, and Fair Housing funding. Mr. President, we call on you to issue a public statement of repudiation for the unfortunate comments of Secretary Jackson. Sincerely, U.S. Representatives Barney Frank, Maxine Waters, Carolyn Maloney, Luis Gutierrez, Nydia Velasquez, Melvin Watt, Gary Ackerman, Darlene Hooley, Julia Carson, Gregory Meeks, Barbara Lee, Dennis Moore, Michael Capuano, Ruben Hinojosa, Joseph Crowley, Steve Israel, Carolyn McCarthy, Joe Baca, Stephen Lynch, Brad Miller, David Scott, Emauel Cleaver, Debbie Wasserman Shultz, Gwen Moore, Bernard Sanders, Melissa Bean, Brad Sherman, Al Green ### \n\t\n\t \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\n \n\t \t \n\t\t \n\t\t \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://lee.house.gov/news/press-releases/barbara-lee-introduces-bill-to-reduce-fire-deaths", "Barbara Lee Introduces Bill to Reduce Fire Deaths", "2006-05-10", "2006", "2006-05", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "05.10.06\n\t\t\t Barbara Lee Introduces Bill to Reduce Fire Deaths \n\t\t\t(Washington, DC) Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) introduced the Safe Access in Fire Emergencies (S.A.F.E.) Act, legislation that would help reduce fire deaths caused by window security bars. This is a common sense step that we can take to stop preventable fire deaths, said Lee. People need the peace of mind of knowing that securing their houses against burglary doesn't mean making their families more vulnerable to fires. Lee's legislation directs the Consumer Product Safety Commission to develop a national standard for residential window bars. Residential window bars, also known as security or burglar bars, are installed to deter crime in private residences. However, these window bars are often a barrier to safe and swift exit in the case of fire. According to the United States Fire Association, children, the elderly, mobility impaired, and firefighters are especially vulnerable to fatalities or injuries involving residential window bars. Lee first learned about the many risks of residential window bars when five children perished in an Oakland house fire in 1995. Their escape was hampered by unopenable burglar bars, and their mother, who escaped, was unable to rescue her children. In 1997 we in the East Bay were horrified again when another nine people died in a residential fire when exit was again barred by residential window bars. For three years, Lee worked in California to develop clear labeling and a state standard for quick-release mechanisms in residential window bars. At least fourteen states including Alabama, Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Kansas, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, New Jersey, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, and Texas, have recorded deaths in residential fires as a result of entrapment by window bars. Last June five children were killed in a house fire in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; their escape was prevented by ground-level, residential window bars. ### \n\t\n\t \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\n \n\t \t \n\t\t \n\t\t \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://lee.house.gov/news/press-releases/barbara-lee-responds-to-reports-of-new-nsa-domestic-spying", "Barbara Lee Responds to Reports of New NSA Domestic Spying", "2006-05-10", "2006", "2006-05", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "05.10.06\n\t\t\t Barbara Lee Responds to Reports of New NSA Domestic Spying \n\t\t\t(Washington, DC) Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) released the following statement in response to news reports today that the Bush administration authorized another secret NSA program to monitor the telephone calls of Americans: I am deeply concerned by new evidence that the Bush administration is conducting warrantless surveillance of Americans, and I fear that, left unchallenged, President Bush's actions will do lasting damage to the Constitution and the principles upon which this nation was founded. It is very simple: we can defend our country without trashing the Constitution. The President is not above the law. The hypocrisy is unbelievable. Day after day, we hear the president talk about spreading rights and freedom in places like Iraq, when he is trampling on the rights and freedoms of Americans. ### \n\t\n\t \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\n \n\t \t \n\t\t \n\t\t \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://lee.house.gov/news/press-releases/barbara-lees-statement-on-world-aids-orphans-day", "Barbara Lee's Statement on World AIDS Orphans Day", "2006-05-05", "2006", "2006-05", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "05.05.06\n\t\t\t Barbara Lee's Statement on World AIDS Orphans Day \n\t\t\t(Washington, DC) - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) released the following statement on World AIDS Orphans Day, which is May 7th: \"This year as we recognize and commemorate the fifth annual World AIDS Orphans Day and the over 15 million children around the world who have lost one or both parents to this disease, there is plenty of reason to hope that change is very near on the horizon. \"Today, every 14 seconds another child is orphaned by AIDS. With parents dying at an alarming rate, children are left without food, shelter, education, or protection. The global orphan crisis is a profound humanitarian disaster that will be felt for decades to come. \"The truth is that in the developing world it is hard for most countries to provide care and treatment and support for children. \"There are far too few pediatric specialists who can diagnose, manage, and treat complex diseases like HIV/AIDS. \"There are far too few social workers trained to deal with the trauma and loss that children feel when they lose a parent to disease. \"And there are far too few support systems in place to help feed and care for children, to keep them healthy, make them feel loved and to give them the opportunity to go to school and get a job. \"US assistance is critical to bridging the gap for these children, and we have a moral duty to act. \"As the co-author of the bipartisan, bicameral, Assistance for Orphans and Vulnerable Children in Developing Countries Act of 2005, I strongly believe that we can and must do more to meet the needs of orphans and vulnerable children impacted by HIV/AIDS. \"With the passage of this law all of our foreign assistance to orphans and vulnerable children will now be coordinated by a new Special Advisor for Orphans and Vulnerable Children to ensure that they receive: basic care through the community; a chance to go to primary school; a nutritious school lunch; job training; their land and property inheritance; psychosocial support, and; treatment if they are living with HIV/AIDS. \"This bill will better focus our foreign assistance programs to address the special needs of orphans and vulnerable children, who are oftentimes a significant afterthought in our international programs. \"Monday marks the deadline for the administration to deliver to Congress its strategy for implementing this new legislation to ensure that all our programs in the field are working with each other to meet the needs of orphans and vulnerable children. \"Our challenge going forward today is to keep the pressure on the administration to deliver the strategy, and to make good on it by providing the funding we need to implement it-at least $400 million this year. \"These children need our help. With a modest amount of funding we can make a huge difference in the lives of children throughout the world.\" ### \n\t\n\t \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\n \n\t \t \n\t\t \n\t\t \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://lee.house.gov/news/press-releases/69-join-lee-in-call-for-more-funds-to-fight-hiv-tuberculosis-and-malaria", "69 Join Lee in Call for More Funds to Fight HIV, Tuberculosis and Malaria", "2006-05-04", "2006", "2006-05", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "05.04.06\n\t\t\t 69 Join Lee in Call for More Funds to Fight HIV, Tuberculosis and Malaria \n\t\t\t(Washington, DC) Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) sent a letter, signed by 69 members of Congress, calling on key members of the House Appropriations Committee to increase funding for global AIDS, tuberculosis (TB), and malaria programs. The United States can and must do more to lead the fight against these devastating pandemics by increasing funding for the Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, ensuring that children are treated and cared for, and increasing our contribution to the Global Fund to Fight HIV/AIDS Tuberculosis and Malaria, said Lee. For those who say we cannot afford to fight these diseases, I say we cannot afford not to. Today, an estimated 40 million people around the world are living with HIV/AIDS. Last year, an estimated 3 million people died of AIDS570,000 of who were children, while another 5 million people became infectedincluding 700,000 children. Women increasingly bear the brunt of the AIDS epidemic and in Sub-Saharan Africa they now account for more than 50 percent of all HIV/AIDS cases. In the developing world, HIV/AIDS is often compounded by co-infection with TB and malaria. Due to a lack of available drugs to treat these diseases, TB and malaria are actually the leading killers of people living with HIV/AIDS. Last year, one million people died of malaria, 90 percent of who were children, while two million people died of TB. Lee and her colleagues are calling for $7.54 billion for global AIDS, TB, and malaria programs in FY07with 10 percent of AIDS funding dedicated to orphans and vulnerable children, and at least $1.2 billion of all funds going towards the Global Fund. The request represents a significant increase in funding for the programs, but according to Lee it is based on what experts say is needed to control the diseases. For FY06, Congress appropriated $3.45 billion for the programs, with $550 million of that directed to the Global Fund. In his budget, the President requested almost $4 billion for FY07, with about $300 for Global Fund. Congresswoman Barbara Lee's accomplishments in promoting effective, bipartisan measures to stop the spread of HIV/AIDS and bring treatment to the infected have earned her recognition both at home and abroad as a leader in the fight against HIV/AIDS. Lee was a coauthor of the bipartisan legislation to designate $15 billion for the prevention, care, and treatment of HIV/AIDS, TB, and malaria. She authored the bill to establish the framework for the Global Fund to Fight HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria in 2002, as well as recently passed legislation to address the needs of orphans and vulnerable children, many of whom are victims of the HIV/AIDS pandemic. ### May 4, 2006 The Honorable Jerry Lewis The Honorable David Obey Chairman Ranking Member House Committee on Appropriations House Committee on Appropriations Room H-218, The Capitol 1016 Longworth House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515 Washington, D.C. 20515 Dear Chairman Lewis and Ranking Member Obey: We are writing to thank you for your previous efforts to increase funding for global AIDS, tuberculosis (TB), and malaria programs, and to strongly urge you to continue these efforts by approving a Fiscal Year 2007 appropriation totaling $7.54 billionof which 10 percent of AIDS funding should be dedicated to orphans and vulnerable children (OVC's), and at least $1.2 billion of all funds should go towards the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria. We believe that this level of funding will make a significant difference in reducing the spread of these three diseases, and will help prevent the deaths of hundreds of thousands of people in the coming year. As you know, we are currently in the third funding year of the $15 billion Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief which was enacted on a bipartisan basis by a wide margin through The United States Leadership Against HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria Act of 2003 (P.L. 108-25). This landmark piece of legislation recognizes the devastation that HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria are wreaking throughout much of the developing world, and makes the prevention, control, and cure of each disease a major objective of US foreign policy. The recent second annual report by the Office of the Global AIDS Coordinator points to a number of encouraging signs in the effort to scale up our foreign assistance programs to address HIV/AIDS, including support for 471,000 individuals on anti-retroviral treatment, and care services provided to over 1.2 million orphans and vulnerable children. Yet, even against these encouraging signs of progress, the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS estimates that 3 million people died of HIV/AIDS in 2005570,000 of whom were children, while another 5 million people were newly infectedincluding 700,000 children. Clearly much more needs to be done to combat this devastating disease. Following the passage last year of The Assistance for Orphans and Vulnerable Children in Developing Countries Act of 2005 (P.L. 109-95), and consistent with the requirements of the Leadership Act, we must do more this year to address the needs of children impacted by HIV/AIDS by providing at least 10 percent of all AIDS funding to OVC's in FY07, and ensure that we spend at least 15 percent of all AIDS treatment money on children. At the same time, we can and should focus more effort on combating the global tuberculosis and malaria pandemicsthe largest killers of people living with HIV/AIDS. As the primary vehicle for US foreign assistance efforts to combat TB and malaria, we must continue our strong support for the Global Fund. So far the Fund has approved $4.9 billion in funding to over 350 grants in 131 countries, and funded DOTS therapy for over 1 million TB cases, provided over 7.7 million insecticide treated bed nets to protect pregnant women and their children, and treated 1.1 million people for malaria. With further funding, the Global Fund can continue to make significant advances against these two diseases while complementing the work of the Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief. HIV/AIDS, TB and malaria are killers. We can and should appropriate a minimum of $7.54 billion to fight them in the coming fiscal year. The longer we wait to ramp up our foreign assistance efforts, the greater the toll that these three diseases will take on human life and on the social, political and economic systems of vulnerable countries, and the greater the cost will be to the international community. Sincerely, Barbara Lee, M.C. Tom Lantos, M.C. James A. Leach Corrine Brown, M.C. Doris O. Matsui, M.C. Henry A. Waxman, M.C. Tammy Baldwin, M.C. Diana DeGette, M.C. George Miller, M.C. Jim McDermott, M.C. Rush D. Holt, M.C. Tom Udall, M.C. Sherrod Brown, M.C. Maxine Waters, M.C. John Conyers Jr., M.C. James P. McGovern, M.C. Jerrold Nadler, M.C. Michael M. Honda, M.C. Robert Wexler, M.C. Ral M. Grijalva, M.C. Joseph Crowley, M.C. Dennis J. Kucinich, M.C. Carolyn B. Maloney, M.C. Gregory W. Meeks, M.C. Fortney Pete Stark, M.C. Eddie Bernice Johnson, M.C. Chris Van Hollen, M.C. Lloyd Doggett, M.C.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://lee.house.gov/news/press-releases/barbara-lee-congratulates-emeryville-company-on-hhs-award-novartis-vaccines-and-diagnostics-gets-220-million-for-influenza-research", "Barbara Lee Congratulates Emeryville Company on HHS Award Novartis Vaccines and Diagnostics Gets $220 Million for Influenza Research", "2006-05-04", "2006", "2006-05", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "05.04.06\n\t\t\t Barbara Lee Congratulates Emeryville Company on HHS Award Novartis Vaccines and Diagnostics Gets $220 Million for Influenza Research \n\t\t\t(Washington, DC) Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) congratulated Emeryville-based Novartis Vaccines and Diagnostics (formerly Chiron) for being selected as the recipient of a $220 million award from the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) for the development of cell-based production technologies for influenza vaccines. We need to be prepared for an influenza pandemic, and I'm proud that our district has been selected to help our nation meet that challenge, said Lee. The award was one of five totaling more than $1 billion announced today by HHS Secretary Mike Leavitt as part of the effort to produce flu vaccines more quickly, and produce them in the United States. ### \n\t\n\t \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\n \n\t \t \n\t\t \n\t\t \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://lee.house.gov/news/press-releases/51-reps-join-lee-in-call-for-fair-housing-funds", "51 Reps Join Lee in Call for Fair Housing Funds", "2006-05-03", "2006", "2006-05", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "05.03.06\n\t\t\t 51 Reps Join Lee in Call for Fair Housing Funds \n\t\t\t(Washington, DC) Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) sent a letter, signed by 51 members of Congress, calling on key members of the House Appropriations Committee to increase funding for programs to prevent housing discrimination. Fair housing education and enforcement play a pivotal role in increasing homeownership for people of color, said Lee. With increased funding for fair housing, we will be able to assist more individuals, the housing industry, and communities in forming integrated neighborhoods, free from discrimination. Lee's letter to Chairman Joseph Knollenburg (R-MI) and Ranking Member John Olver (D-MA) of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation, Treasury, HUD and the Judiciary, encouraged them to increase funding for the Department of Housing and Urban Development's (HUD) Fair Housing Initiatives Program (FHIP) to $50 million and to meet the President's budget request of $25 million for the Fair Housing Assistance Program (FHAP). The Fair Housing Initiative Program (FHIP) and the Fair Housing Assistance Program (FHAP) fund fair housing organizations and other non-profit groups to provide vital services to their communities. Grants are used for fair housing education and enforcement programs, processing at least two-thirds of the nation's fair housing complaints, detecting discrimination, and implementing data and information systems. Recent investigations of real estate agents, who were designated by HUD for testing, uncovered an 87 percent rate of racial steering and a 20 percent denial rate for African-Americans and Latinos. Although homeownership rates are at an all-time high, the homeownership gap between Whites and African Americans is worse than it was in 1940. According to the National Fair Housing Alliance, the gap was 23 percent in 1940 versus 27 percent today. Housing choice plays a crucial role in determining access to quality schools, jobs, health care services, recreational facilities and transportation, said Lee. Without programs to prevent it, housing discrimination forces minority populations to bear the high costs of segregation. ### May 3, 2006 The Honorable Joe Knollenberg Chairman Subcommittee for Transportation, Treasury, HUD and the Judiciary Committee on Appropriations 2358 Rayburn House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515 The Honorable John Olver Ranking Member Subcommittee for Transportation, Treasury, HUD and the Judiciary Committee on Appropriations 1016 Longworth House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515 Dear Chairman Knollenberg and Ranking Member Olver: As you prepare the Fiscal Year (FY) 2007 Transportation, Treasury, HUD and the Judiciary appropriations bill, we write to request you increase the Department of Housing and Urban Development's (HUD) Fair Housing Initiatives Program (FHIP) to $50 million for the nationwide fight against housing discrimination. We also request that you provide at least $25 million for the Fair Housing Assistance Program (FHAP). Despite the passage of the federal Fair Housing Act 38 years ago, more than 4 million fair housing violations still occur annually. Moreover, with evidence from HUD, the National Fair Housing Alliance, and others suggesting an increase in housing discrimination in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, we must ensure that enough funds are allocated to these programs. The Fair Housing Initiative Program (FHIP) funds fair housing organizations and other non-profit groups to provide vital services to their communities. Grants are used for education and enforcement programs and range from $22,000 to $275,000. Private fair housing organizations process at least two-thirds of the nation's fair housing complaints16,789 of the 26,092 complaints processed in 2005, and they are essential to detecting discrimination and enforcing the Fair Housing Act. The President has proposed level funding of $20 million for FY 2007; however this proposal includes over $1.2 million for set-asides for other programs. Our request for a funding level of $50 million for FHIP ensures private fair housing organizations have the resources to combat housing discrimination. Funding a $50 million level could provide 100 housing organizations for both necessary education and enforcement efforts, an issue that has been a problem since the mid-1990s, primarily due to lack of funds. Furthermore, it could allow for the creation of additional fair housing groups, hurricane-related fair housing activities, and a national media campaign, which has not been funded for two years despite a legislative requirement to do so. The Fair Housing Assistance Program (FHAP) funds fair housing grants annually on a non-competitive basis to substantially equivalent state and local fair housing enforcement agencies. Eligible activities include complaint processing, training, and implementation of data and information systems. The President's FY 2007 budget proposes $25 million for FHAP, the same amount we are requesting. While we recognize the budget constraints the Committee is under, we urge the Committee to provide at least the requested $25 million in FY 2007. Fair housing education and enforcement play a pivotal role in increasing homeownership for people of color. Recent investigations of real estate agents, who were designated by HUD for testing, uncovered an 87 percent rate of racial steering and a 20 percent denial rate for African-Americans and Latinos. Discrimination has a significant impact on a community's tax base and without the benefits of homeownership and integrated neighborhoods minority populations bear the high costs of segregation. Although homeownership rates are at an all-time high, the homeownership gap between Whites and Blacks is worse than it was in 1940. Twenty-three percent in 1940 versus 27 percent today confirms these programs need more resources and funding. Housing discrimination and segregation breed inequality. According to 2000 Census data, many parts of our nation are even more segregated than they were 20 years ago. Housing choice plays a crucial role in determining one's ability to access critical societal and economic functions: quality schools, jobs, health care services, recreational facilities and transportation. With increased funding, fair housing groups will be able to assist more individuals, the housing industry, and communities in forming integrated neighborhoods, free from discrimination. Thank you for your consideration. Sincerely, Barbara Lee Al Green Member of Congress Member of Congress Chaka Fattah Barney Frank Member of Congress Member of Congress Tammy Baldwin Jim McDermott Member of Congress Member of Congress Dale Kildee Luis Gutierrez Member of Congress Member of Congress Lloyd Doggett Raul Grijalva Member of Congress Member of Congress Bennie Thompson Joseph Crowley Member of Congress Member of Congress Emanuel Cleaver Dennis Kucinich Member of Congress Member of Congress Robert Wexler James McGovern Member of Congress Member of Congress Melvin L. Watt Michael Capuano Memb", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://lee.house.gov/news/press-releases/senate-follows-lees-lead-on-permanent-bases", "Senate Follows Lee's Lead on Permanent Bases", "2006-05-03", "2006", "2006-05", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "05.03.06\n\t\t\t Senate Follows Lee's Lead on Permanent Bases \n\t\t\t(Washington, DC) Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland), whose amendment to prevent the establishment of permanent military bases in Iraq was approved by the House, praised the Senate for their vote today in support of a similar measure introduced by Sen. Joe Biden (D-DE). Despite all of the division and the partisanship about when to leave Iraq and under what circumstances, I think there is one thing that EVERYONE ought to be able to agree on, namely that we should not be in Iraq permanently, said Lee. I applaud the Senate for taking this common sense step. As long as we keep the door to a permanent military presence open, we will continue to fuel the insurgency, undermine the security situation and keep the targets on our troops' backs. Biden's amendment, which would prevent funds from the Emergency Supplemental Appropriations bill from being used to establish permanent military bases in Iraq, was approved by the Senate today. Lee's amendment was unanimously approved by the House on March 16th on a voice vote. In 2005, Lee introduced H.Con.Res. 197, to make it the policy of the United States not to enter into any base agreement with the Government of Iraq that would lead to a permanent United States military presence in Iraq, which now has the bipartisan support of 81 cosponsors. ### \n\t\n\t \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\n \n\t \t \n\t\t \n\t\t \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://lee.house.gov/news/press-releases/barbara-lee-convenes-meeting-of-community-and-faith-leaders-on-immigration", "Barbara Lee Convenes Meeting of Community and Faith Leaders on Immigration", "2006-04-30", "2006", "2006-04", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "04.30.06\n\t\t\t Barbara Lee Convenes Meeting of Community and Faith Leaders on Immigration \n\t\t\t(Oakland, CA) As supporters of immigration reform again take to the streets, Congresswoman Barbara Lee convened a meeting of local community and faith leaders at the Ronald V. Dellums Federal Building in Oakland, to discuss the local impact of immigration policy and held a press conference with attendees to demonstrate the breadth and diversity of support within the community for an immigration policy that is comprehensive and fair. We are here to emphatically reject the cynical and divisive politics of scapegoating, and to call for a positive, comprehensive and just immigration policy that recognizes the basic human dignity of the millions of hardworking undocumented people living in this country, said Lee. Immigrants built this nation, and their contributions are a proud part of our heritage. The millions of people who are marching in cities and towns across this nation are only demanding an immigration policy that lives up to that heritage and the promise of opportunity that our nation has always stood for. The goal of the meeting and press conference was to bring together representatives from the African-American, Asian and Latino communities to demonstrate the community's diversity and unity in support of comprehensive immigration reform. A comprehensive policy has to address border security, but it must also include a process for earned legalization and a clear path to citizenship, and it has to address family reunification and the ability for children to pursue an education, said Lee. Participants included: Faith Leaders: Rev. Phil Lawson founding board member of Interfaith Coalition for Immigrant Rights; Rabbi David Cooper Kehilla Community Congregation; Rev. Kelvin Sauls Downs Memorial UMC; Rev. Dr. Larry Ashley - Cosmopolitan Baptist Church; Rev. Dr. Valerie Miles-Tribble Imani Community Church; Rev. Dr. Martha Taylor - Allen Temple Baptist Church; Rev. Dr. Harold Mayberry - First AME Church; Barbara Dawson Oakland Catholic Diocese; Fr. Tony Valdivia St. Louis Bertrand; Rev. Michael McBride - The Way Christian Center; Rev. Allen L. Williams - St. Paul AME Church; Logene Butler - McGee Avenue Baptist Church; Florence Wahl - St. Mary Magdalene Parish; Marta Higuera - St. Joseph the Worker Church; John Robinson - Manranatha Christian Center; Rabbi James Brandt Jewish Community Federation of the Greater East Bay. Community Leaders: Anita Sinha International Institute of the East Bay; Susan Bowyer International Institute of the East Bay; Henry Rosales Spanish Speaking Citizens Foundation; Joel Tena, Robet Salinas Centro Legal de la Raza; Andrew McComb Berkeley Organizing Congregations for Action; Jose Duenas Bay Area World Trade Center; Laura Arreola Bay Area World Trade Center; Sylvia Rosales-Fike and Mimi Nguyen AnewAmerica; Jesus Rodriguez Oakland Community Organizations; Raquel Aguirre Catholic Charities; Sister Maureen Duignan East Bay Sanctuary Covenant; Sherry Hirota Asian Health Services; Lillian Galedo Filipinos for Affirmative Action; Representative to be named Asian Law Caucus; Carl Chan Oakland Chinatown Chamber of Commerce; Amaha Kassa East Bay Alliance for Sustainable Economy; Evelyn Sanchez East Bay Alliance for Sustainable Economy; Jane Garcia La Clinica de la Raza; Lena Ayoub American Immigration Lawyers Association; David Kakishiba East Bay Asian Youth Center; Sin Yen Ling Asian Law Caucus; Vivian Chang and Mimi Ho Asian Pacific Environmental Network; Gilda Gonzales Unity Council; Jacquelyn G Newman America Immigration Lawyers Association Asylum Office Liaison. ### \n\t\n\t \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\n \n\t \t \n\t\t \n\t\t \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://lee.house.gov/news/press-releases/barbara-lees-remarks-for-rally-to-end-genocide-in-darfur", "Barbara Lee's Remarks for Rally to End Genocide in Darfur", "2006-04-30", "2006", "2006-04", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "04.30.06\n\t\t\t Barbara Lee's Remarks for Rally to End Genocide in Darfur \n\t\t\t(Oakland, CA) Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) will address the rally in San Francisco on Sunday as part of the National Day of Conscience for Darfur. Her remarks (as prepared) follow. Lee, who is the most senior Democratic woman on the House International Relations Committee, where she serves on the Africa Subcommittee, has been a leader in the effort to end the genocide in Darfur. She was an original cosponsor of both the resolution to declare the situation in Darfur a genocide and the Darfur Peace and Accountability Act, which the House just passed. She has also been a leading voice in the growing national movement to divest state pension funds and university endowments from companies whose business in Sudan is supporting the genocide. I want to thank all of you for your conscience and your commitment to ending this genocide in Darfur. Your voice can and will make the difference in this fight. 12 years ago, the world stood by as almost one million people were slaughtered in Rwanda. We must never, NEVER let another Rwanda take place. Never again and not on our watch. On an average day in Darfur tens of thousands of innocent civilians face the threat of torture, starvation, rape, and being uprooted from their homes, families, and livelihoods. Already an estimated 400,000 have died, nearly 3 million have been displaced, and millions more have been terrorized in the ongoing genocide that is being carried out by the Government of Sudan and the Janjaweed Nearly two years ago, on June 24th, 2004, I stood with the Congressional Black Caucus, Leader Pelosi and others and introduced H CON RES 467, declaring that genocide was occurring in Darfur, Sudan and that the Government of Sudan is responsible -- the same government which harbored Osama bin Laden. Tragically, and to our own shame, the genocide continues today almost two years later -- unabated. When I traveled to the region with my colleagues and Don Cheadle in January 2005, the refugees we met in the camps on the Darfur Chad border told us very clearly of the coordinated attacks by the government and the Janjaweed. The children drew pictures, depicting the government planes bombing villages, while the militias rode in on horseback to rape and slaughter. When I returned to Sudan this past February on a delegation with Leader Pelosi, Congressman George Miller, and others, it was clear that the situation is only getting worse. Just weeks ago, the House passed the Darfur Peace and Accountability Act, which is an important step, but we must do more. To end the genocide, we must use every tool possible to prevent the Khartoum government from acting with impunity - including hitting them where it counts: in the pocket book. That's why I have been working over the past two years to get our public pension funds to divest from companies doing business in Sudan. Because I believe that no one should have to worry that their retirement funds are supporting genocide. And you should know that many of my Bay Area colleagues, including George Miller, Lynn Woolsey, Tom Lantos and Nancy Pelosi have joined me in my efforts to push CalPERS and CalSTRS to ensure genocide free pensions. I'm proud to report that we are making real progress. Earlier this month, CalSTR's board voted in support of a motion put forward by another one of my partners in the divestment movement, State Treasurer Phil Angelides, expressing its intention to divest the fund's holding in companies doing business in Sudan. And of course we worked with STAND to move the University of California to adopt its divestment plan. And this movement is growing everyday. We must make sure that our pension plans here our voice: we do not want blood on our hands. Illinois, New Jersey and Oregon already have divested state funds and California, Connecticut, Georgian, Maine, Massachusetts, Maryland, New York, North Carolina, Indiana, Iowa, Rhode Island, and Texas are considering divestment legislation. Amherst, Brown, Dartmouth, Harvard, Samford, and Stanford, and Yale have divested or placed restrictions on investments in their funds. And at the national level, next week I'll be introducing a prohibiting multinational companies doing business in Sudan from receiving U.S. contracts and establishing support for state and university divestment efforts. So, we must keep up the pressure on our pension funds, our Universities, this administration, and the international community. Our motto should be: not another dime to enrich the killers in Khartoum! We can not fail in our efforts. Thanks to the incredible work you are doing we are making progress and we can and will put an end to the killing and suffering. ###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://lee.house.gov/news/press-releases/barbara-lee-introduces-environment-and-public-health-restoration-act-bill-requires-scientific-review-of-the-impact-of-bush-environmental-policies", "Barbara Lee Introduces Environment and Public Health Restoration Act Bill Requires Scientific Review of the Impact of Bush Environmental Policies", "2006-04-28", "2006", "2006-04", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "04.28.06\n\t\t\t Barbara Lee Introduces Environment and Public Health Restoration Act Bill Requires Scientific Review of the Impact of Bush Environmental Policies \n\t\t\t(Washington, DC) Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) introduced H.R. 5235, The Environment and Public Health Restoration Act, legislation that would require an extensive review of the impact of changes the Bush administration has made and proposes making to environmental policy. Over the last five years, through legislation and rule changes, the Bush Administration has effectively gutted the regulatory infrastructure for environmental protection, said Lee. By and large these environmental rollbacks have prioritized the short-term economic needs and interests of businesses over the long-term interest of public health and the people. Lee's bill will require an unbiased scientific review by the National Academies of Science of eight rule changes made during the Bush Administration to the Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act and the National Forest Management Act, as well as the so-called Healthy Forests Restoration Act, and the President's proposed Clear Skies Initiative to asses the impact on public health, air quality, water quality, wildlife, or the environment. The NAS will submit a publicly available report to Congress and the relevant departments and agencies that recommends either the restoration of the pre-existing rules or laws, or proposes improvements upon them in whole or in part. The administration will then have six months to report to Congress with a plan that implements the recommendations of the NAS. We need to put the science back into our environmental policies, and returning to policymaking for the common good, said Lee. Our policies should be designed to protect public health, air quality, water quality and the global climate, not pander to polluters. ### \n\t\n\t \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\n \n\t \t \n\t\t \n\t\t \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://lee.house.gov/news/press-releases/barbara-lee-to-address-rally-to-end-genocide-in-darfur", "Barbara Lee to Address Rally to End Genocide in Darfur", "2006-04-28", "2006", "2006-04", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "04.28.06\n\t\t\t Barbara Lee to Address Rally to End Genocide in Darfur \n\t\t\t(Oakland, CA) Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland), long a leader in the effort to end the genocide in Darfur, will address the rally in San Francisco on Sunday as part of the National Day of Conscience for Darfur. Nearly two years ago, on June 24th, 2004, I stood with the Congressional Black Caucus, Leader Pelosi and others and introduced H CON RES 467, declaring that genocide was occurring in Darfur, Sudan and that the Government of Sudan is responsible the same government which harbored Osama bin Laden, said Lee. Tragically, and to our own shame, the genocide continues today almost two years later unabated. The crisis is overwhelming but we can take action in effort to stop it and we must. We simply cannot stand by while genocide occurs. To end the genocide, we must use every tool possible to prevent the Khartoum government from acting with impunity - including hitting them where it counts: in the pocket book. That's why I have been working over the past two years to get our public pension funds to divest from companies doing business in Sudan. Because I believe that no one should have to worry that their retirement funds are supporting genocide, said Lee. Lee, who is the most senior Democratic woman on the House International Relations Committee, where she serves on the Africa Subcommittee, has been a leader in the effort to end the genocide in Darfur. She was an original cosponsor of both the resolution to declare the situation in Darfur a genocide and the Darfur Peace and Accountability Act, which the House just passed. She has also been a leading voice in the growing national movement to divest state pension funds and university endowments from companies whose business in Sudan is supporting the genocide. The rally begins at 1:30 PM at Crissy Field, in the Presidio. ### \n\t\n\t \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\n \n\t \t \n\t\t \n\t\t \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://lee.house.gov/news/press-releases/barbara-lee-congratulates-oakland-org-for-winning-dept-of-labor-award", "Barbara Lee Congratulates Oakland Org. for Winning Dept. of Labor Award", "2006-04-27", "2006", "2006-04", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "04.27.06\n\t\t\t Barbara Lee Congratulates Oakland Org. for Winning Dept. of Labor Award \n\t\t\t(Washington, DC) Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) congratulated the Oakland Private Industry Council (PIC) Cypress Mandela/Women in Skilled Trades (WIST) program for their selection as the winner of the Department of Labor's 2005 Exemplary Public Interest Contribution Award. On behalf of California's 9th U.S. Congressional District, I salute you for your ongoing work to train and place women in jobs throughout the employment spectrum, particularly those traditionally thought of as reserved exclusively for men, said Lee. Cypress Mandela/WIST has assisted countless individuals and families as they work toward economic security and an improved quality of life, and therefore has contributed enormously to the betterment of our community. Managed by the Oakland Private Industry Council, the Cypress Mandela/WIST Training Center offers a 16-week pre-apprenticeship program for Bay Area men and women over 18 years old. Training is both hands on and in the classroom and prepares students for skilled trades jobs relevant to today's construction industry. The Cypress Mandela Pre-Apprenticeship Training Program was initiated in 1993 to provide local residents with training and employment opportunities in repairing damaged freeways (resulting from the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake). The WIST Program began in 1988 as a means of preparing women to enter the male-dominated construction industry. Today, the two programs work together to train men and women to enter the skilled trades and other occupations with employers across the San Francisco Bay Area. ### \n\t\n\t \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\n \n\t \t \n\t\t \n\t\t \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://lee.house.gov/news/press-releases/barbara-lee-holds-second-congressional-hearing-on-bringing-troops-home-from-iraq", "Barbara Lee Holds Second Congressional Hearing on Bringing Troops Home from Iraq", "2006-04-27", "2006", "2006-04", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "04.27.06\n\t\t\t Barbara Lee Holds Second Congressional Hearing on Bringing Troops Home from Iraq \n\t\t\t(WASHINGTON, D.C.) Today, as the House Republican leadership announced that it plans floor debate on Iraq, U.S. Representatives Barbara Lee (D-CA.), Lynn Woolsey (D-CA), Maurice Hinchey (D-NY), and Maxine Waters (D-CA) co-chaired a second forum on ending U.S. military operations in Iraq and bringing U.S. troops home, while helping the Iraqis regain control over their country and their future. Today we are here to discuss questions that, quite frankly, no one in Washington - not the president, not the secretary of defense, not Congressional leaders - seems to want to ask, let alone answer, said Lee. But the American people are asking: when and under what circumstances are our troops coming home from Iraq? I believe they deserve an answer. Lee, as well as Representatives Jim McGovern (D-MA) and Tom Allen (D-ME), discussed legislative proposals to bring the troops home and prevent the establishment of permanent military bases in Iraq. As long as we keep the door to a permanent military presence open, we will continue to fuel the insurgency, undermine the security situation and keep the targets on our troops backs, said Lee. We must make our policy on this clear, and I will continue to encourage my colleagues to join the 81 members of both parties who have co-sponsored H.Con.Res. 197 and send a clear message on this issue. There are lots of disagreements about Iraq, but I think we can all agree that we should not be there permanently. Other witnesses included: Paul Pillar, Former National Intelligence Officer for the Near East and South Asia from 2000-2005 and long career in the CIA, faculty member of the Security Studies Program at Georgetown University, and author of Foreign Affairs feature article in March/April issue entitled Intelligence, Policy, and the War in Iraq.Ms. Faiza al-Araji, a native Shia Iraqi, married to a Sunni Iraqi, currently lives in Amman, Jordan, who spoke about her family's experiences in Iraq before and during the war and subsequent occupation.Dr. Dahlia Wasfi, who recently put her medical career on hold to visit with family members in Iraq, and recently returned from a three-month stay in Basra and Baghdad, and describe her experiences in Iraq and discuss the life of Iraqis under occupation.Charlie Anderson (Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class, U.S. Navy-Ret.), who served with the Marine Crops' Second Tank Battalion during the invasion of Iraq and is now the Southeast Regional Coordinator of Iraq Veterans Against the War and discussed his experiences in the military during the war in Iraq. ### \n\t\n\t \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\n \n\t \t \n\t\t \n\t\t \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://lee.house.gov/news/press-releases/house-accepts-lee-amendment-requiring-report-on-efforts-to-overthrow-democratic-governments", "House Accepts Lee Amendment Requiring Report on Efforts to Overthrow Democratic Governments", "2006-04-26", "2006", "2006-04", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "04.26.06\n\t\t\t House Accepts Lee Amendment Requiring Report on Efforts to Overthrow Democratic Governments \n\t\t\t(Washington, DC) Today, the House approved a measure introduced by Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) that would require the White House to submit classified reports on any efforts to overthrow democratically elected governments. I offer this amendment to support and protect our efforts to support democratic movements and to help ensure our actions are consistent with our values, said Lee. Actions that undermine democracies also undermine our credibility in the world and therefore our ability to be viewed as serious and legitimate agent of democracy. Lee's amendment to the Intelligence Authorization bill would require the President to submit a report to the House and Senate Intelligence Committees describing any authorization granted over the last ten years to engage in intelligence activities related to the overthrow of a democratically elected government. It was designed to increase transparency and access to information, yet maintain the classified nature of the information as it provides for review by members in a classified setting. The amendment was accepted on a voice vote. Lee, who is the most senior Democratic woman on the House International Relations Committee and Co-Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus Haiti Task Force, introduced legislation in the last two Congresses to create an independent, bipartisan commission to investigate the role of the Bush administration's role in the overthrow of the democratically elected government of Jean-Bertrand Aristide in February of 2004. ### \n\t\n\t \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\n \n\t \t \n\t\t \n\t\t \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"]], "truncated": false, "filtered_table_rows_count": 135, "expanded_columns": [], "expandable_columns": [], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "units": {}, "query": {"sql": "select url, title, date, year, month, party, chamber, state, member_name, bioguide_id, domain, scraper, source, date_source, text, has_text, collected_at, updated_at from releases where \"chamber\" = :p0 and \"party\" = :p1 and \"year\" = :p2 order by date desc limit 101", "params": {"p0": "House", "p1": "Democrat", "p2": "2006"}}, "facet_results": {"party": {"name": "party", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?chamber=House&party=Democrat&year=2006", "results": [{"value": "Democrat", "label": "Democrat", "count": 135, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?chamber=House&year=2006", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}, "chamber": {"name": "chamber", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?chamber=House&party=Democrat&year=2006", "results": [{"value": "House", "label": "House", "count": 135, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?party=Democrat&year=2006", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}, "state": {"name": "state", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?chamber=House&party=Democrat&year=2006", "results": [{"value": "CA", "label": "CA", "count": 135, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?chamber=House&party=Democrat&year=2006&state=CA", "selected": false}], "truncated": false}, "year": {"name": "year", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?chamber=House&party=Democrat&year=2006", "results": [{"value": "2006", "label": "2006", "count": 135, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?chamber=House&party=Democrat", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}}, "suggested_facets": [], "next": "2006-04-26,https~3A~2F~2Flee~2Ehouse~2Egov~2Fnews~2Fpress-releases~2Fhouse-accepts-lee-amendment-requiring-report-on-efforts-to-overthrow-democratic-governments", "next_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?chamber=House&party=Democrat&year=2006&_next=2006-04-26%2Chttps~3A~2F~2Flee~2Ehouse~2Egov~2Fnews~2Fpress-releases~2Fhouse-accepts-lee-amendment-requiring-report-on-efforts-to-overthrow-democratic-governments&_sort_desc=date", "private": false, "allow_execute_sql": true, "query_ms": 7.819479098543525, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}