{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "is_view": false, "human_description_en": "where party = \"Democrat\", state = \"CA\" and year = 2011 sorted by date descending", "rows": [["https://lee.house.gov/news/press-releases/lee-comments-on-the-passing-of-sanjiv-handa", "Lee Comments on the Passing of Sanjiv Handa", "2011-12-28", "2011", "2011-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.28.11\n\t\t\t Lee Comments on the Passing of Sanjiv Handa \n\t\t\t\r\n\tContact: Ricci Graham 510-763-0370\r\n\r\n\tOakland  Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-09) released the following statement upon learning of the passing of Oakland activist Sanjiv Handa:\r\n\r\n\tI am saddened to learn of the passing of Mr. Handa, who spent many years of his life attending every meeting at Oakland City Hall in the spirit of challenging the status quo and the city's leadership to do what they could to best serve the residents of Oakland.\r\n\r\n\tMr. Handa was a fixture in the community, known throughout the city of Oakland as a man who was determined to do all he could to improve the quality of life of the people of Oakland. Most importantly, Mr. Handa will be remembered for his unrelenting effort to holding public officials accountable for their actions and decisions.\r\n\r\n\tMy thoughts and prayers go out to Mr. Handa's family, his many friends and those with whom he worked closely over the years.\r\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-barbara-lee-statement-on-the-agreement-to-extend-payroll-tax-cut-and-unemployment-benefits", "Congresswoman Barbara Lee Statement on the Agreement to Extend Payroll Tax Cut and Unemployment Benefits", "2011-12-23", "2011", "2011-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.23.11\n\t\t\t Congresswoman Barbara Lee Statement on the Agreement to Extend Payroll Tax Cut and Unemployment Benefits   \n\t\t\t\r\n\tContact Kristal DeKleer (202) 225-1882\r\n\r\n\tWashington, D.C.  Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) issued the following statement after Congressional approval of a two-month extension of the payroll tax cut and unemployment benefits: \r\n\r\n\tToday's agreement allows 160 million American workers to keep their payroll tax cut, prevents 48 million seniors from losing access to their doctors, and provides unemployment benefits to millions of American workers who are currently out of a job. I look forward to working with my colleagues to ensure that these critical extensions continue through 2012.\r\n\r\n\tLong-term unemployment continues to be a national emergency and I will work to address the needs of those who have lost their job through no fault of their own, cannot find a job in this job market, and have exhausted all their unemployment benefits. While I am pleased that the House Republican plan to end unemployment benefits for millions was flatly rejected by the Senate, it is critical that we protect this critical safety net that prevents millions of families and children from falling into poverty. We must work to create jobs, pass the American Jobs Act, and reignite the American Dream for all.\r\n\r\n\t###\r\n\r\n\tFollow Barbara Lee on Twitter @RepBarbaraLee\r\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-calls-out-republican-roadblocks-and-distractions-to-payroll-tax-cut-and-extension-of-unemployment-benefits", "Lee Calls Out Republican Roadblocks and Distractions to Payroll Tax Cut and Extension of Unemployment Benefits", "2011-12-20", "2011", "2011-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.20.11\n\t\t\t Lee Calls Out Republican Roadblocks and Distractions to Payroll Tax Cut and Extension of Unemployment Benefits  \n\t\t\t\r\n\tContact Kristal DeKleer (202) 225-1882\r\n\r\n\tWashington, D.C.  Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) issued the following statement after a series of Republican procedural votes to block passage of H.R. 3630, the Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2011: \r\n\r\n\tI strongly support a plan to extend the payroll tax cut, which would prevent a tax increase directed at 160 million American workers. I strongly support an extension of unemployment benefits for the 13.3 million jobless workers, which would prevent Americans from falling into poverty.\r\n\r\n\tUnless Speaker Boehner can control the extreme Tea Party members of his Republican caucus, working families will see a tax increase next year. Unless Speaker Boehner can stop stalling, the unemployed will lose their lifeline, consumer spending will drop, and poverty will rise.\r\n\r\n\tHouse Republicans have put themselves in a horrendous political situation and have taken sole responsibility for a tax increase on working Americans after spending the past months defining themselves as defenders of tax breaks for millionaires. House Republican leaders are creating another crisis and this one is right before the holidays  brought to the American people by the Republican Do Nothing Congress.\"\r\n\r\n\t###\r\n\r\n\tFollow Barbara Lee on Twitter @RepBarbaraLee\r\n\r\n\tWatch Congresswoman Lee's floor speech here.\r\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-doe-decision-that-california-receive-race-to-the-top-early-learning-challenge-funds", "Lee Applauds DoE Decision that California Receive Race to the Top Early Learning Challenge Funds", "2011-12-16", "2011", "2011-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.16.11\n\t\t\t Lee Applauds DoE Decision that California Receive Race to the Top Early Learning Challenge Funds \n\t\t\t\r\n\tContact Kristal DeKleer (202) 225-1882\r\n\r\n\tWashington, D.C. Congresswoman Barbara Lee released the following statement following today's announcement that the State of California will be one of nine states to receive Race to the Top  Early Learning Challenge funds from the Departments of Education and Health and Human Services:\r\n\r\n\tI am very pleased to see this important funding for education be awarded to California. Making sure that all of our children  especially those from low-income and underserved families  are prepared for school by bolstering early childhood education is an important step towards ensuring just and equal access to education in this state and around the country. It is wonderful that the hard work of the applicants and my colleagues in the California delegation will be translated into concrete and positive improvements in the education of our next generation.\r\n\r\n\t###\r\n\r\n\tFollow Barbara Lee on Twitter @RepBarbaraLee\r\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-votes-against-2012-funding-bill", "Lee Votes Against 2012 Funding Bill", "2011-12-16", "2011", "2011-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.16.11\n\t\t\t Lee Votes Against 2012 Funding Bill \n\t\t\t\r\n\tContact Kristal DeKleer (202) 225-1882\r\n\r\n\tPartisan policy riders a gift to extreme Republican base\r\n\r\n\tWashington, D.C.  Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) issued the following statement after voting against the Conference Report on H.R. 2055, the Consolidated Appropriations Act: \r\n\r\n\tWhile the $1 trillion spending bill for 2012 is necessary to make our government function, the insertion of dangerous and short-sighted special interest riders meant to appease Republican Tea Party extremists will hurt millions of poor and struggling individuals and families in this country.\r\n\r\n\tI voted no because I cannot support a bill that distracts from the real work of protecting the American people from hardship and from the real work of investing in a more prosperous future for all Americans.\r\n\r\n\tThis bill reinstates the 1987 federal ban on funding for needle exchange programs which will undermine our efforts to prevent the spread of HIV and Hepatitis C. This bill includes funding for abstinence only sex education which fails to encourage optimal sexual health outcomes for America's youth. The bill also cuts critical funding for HIV prevention efforts in schools at a time when HIV rates among young men of color are increasing at an alarming rate. This bill is rigged with anti-environment policy riders which will increase pollution in our communities. Stunningly, this bill singles out women in Washington, D.C. by cutting off access to the same health and reproductive services available to women all across the country, which directly affects young women of color.\r\n\r\n\tNot one of these policy riders will raise the falling median incomes of American workers, nor will they create the millions of jobs necessary to grow the middle class. At a time when half of all Americans are either in poverty, near poor or low income, Congress should be focused on lifting these families up and reigniting the American Dream for all.\r\n\r\n\tI could not support a funding bill that continues to fund over $2 billion a week on a war without end in Afghanistan. As we successfully pull out of Iraq, we must allow the political process in Afghanistan to take over and immediately begin to pull our brave men and women in uniform out of harms' way. Let's bring our troops home and spend $2 billion a week on nation building here in our own country.\r\n\r\n\tWe must protect the social safety net and I hope that Congress will wisely extend unemployment compensation for Americans that are currently looking for work, especially for the long-term unemployed. Congress must also extend the payroll tax cut for the 160 million hardworking Americans who can't afford to see taxes go up by $1,000 at the beginning of next year.\r\n\r\n\t###\r\n\r\n\tFollow Barbara Lee on Twitter @RepBarbaraLee\r\n\r\n\t\r\n\r\n\tLinks to House Floor speech in opposition to H.R. 2055: http://bit.ly/vQdgJZ and http://bit.ly/vuxXFr \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-barbara-lee-joins-in-introduction-of-the-restore-the-american-dream-for-the-99percent-act", "Congresswoman Barbara Lee Joins in Introduction of the Restore the American Dream for the 99% Act", "2011-12-13", "2011", "2011-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.13.11\n\t\t\t Congresswoman Barbara Lee Joins in Introduction of the Restore the American Dream for the 99% Act \n\t\t\t\r\n\tContact: Kristal DeKleer (202) 225-1882\r\n\r\n\tWashington, D.C. Today Congresswoman Barbara Lee joined fellow members of the Congressional Progressive Caucus at a press conference marking the introduction of the Restore the American Dream for the 99% Act. (Summary of bill)\r\n\r\n\tThe Progressive Caucus has again put forward a bill to create an America that we can believe in again. If enacted, the RESTORE the American Dream Act would balance our budget and invest in our nation's future by creating over 5 million jobs and save 2 trillion dollars. We would end the war in Afghanistan, cut bloated and unnecessary Pentagon spending and prohibit permanent bases in Iraq.\r\n\r\n\tWe cannot abandon millions of jobseekers during the middle of a faltering recovery  especially communities of color which have been disproportionately impacted by the economy. Incredibly, Republicans would do exactly that. They would abruptly end unemployment benefits during the holiday season and would strip 2 million customers out of the economy by March and over 6 million customers out of the economy by the end of the year. They would reduce unemployment benefits to 59 weeks  just when people need more assistance not less! It is outrageous.\r\n\r\n\tNot only must we immediately extend the emergency unemployment benefits, as this bill would do, we need to add an additional 14 weeks of unemployment insurance for the millions of Americans who have already completely exhausted their benefits. And I'm pleased that this bill would do so by incorporating legislation, HR. 589 and Congressman Bobby Scott and I have authored.\r\n\r\n\tThere is a growing crisis with the long term unemployed and it is shameful that the Republicans continue to watch as hundreds of thousands more fall out of the middle class and into poverty.\r\n\r\n\tNearly 50 million Americans are already living in poverty. Struggling to feed their families and keep a roof over their heads. They are desperately trying to stay one step ahead of disaster, living from paycheck to paycheck and waiting for the other shoe to drop. The American people have run out of time and run out of patience.\r\n\r\n\tLet's pass the RESTORE the American Dream Act to re-invest in the future of this country and build up our roads and bridges and repair the sewer lines and build 21st century schools for all of our students.\r\n\r\n\tLet's put America back on track with American jobs, American manufacturing, American ingenuity and American leadership toward a brighter tomorrow for all Americans.\r\n\r\n\tWe must build these ladders of opportunity and take strong action to implement targeted programs and policies that ensure that we are a nation that truly does provide equal opportunity and equal access to the American Dream.\r\n\r\n\t###\r\n\r\n\tFollow Barbara Lee on Twitter@RepBarbaraLee\r\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-barbara-lee-attends-final-meeting-of-global-commission-on-hiv-and-the-law", "Congresswoman Barbara Lee Attends Final Meeting of Global Commission on HIV and the Law", "2011-12-12", "2011", "2011-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.12.11\n\t\t\t Congresswoman Barbara Lee Attends Final Meeting of Global Commission on HIV and the Law \n\t\t\t\r\n\tContact: Kristal DeKleer (202) 225-1882\r\n\r\n\tWashington, D.C.- Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) participated in the final meeting of Global Commission on HIV and the Law in Geneva, Switzerland, with the world's policy, human rights, and HIV leaders to discuss the health and human rights of people living with and affected by HIV and AIDS.\r\n\r\n\tThe effectiveness of the global HIV response will depend not just on the scale up of HIV prevention, treatment and care, but on whether the legal and social environment support or hinder programs for those who are most vulnerable,\" said Congresswoman Lee. This global drive is a significant step in removing the laws that fuel stigma and breed fear, discrimination, and distrust, and I look forward to carry forward the Commission's recommendations for the Unites States and the world.\r\n\r\n\tCongresswoman Lee is the only U.S. representative to the Global Commission on HIV and the Law. From February 2011 to September 2011, the Global Commission held seven regional dialogues - in Asia and the Pacific, the Caribbean, Eastern Europe and Central Asia, Latin America, Arab States, Africa, and High Income Countries (in Oakland, California). Through these regional dialogues, the Commission gathered and generated compelling evidence illustrating how repressive laws, policies and practices, that do not respect human rights, hamper effective HIV responses and how enabling legal environments that promote and protect the human rights can achieve tremendous progress. The Global Commission is expected to release a final report, to the United Nations General Assembly in the first quarter of 2012. Additionally, the Global Commission is expected to participate at the International AIDS conference in DC, July 2012. \r\n\r\n\tAs part of her work on the Commission, Congresswoman Barbara Lee introduced H.R. 3053 to require the Attorney General, Secretary of Health and Human Services, and the Secretary of Defense to review federal and state laws, policies, regulations, and judicial proceedings that involve criminal cases against people living with HIV/AIDS, and to provide support for education and reform initiatives.\r\n\r\n\t###\r\n\r\n\tFollow Barbara Lee on Twitter @RepBarbaraLee\r\n\r\n\t  \r\n\tCongresswoman Lee has been a leader in the fight against the global HIV/AIDS pandemic. She co-authored legislation signed into law creating the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB and Malaria in 2000, the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) in 2003, the PEPFAR Reauthorization Act in 2008, and in 2005 legislation addressing the needs of orphans and vulnerable children affected by HIV/AIDS. She has also been a leader in the effort to establish a NationalAIDS Strategy, and is a member ofthe Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health, Human Services & Educationwith jurisdiction over all domesticHIV/AIDS funding. She is the only United States representative on United Nations Development Programme's Global Commission on HIV and the Law and was the original sponsor of legislation that lead to the repeal of the Immigration and Travel ban that barred the entry of HIV positive individuals. The repeal allowed the International AIDS conference - scheduled for July 2012 in Washington DC -to be held in the U.S. after 20 years.\r\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-unified-school-district-to-receive-hhs-grant-to-expand-school-based-health-centers", "Oakland Unified School District to Receive HHS Grant to Expand School-Based Health Centers", "2011-12-09", "2011", "2011-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.09.11\n\t\t\t Oakland Unified School District to Receive HHS Grant to Expand School-Based Health Centers \n\t\t\t\r\n\tFor Immediate Release\r\n\r\n\tContact: Ricci Graham\r\n\r\n\t510-763-0370\r\n\r\n\tWashington D.C.  Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-09) announced today that the Oakland Unified School District (OUSD) has been selected to receive a $423,098 grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to help fund the district's school-based health centers.\r\n\r\n\tOUSD is planning to expand services provided by its school-based health centers, with the goal of increasing the district's ability to service students by 50 percent, and this funding will assist in that endeavor. School-based health centers enable students with acute or chronic illnesses to attend school and improve the overall health and wellness of children through special screenings, health promotion and disease prevention.\r\n\r\n\tThe grant is the second in a series of awards that are being made available to school-based health centers under the Affordable Care Act nationwide. A total of 45 school-based centers are being awarded $14 million in grants, allowing the number of children served by the centers to be increased by nearly 50 percent.\r\n\r\n\tI am pleased that the Oakland Unified School District has been selected to receive this important funding, said Congresswoman Lee. Oakland youth suffer disproportionately from a number of health conditions, and this funding will allow OUSD to expand services and provide additional access to important medical, mental health and health education services for students and their families.\r\n\r\n\t###\r\n\r\n\tFollow Barbara Lee on Twitter @RepBarbaraLee\r\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/2011/12/07/congresswoman-barbara-lee-urges-president-obama-to-expedite-troop-withdrawal-from-afghanistan", "Congresswoman Barbara Lee Urges President Obama to Expedite Troop Withdrawal from Afghanistan", "2011-12-07", "2011", "2011-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.07.11\n\t\t\t Congresswoman Barbara Lee Urges President Obama to Expedite Troop Withdrawal from Afghanistan \n\t\t\t\r\n\tFor Immediate Release\r\n\r\n\tContact\r\n\r\n\tKristal DeKleer (202) 225-1882\r\n\r\n\t\r\n\r\n\tBi-partisan letter to Obama: No military solution in Afghanistan, bring troops home  \r\n\t\r\n\r\n\tWashington, D.C.  Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) and Congressman Walter Jones (R-NC) were joined by 40 Members of the House of Representatives in sending a letter to President Obama urging him to speed up the return of all U.S. troops from Afghanistan.\r\n\r\n\tWe are calling on President Obama to recognize that there is no military solution in Afghanistan, and the longer we keep our troops there the longer we delay the progress of an Afghan-produced political solution, said Congresswoman Lee, co-chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus Peace and Security Task Force.\r\n\r\n\tThe latest poll indicates that 59 percent of likely voters want U.S. troops to withdraw within a year. Last week, the Senate adopted an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act offered by Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR) to require President Obama to submit a report detailing how U.S. troops will be quickly withdrawn from Afghanistan.\r\n\r\n\tNow that the President has accomplished every goal that was originally set in Afghanistan, it is time to bring home our brave men and women in uniform, Lee continued. After ten years and $460 billion invested in an unstable country with untrustworthy leadership, it is past time to end this war. The decade long war has already cost $444 billion of taxpayer dollars and taken the lives of 1,848 members of the armed services. Our troops have done everything we have asked of them, but they cannot be tasked with building up a modern nation state. It is time to bring our troops and tax dollars home.\r\n\r\n\t\r\n\r\n\t###\r\n\r\n\tFollow Barbara Lee on Twitter @RepBarbaraLee\r\n\r\n\t_______________________________________\r\n\r\n\tDecember 6, 2011\r\n\r\n\tPresident Barack Obama\r\n\r\n\tThe White House\r\n\r\n\t1600 Pennsylvania Ave NW\r\n\r\n\tWashington, D.C. 20500\r\n\r\n\t\r\n\r\n\tDear Mr. President,\r\n\r\n\tWe write to express our strong support for your recent decision to bring our troops home from Iraq by year's end. We were relieved to learn that our service men and women will be home from Iraq for the holidays.\r\n\r\n\tThe ongoing war in Afghanistan, by contrast, threatens to stretch our commitment into another decade. In August you announced the gradual removal of the surge troops, and yet over 70,000 troops will remain in Afghanistan at this time next year. This is unsustainable and counterproductive. There is unanimous agreement that the future of Afghanistan depends on Afghans and their regional allies implementing a political solution. There is simply no military solution to the current challenges in Afghanistan and maintaining an American military presence only delays the inevitable political process while putting our brave men and women in uniform in harms' way.\r\n\r\n\tFurthermore, it is crucial that Congress plays its proper Constitutional role in any decision to leave U.S. troops in a potential combat zone. While the United States is currently scheduled to hand over full control over security and remove all combat troops by the end of 2014, a new agreement could result in an indefinite military commitment and significant financial costs, all without further Congressional approval. Dating back to 2009, eleven acts authorizing and funding troop presence in Afghanistan have included a provision specifically prohibiting the establishment of permanent bases in Afghanistan. Any agreement that obliges the U.S. to a security commitment in Afghanistan must be bound by the Constitution, and be specifically authorized by an Act of Congress, or with the advice and consent of the Senate.\r\n\r\n\tWhile reports indicate that President Karzai plans on requiring any future strategic partnership agreement with the U.S. to be approved by the Afghan Parliament, a traditional tribal gathering, or both, there is no plan to have similar Congressional input. It is unconscionable that America could make new, lasting military commitments of tens of thousands of soldiers and hundreds of billions of dollars without express approval from Congress.\r\n\r\n\tRebuilding America must remain our top priority, and this should be reflected in our budgetary priorities. We need to end the wars and invest the savings in job creation for our future.\r\n\r\n\t\r\n\r\n\tSincerely,\r\n\r\n\t\r\n\r\n\tRepresentative Barbara Lee Representative Walter Jones\r\n\r\n\t\r\n\r\n\tBaldwin\r\n\r\n\tBlumenauer\r\n\r\n\tCapuano\r\n\r\n\tClarke (Yvette)\r\n\r\n\tConyers\r\n\r\n\tDavis (Danny)\r\n\r\n\tDeFazio\r\n\r\n\tDeGette\r\n\r\n\tEdwards\r\n\r\n\tEllison\r\n\r\n\tFarr\r\n\r\n\tFilner\r\n\r\n\tGrijalva\r\n\r\n\tHahn\r\n\r\n\tHastings (Alcee)\r\n\r\n\tHolt\r\n\r\n\tHonda\r\n\r\n\tJackson Jr.\r\n\r\n\tJohnson (Tim)\r\n\r\n\tLewis (John)\r\n\r\n\tLofgren\r\n\r\n\tMaloney\r\n\r\n\tMcDermott\r\n\r\n\tMcGovern\r\n\r\n\tMichaud\r\n\r\n\tMiller (George)\r\n\r\n\tMoore\r\n\r\n\tNadler\r\n\r\n\tNorton\r\n\r\n\tOlver\r\n\r\n\tPayne\r\n\r\n\tPingree\r\n\r\n\tRichardson\r\n\r\n\tSerrano\r\n\r\n\tSpeier\r\n\r\n\tStark\r\n\r\n\tTowns\r\n\r\n\tTsongas\r\n\r\n\tWelch\r\n\r\n\tWoolsey \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-police-department-welcomes-new-recruits", "Oakland Police Department Welcomes New Recruits", "2011-12-06", "2011", "2011-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.06.11\n\t\t\t Oakland Police Department Welcomes New Recruits \n\t\t\t\r\n\tClass recruited for OPD secured through federal funding\r\n\r\n\tFor Immediate Release\r\n\r\n\tContact: Ricci Graham\r\n\r\n\t510-763-0370\r\n\r\n\tWashington D.C.  Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-09) issued the following statement today in recognition of the 10 police recruits who were welcomed into the Oakland Police Department (OPD) by Oakland Mayor Jean and OPD Chief Howard Jordan.\r\n\r\n\tThe city of Oakland and OPD were able to hire the recruits as a result of a $10 million grant Congresswoman Lee worked to secure through the Department of Justice, Office of Community Policing Hiring Program. With this funding, OPD was also able to rehire 15 officers who were laid off in 2010.\r\n\r\n\tI welcome the new recruits and thank them in advance for their service in our community, Congresswoman Lee said. I also welcome back the 15 returning officers who were laid off last year and who showed their commitment to the city by returning to the department.\r\n\r\n\tCrime is of great concern among residents of the City of Oakland, and it's imperative that we continue our efforts to secure federal dollars that will enhance staffing levels in the department and assist in the continued development of responsible and robust public safety strategies here in the city of Oakland.\r\n\r\n\t###\r\n\r\n\tFollow Barbara Lee on Twitter @RepBarbaraLee\r\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/uc-berkeley-awarded-15-million-epa-grant-to-study-factors-in-childhood-leukemia", "UC Berkeley Awarded $1.5 Million EPA Grant to Study Factors in Childhood Leukemia", "2011-12-06", "2011", "2011-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.06.11\n\t\t\t UC Berkeley Awarded $1.5 Million EPA Grant to Study Factors in Childhood Leukemia \n\t\t\tFor Immediate Release\r\nContact: Ricci Graham\r\n510-763-0370\r\nWashington D.C.  Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-09) is pleased to announce that the University of California, Berkeley has been selected to receive a $1,511,876 grant from the United States Environment Protection Agency (EPA) to support the work of the University's Integrative Research-Childhood Leukemia and Environment Center.\r\nThe funding will be used by the Integrative Research-Childhood Leukemia and Environment Center to examine the effects of chemical exposure and genetic factors in the development of childhood leukemia. Research funded by this award will build on previous studies that cite exposure to potentially carcinogenic chemicals, including tobacco and pesticides, in the childhood leukemia.\r\nI congratulate the University of California at Berkeley for being selected to receive this funding, Congresswoman Lee said. In the spirit of environmental justice, this funding will help bring light to the factors that lead to this difficult and complex disease.\r\n###\r\nFollow Barbara Lee on Twitter @RepBarbaraLee\r\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-statement-on-november-jobs-report", "Lee Statement on November Jobs Report", "2011-12-02", "2011", "2011-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.02.11\n\t\t\t Lee Statement on November Jobs Report \n\t\t\t\r\n\tFor Immediate Release\r\n\t\r\n\r\n\tContact\r\n\tKristal DeKleer (202) 225-1882\r\n\r\n\tWashington, D.C. Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) issued the following response to the figures released by the Department of Labor showing a slight decline in unemployment rates:\r\n\r\n\tThe U.S. gained 120,000 new jobs in November and the national unemployment rate fell to 8.6 percent from 9.0 percent. While I am pleased that jobs are slowly returning, immediate action must be taken to create the millions of new jobs that are so desperately needed to boost demand in the economy and to keep Americans from falling into poverty.\r\n\r\n\tThere is plenty of discouraging news hidden in the November unemployment figures. The long term unemployment picture is not improving, with the average length of unemployment rising from 39.4 weeks to 40.9 weeks. We must immediately extend the expiring emergency unemployment benefits and we must pass H.R. 589 which would immediately add 14 weeks of unemployment benefits for the millions of Americans who have completely exhausted their benefits while struggling to find work.\r\n\r\n\tIn addition, there was a startling rise of unemployment among African Americans, from 15.1 percent to 15.5 percent in the same time period. There can be no clearer reminder of the ongoing racial and ethnic disparities that continue to plague our nation and keep minority communities suffering disproportionately higher rates of unemployment, poverty, and tragic health disparities like unconscionably higher rates of HIV infection.\r\n\r\n\tThe Bureau of Labor Statistics categorized the 0.4 percent reduction in unemployment as a notable decline,' yet the same 0.4 percent increase in African American unemployment is categorized as little or no change.' African Americans faced a marked increase in their unemployment and it should not be downplayed or ignored. We should be taking strong action to implement targeted programs and policies that ensure that we are a nation that truly does provide equal opportunity and equal access to the American Dream.\r\n\r\n\t100 million people  1 in 3 Americans  live in poverty or the zone just above poverty. We must do more to immediately create millions of new jobs, not just the few thousand that are being slowly generated by the private sector alone. This is nothing short of a national emergency.\r\n\r\n\t\r\n\r\n\t###\r\n\r\n\tFollow Barbara Lee on Twitter @RepBarbaraLee\r\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-barbara-lee-participates-in-panel-discussion-with-obama-clinton-bush-for-world-aids-day", "Congresswoman Barbara Lee Participates in Panel Discussion  with Obama, Clinton, Bush for World AIDS Day", "2011-12-01", "2011", "2011-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.01.11\n\t\t\t Congresswoman Barbara Lee Participates in Panel Discussion  with Obama, Clinton, Bush for World AIDS Day \n\t\t\t\r\n\tContact: Kristal DeKleer (202) 225-1882\r\n\r\n\tLee Commends Administration for New Commitments; Says Congress Must Act to Fully Fund AIDS Programs\r\n\r\n\tWashington, D.C.  Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA), a founding co-chair of the Congressional HIV/AIDS Caucus, observed World AIDS Day by participating in a panel discussion with President Barack Obama, who announced new commitments for fighting domestic and global AIDS. The Congresswoman joined leading AIDS advocates including former presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush, along with Tanzania's President Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete, Bono, and Alicia Keys. The event was sponsored by ONE and (RED), organizations that combat global poverty and AIDS.\r\n\r\n\tWe have worked very hard to target resources to the communities that have been hardest hit by this disease and I am pleased that the President found a way to address the immediate needs of thousands of Americans currently on the waiting list for life-saving drugs, said Lee. At this momentous time in the fight to end the AIDS epidemic, President Obama's leadership is invaluable in our renewed efforts. The commitment from the Administration to scale-up treatment to 6 million people has the potential to transform the international response to this devastating epidemic and making the end of AIDS the legacy of our generation.\r\n\r\n\tWhile the President announced an increase of $50 million for domestic treatment, efforts are underway on Capitol Hill to preserve essential global AIDS programs. Congresswoman Barbara Lee was joined by 102 Members of the House of Representatives in sending a letter to the House and Senate Committees on Appropriations requesting robust funding for vital global health programs in Fiscal Year 2012. Specifically, the Members requested that appropriators support the Senate's proposed funding level for bilateral and multilateral global health programs, including $5.25 billion for the U.S. President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) and $1.05 billion for the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria.\r\n\r\n\tThe United States has made tremendous progress in our global and domestic response to AIDS, but we still have a long way to go, said Congresswoman Lee. Now is the time to act boldly and to invest in a future for America and the world that is more prosperous, more equal, and free of HIV and AIDS.\r\n\r\n\tAIDS is still the greatest humanitarian crisis of our lifetime. Thirty-four million people are living with HIV globally, including 1.2 million in the United States. Of the 15 million people medically recommended for anti-retroviral medication, only half have access to the drug treatment. Even in our own country, more than 5,000 people wait to gain access. African Americans especially women of color and young gay/bisexual menstill face the most severe burden of HIV in the United States.\r\n\r\n\tThirty years after the first discovery of AIDS cases, the United States has made tremendous progress in its response to the global and domestic crisis. HIV infections worldwide are at their lowest levels since 1997. Recent scientific advancements have resulted in revolutionary breakthroughs in the AIDS response, including groundbreaking research that shows that treatment can reduce new HIV infections by up to 96%.\r\n\r\n\t###\r\n\r\n\tFollow Barbara Lee on Twitter @RepBarbaraLee\r\n\r\n\tCongresswoman Lee has been a leader in the fight against the global HIV/AIDS pandemic. She co-authored legislation signed into law creating the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB and Malaria in 2000, the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) in 2003, the PEPFAR Reauthorization Act in 2008, and in 2005 legislation addressing the needs of orphans and vulnerable children affected by HIV/AIDS. She has also been a leader in the effort to establish a NationalAIDS Strategy, and is a member ofthe Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health, Human Services & Educationwith jurisdiction over all domesticHIV/AIDS funding. She is the only United States representative on United Nations Development Programme's Global Commission on HIV and the Law and was the original sponsor of legislation that lead to the repeal of the Immigration and Travel ban that barred the entry of HIV positive individuals. The repeal allowed the International AIDS conference - scheduled for July 2012 in Washington DC -to be held in the U.S. after 20 years.\r\n\r\n\t \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-demands-relief-for-long-term-unemployed", "Lee Demands Relief for Long-Term Unemployed", "2011-11-30", "2011", "2011-11", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "11.30.11\n\t\t\t Lee Demands Relief for Long-Term Unemployed  \n\t\t\t\r\n\tContact: Kristal DeKleer (202) 225-1882\r\n\r\n\tWashington, D.C. Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) issued the following statement at a press conference with unemployed workers, labor activists, Labor Secretary Solis, and members of the House and Senate to call for a renewal of federal unemployment insurance programs, scheduled to expire at the end of the year: \r\n\r\n\tThank you to Ranking Member Levin, Congressman Doggett, Whip Hoyer, Assistant Leader Clyburn, Senator Harkin, Senator Reed, Senator Whitehouse, and all the other leaders that are working so hard for the millions of Americans struggling to find a job during this holiday season. I would also like to thank Secretary Solis for her leadership and commitment to getting America's work force back to work.\r\n\r\n\tAs this jobless recovery continues, more and more Americans are long-term unemployed and now the jobs crisis has left so many people out of work for so long that most of America's unemployed are no longer receiving unemployment benefits.\r\n\r\n\t\"2 million Americans have exhausted a full 99 weeks of unemployment and still cannot find a job.\r\n\r\n\tIt is critical that we extend the expiring emergency unemployment insurance benefits before the end of the year, but that extension will not help the millions of Americans who have run out of time, the so-called 99ers. H.R. 589 is my bill to extend unemployment compensation for an additional fourteen weeks for the 99ers  and this bill must be included in an unemployment extension package going forward.\r\n\r\n\tThe AP reports that Early last year, 75 percent (of the unemployed) were receiving checks. The figure is now 48 percent  a shift that points to a growing crisis of long-term unemployment. Nearly one-third of America's 14 million unemployed have had no job for a year or more.\r\n\r\n\tProviding support for America's long-term unemployed will not only boost our stalled economy, but it will keep millions of families out of poverty which is the morally right thing to do. We need to reignite the American Dream and work to provide ladders of opportunity for all. We need UI extension and we need it now. Not just for the millions about to run out, but for the millions who ran out a long time ago.\r\n\r\n\t###\r\n\r\n\tFollow Barbara Lee on Twitter @RepBarbaraLee\r\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-unified-school-district-one-of-23-districts-named-as-2011-grant-recipients-by-us-department-of-education", "Oakland Unified School District One of 23 Districts Named as 2011 Grant Recipients by U.S. Department of Education", "2011-11-23", "2011", "2011-11", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "11.23.11\n\t\t\t Oakland Unified School District One of 23 Districts Named as 2011 Grant Recipients by U.S. Department of Education \n\t\t\t\r\n\tContact: Kristal DeKleer (202) 225-1882\r\n\r\n\tOakland, CA Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-09) is pleased to announce that U.S. Department of Education has named Oakland Unified School District (OUSD) one of the 23 highest-rated Investing in Innovation grant applicants in the nation, setting the district up to receive vital federal funding to improve student performance.\r\n\r\n\tOUSD was among 600 applicants for the 2011 Investing in Innovations funding. As a highest-rated applicant, OUSD stands to receive $3 million in funding, provided that the district is able to secure the equivalent of 15 percent of the award in matching funds by December 9, 2011.\r\n\r\n\tUnder the grant's guidelines, the U.S. Department of Education will award funding to districts that work to improve the participation and success of underserved students in advanced academic programs, develop new interim assessment strategies for students, and use the results of assessments to implement innovative educational programs.\r\n\r\n\tIt is a tribute to the leadership of OUSD that the district is among 23 finalists in the nation selected for this important grant program, said Congresswoman Barbara Lee. As we all know, investing in innovative educational programs helps to dramatically improve student achievement and increases their chances of securing a college education.\r\n\r\n\t###\r\n\r\n\tFollow Barbara Lee on Twitter @RepBarbaraLee\r\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-barbara-lee-joined-by-100-members-in-calling-on-appropriators-to-preserve-essential-global-aids-programs", "Congresswoman Barbara Lee Joined by 100+ Members in Calling on Appropriators to Preserve Essential Global AIDS Programs", "2011-11-22", "2011", "2011-11", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "11.22.11\n\t\t\t Congresswoman Barbara Lee Joined by 100+ Members in Calling on Appropriators to Preserve Essential Global AIDS Programs \n\t\t\t\r\n\tContact: Kristal DeKleer (202) 225-1882\r\n\r\n\tWashington, D.C. Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) was joined by 102 Members of the House of Representatives in sending a letter to the House and Senate Committees on Appropriations requesting robust funding for vital global health programs in Fiscal Year 2012. Specifically, the Members requested that appropriators support the Senate's proposed funding level for bilateral and multilateral global health programs, including $5.25 billion for the U.S. President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) and $1.05 billion for the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria.\r\n\r\n\tU.S.-funded research resulted in enormous progress in shaping the response to AIDS and malaria worldwide, said Congresswoman Lee, co-chair of the Congressional HIV/AIDS Caucus. PEPFAR and the Global Fund are reducing disease burden in low and middle-income countries, and these programs have important national security and diplomatic elements for the United States. Global health programs amount to a fraction of one percent of the federal budget, but they affect the lives of tens of millions, guard against future conflicts, open up developing markets, and will have lasting impact on the global AIDS epidemic in the long term. As a recent UNAIDS report shows, 34 million people are living with HIV globally. Only 50% of all people eligible for HIV treatment in the world now have access, while 7.6 million people await treatment, including more than 5,000 people in the United States. Additionally, in 2010 alone, 1.8 million people died of AIDS-related illness, underscoring that AIDS remains the greatest humanitarian crisis of our lifetime.\r\n\r\n\tThe science of AIDS prevention has been transformed over the last 18 months, and America cannot abandon these efforts now, Lee continued. Now more than ever, we must leverage our scientific tools with our will to defeat this epidemic  and provide adequate funding to reduce transmission rates, save lives, and remain a global leader in this fight.\r\n\r\n\t###\r\n\r\n\tNovember 21, 2011\r\n\r\n\tDear Chairmen Leahy and Granger, and Ranking Members Graham and Lowey:\r\n\r\n\tAs you begin negotiations on a final Fiscal Year 2012 Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations bill, we write to respectfully request that you secure funding for bilateral and multilateral HIV/AIDS programs at the levels proposed in S.1601, Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2012.\r\n\r\n\tWe urge support for $7.9 billion for global health programs contained in the Senate mark. More specifically, we urge you to support, at the very least, $5.25 billion for the U.S. President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) and $750 million for the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, as explicitly allocated in S. 1601. In total, we support $1.05 billion for the Global Fund (of which $300 million is contained in the Senate Labor, Health and Human Services appropriations bill). Moreover, we are strongly opposed to language contained in the House Subcommittee Mark prohibiting funding for syringe exchange programs, which are proven to reduce the incidence of HIV infection.\r\n\r\n\tU.S. global health programs including PEPFAR, along with U.S. contributions to the Global Fund, are reducing disease burden in low- and middle-income countries, and these programs have important national security and diplomatic elements for the United States. Global health programs directly impact American security interests by stabilizing parts of the world where extremism and a lack of alternatives are a recipe for future conflict. The economic impact of global health activities is also felt in the U.S., providing thousands of jobs to help plan and implement global health programming and to conduct health-related research at colleges and universities.\r\n\r\n\tThanks to the help of the United States, the Global Fund has grown into a proven, country-driven, performance-based mechanism which ensures that countries themselves are responsible for building their own sustainable programs. The Global Fund has a robust history of improving its function and continues to do so through its recent announcement of an improvements agenda to further ensure every dollar is utilized effectively, remains accountable, and is transparent in operation. \r\n\r\n\tWe also welcome PEPFAR's leadership on advancing combination HIV prevention approaches and urge the conferees to ensure that these interventions are implemented to their fullest and meet the needs of those most at-risk, especially marginalized populations. Moreover, integration of HIV/AIDS prevention, care and treatment programs--and, where appropriate, other critical global health programs funded by this bill, including maternal health, child survival, family planning/reproductive health, and nutrition--is critical for ensuring that the health needs of individuals are met and the impact of funding is maximized.\r\n\r\n\tIn recent months, US-funded research has made enormous progress in shaping the response to AIDS and malaria worldwide. These remarkable scientific advances call for a renewed emphasis on ensuring that we maintain robust support for PEPFAR and the Global Fund and continue the vital U.S. commitment to the fight against global HIV/AIDS, TB and malaria.\r\n\r\n\tThese programs amount to a fraction of one percent of the federal budget, but they affect the lives of tens of millions, guard against future conflicts, open up developing markets, and will have lasting impact on the global AIDS epidemic in the long term.\r\n\r\n\tThank you for considering this request.\r\n\r\n\tBarbara Lee  \r\n\tMember of Congress\r\n\r\n\tGary Ackerman  \r\n\tJoe Baca  \r\n\tTammy Baldwin  \r\n\tKaren Bass  \r\n\tShelley Berkley  \r\n\tHoward Berman  \r\n\tSanford Bishop  \r\n\tEarl Blumenauer  \r\n\tMadeleine Bordallo  \r\n\tRobert Brady  \r\n\tBruce Braley  \r\n\tCorrine Brown  \r\n\tG.K. Butterfield  \r\n\tLois Capps  \r\n\tMichael Capuano  \r\n\tRuss Carnahan  \r\n\tAndre Carson  \r\n\tDonna Christensen  \r\n\tJudy Chu  \r\n\tDavid Cicilline  \r\n\tHansen Clarke  \r\n\tYvette Clarke  \r\n\tWm. Lacy Clay  \r\n\tEmanuel Cleaver  \r\n\tSteve Cohen  \r\n\tJohn Conyers  \r\n\tJoseph Crowley  \r\n\tElijah Cummings  \r\n\tDanny Davis  \r\n\tDiana DeGette  \r\n\tRosa DeLauro  \r\n\tTheodore Deutch  \r\n\tDonna Edwards  \r\n\tKeith Ellison  \r\n\tEliot Engel  \r\n\tSam Farr  \r\n\tChaka Fattah  \r\n\tBob Filner  \r\n\tBarney Frank  \r\n\tMarcia Fudge  \r\n\tJohn Garamendi  \r\n\tAl Green  \r\n\tRaul Grijalva  \r\n\tLuis Gutirrez  \r\n\tColleen Hanabusa  \r\n\tAlcee Hastings  \r\n\tMaurice Hinchey  \r\n\tRuben Hinojosa  \r\n\tRush Holt  \r\n\tMike Honda  \r\n\tEddie Bernice Johnson  \r\n\tHank Johnson  \r\n\tDale Kildee  \r\n\tDennis Kucinich  \r\n\tSheila Jackson Lee  \r\n\tSander Levin  \r\n\tJohn Lewis  \r\n\tZoe Lofgren  \r\n\tCarolyn Maloney  \r\n\tDoris Matsui  \r\n\tJim McDermott  \r\n\tJames McGovern  \r\n\tGregory Meeks  \r\n\tGeorge Miller  \r\n\tGwen Moore  \r\n\tJames Moran  \r\n\tJerrold Nadler  \r\n\tGrace Napolitano  \r\n\tEleanor Holmes Norton  \r\n\tJohn Olver  \r\n\tEd Pastor  \r\n\tDonald Payne  \r\n\tEd Perlmutter  \r\n\tJared Polis  \r\n\tDavid Price  \r\n\tMike Quigley  \r\n\tCharles Rangel  \r\n\tLaura Richardson  \r\n\tCedric Richmond  \r\n\tLucille Roybal-Allard  \r\n\tBobby Rush  \r\n\tTim Ryan  \r\n\tJohn Sarbanes  \r\n\tJanice Schakowsky  \r\n\tDebbie Wasserman Schultz  \r\n\tBobby Scott  \r\n\tDavid Scott  \r\n\tJose Serrano  \r\n\tTerri Sewell  \r\n\tAlbio Sires  \r\n\tLouise Slaughter  \r\n\tJackie Speier  \r\n\tPete Stark  \r\n\tBetty Sutton  \r\n\tBennie Thompson  \r\n\tEdolphus Towns  \r\n\tChris Van Hollen  \r\n\tMaxine Waters  \r\n\tMelvin Watt  \r\n\tHenry Waxman  \r\n\tFrederica Wilson  \r\n\tLynn Woolsey", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://lee.house.gov/news/press-releases/lee-statement-on-joint-select-committee-on-deficit-reduction", "Lee Statement on Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction", "2011-11-21", "2011", "2011-11", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "11.21.11\n\t\t\t Lee Statement on Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction  \n\t\t\t\r\n\tContact: Kristal DeKleer (202) 225-1882\r\n\r\n\tOakland, CA  Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) issued the following statement after the Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction (Super Committee) announced that an agreement was not reached: \r\n\r\n\tIf there was ever any doubt that Republicans were in the pocket of the Tea Party, that doubt is gone with the failure of the Super Committee. Congress has missed yet another opportunity to create jobs because the number one priority for Republicans is protecting the rich at all costs.\r\n\r\n\tDemocrats consistently support a big, bold, and balanced plan to reduce the deficit and grow the economy. The best way to eliminate the deficit is to get America working again. Americans want leaders who work for all of us, not just the top one percent.\r\n\r\n\t###\r\n\r\n\tFollow Barbara Lee on Twitter @RepBarbaraLee\r\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-congressional-progressive-caucus-hold-hearing-on-job-creation", "Lee, Congressional Progressive Caucus Hold Hearing on Job Creation", "2011-11-16", "2011", "2011-11", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "11.16.11\n\t\t\t Lee, Congressional Progressive Caucus Hold Hearing on Job Creation  \n\t\t\t\r\n\tContact: Kristal DeKleer (202) 225-1882\r\n\r\n\tCongresswoman Lee urges extension of unemployment benefits for jobless workers\r\n\r\n\tWashington, D.C.  Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) joined members of the Congressional Progressive Caucus at an ad hoc hearing to discuss America's top priority: job creation. The hearing is in response to the secret meetings of the Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction (Supercommittee) over the last few months. The Supercommittee has been tasked with finding at least $1.2 trillion in deficit reductions over a ten-year period by November 23 of this year. \r\n\r\n\tI want to thank the witnesses for their insight, said Congresswoman Lee. It is critical that we publicly air the voices of Americans that support a plan that is balanced and helps creates jobs and grows the economy. For more than 300 days in the House majority, the GOP has refused to put forward a clear jobs plan.\r\n\r\n\tCongresswoman Lee raised the important issue of maintaining the current extension of unemployment benefits which are set to expire at the end of the year. She also urged the passage of her bill, H.R. 589, which would extend unemployment compensation for an additional fourteen weeks for the millions of Americans who have completely exhausted their benefits. Not only do unemployed workers need assistance for food and shelter month to month, but unemployed workers immediately spend the assistance received which stimulates the economy and contributes to job growth.\r\n\r\n\tMembers received testimony from Prof. Jeffrey Sachs, Dr. Julianne Malveaux, economist Dr. John Irons with the Economic Policy Institute, Robert Borosage, co-director of the Campaign for America's Future, and Dr. Rob Johnson of the Roosevelt Institute and Patriotic Millionaires. The experts discussed policy measures that will create jobs and invest in the future of working Americans and their families.\r\n\r\n\tI do not believe that another round of tax cuts for the wealthy will create the demand we need to restore growth and reignite the American Dream for millions of Americans, said Congresswoman Lee. A real solution would lift up the nearly 50 million Americans' struggling in poverty by protecting our social safety net, continuing jobless benefits, and investing in education, public infrastructure projects, and job training.\r\n\r\n\t###\r\n\r\n\tFollow Barbara Lee on Twitter @RepBarbaraLee\r\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-barbara-lee-hosts-jobs-event-in-oakland", "Congresswoman Barbara Lee Hosts Jobs Event in Oakland", "2011-11-10", "2011", "2011-11", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "11.10.11\n\t\t\t Congresswoman Barbara Lee Hosts Jobs Event in Oakland \n\t\t\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\tContact Ricci Graham (510) 305-2954\r\n\r\n\r\n\tOakland  Congresswoman Barbara Lee hosted the Good Jobs Now! Jobs Fair at the Oakland Coliseum on Thursday, November 10, 2011. More than 100 employers seeking to fill current job openings participated in the event, which also featured workshops on using the Internet to enhance job-seeking techniques and on-site resume review and critique. Job seekers had the opportunity to meet directly with employers to discuss the more than 500 positions attempted to be filled at the jobs fair, the second Congresswoman Lee has hosted this year. The Good Jobs Now! Jobs Fair represents a collaboration between Congresswoman Lee, Assemblyman Sandre' Swanson, Alameda County Supervisor Keith Carson, Oakland City Council President Larry Reid, the Oakland Private Industry Council, the Oakland Workforce Investment Board, the City of Oakland Enterprise Zone, the Alameda County Labor Council, and the Alameda County Building and Construction Trades Council, AFL-CIO. Congresswoman Lee offered the following statement to kick-off the event: I would like to thank the community groups and local employers who have made this event possible today. The jobs crisis is nothing short of a national emergency and that is why it is critical that Congress pass President Obama's American Jobs Act which would invest in worker training programs, provide tax incentives to employers, and put workers back on the job while rebuilding and modernizing America. The jobs crisis has left so many people out of work for so long that most of America's unemployed are no longer receiving unemployment benefits. Supporting unemployed Americans is critical and Congress must pass H.R. 589  my bill to provide an additional fourteen weeks of relief to Americans whose have exhausted all their benefits and are now in desperate need. There are those of us in Congress who still believe that we can indeed reignite the American Dream. We are fighting to build ladders of opportunity and we are committed to tearing down the barriers that prevent progress. So, while too many Americans are asking the Republican leadership, where are the jobs?'  I am happy to be here today with local leaders and businesses and I hope that we can provide a number of those jobs today at the Good Jobs Now! Jobs Fair.\r\n\r\n\t###\r\n\r\n\tFollow Barbara Lee on Twitter @RepBarbaraLee\r\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/2011/11/09/barbara-lee-honors-troops-veterans-on-veterans-day", "Barbara Lee Honors Troops, Veterans on Veterans Day", "2011-11-09", "2011", "2011-11", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "11.09.11\n\t\t\t Barbara Lee Honors Troops, Veterans on Veterans Day \n\t\t\t\r\n\tContact Kristal DeKleer (202) 225-1882\r\n\r\n\r\nOakland  Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-09) offered the following statement in support of America's troops and veterans in honor of the 92nd Veterans Day:\r\n\r\n\"In light of President Obama's recent decision to follow through on his commitment to execute a complete withdrawal of troops in Iraq, it is essential that we continue to work to provide quality housing, health care, and education for our veterans as they return home. Let us further dedicate ourselves to providing all of our veterans, military troops, and their families around the world who continue to proudly serve our country the necessary support and resources that they have earned and deserve. \r\n\r\nAs the daughter of a veteran, I believe we have a moral responsibility to keep our promise to the people who have served our nation. Veterans, service members, and their families deserve our full support and I will continue to fight to keep the promises made to our veterans who have served selflessly and answered our nation's call to duty in times of peace and war.\r\n\r\nCongresswoman Lee has joined many of her colleagues in supporting the American Jobs Act. This legislation takes another step in keeping our promises to our troops and veterans with the inclusion of the Returning Heroes Tax Credit which gives employers tax credits for hiring unemployed veterans. Additionally, Congresswoman Lee supports H.R. 287, the Homes for Heroes Act of 2011, which would expand the supply of supportive housing for very low-income veteran families and provide 20,000 additional rental vouchers for homeless veterans.\r\n\r\n###\r\n\r\nFollow Barbara Lee on Twitter @RepBarbaraLee\r\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-statement-on-occupy-oakland", "Lee Statement on Occupy Oakland", "2011-11-04", "2011", "2011-11", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "11.04.11\n\t\t\t Lee Statement on Occupy Oakland \n\t\t\t\r\n\tContact: Kristal DeKleer (202) 225-1882\r\n\r\n\tWashington, D.C.  Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) issued the following statement on Occupy Oakland and the Day of Action: \r\n\r\n\t\"I want to applaud the historic showing of the thousands of people who marched peacefully on Wednesday in Oakland for economic justice and for reigniting the American Dream. The destructive actions of a small minority of protestors are unacceptable. I continue to call for non-violence and support the free speech rights of the protestors, as well as the small businesses, local workers, and the 99 percent.\"\r\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-statement-on-october-jobs-report", "Lee Statement on October Jobs Report", "2011-11-04", "2011", "2011-11", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "11.04.11\n\t\t\t Lee Statement on October Jobs Report \n\t\t\t\r\n\tContact: Kristal DeKleer (202) 225-1882\r\n\r\n\tWashington, D.C.  Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) issued the following response to the figures released by the Department of Labor showing a slight decline in unemployment rates: \r\n\r\n\tThe U.S. gained just 80,000 new jobs in October and the national unemployment rate remains distressingly high at 9.0%. We must target investment and focus our efforts at rapidly reducing unemployment, especially among those hardest hit which continue to be communities of color  African Americans (15.1%), Hispanics (11.4%), and youth (24.1%).  \r\n\r\n\tFor 300 days in the majority, House Republicans have failed to enact any jobs measures or put forth any clear jobs agenda. Congress must enact President Obama's American Jobs Act and put people back to work. We must ensure that the work of the Supercommittee (the Joint Committee on Deficit Reduction) is focused on economic growth, job creation, and preservation of the social safety net.\r\n\r\n\tI reiterate my call to Speaker Boehner to allow an up or down vote on H.R. 589, a bill I introduced that would provide fourteen weeks of benefits for those who have exhausted their unemployment benefits and are now off the books and in desperate need.\r\n\r\n\tAmericans are waiting; Democrats have been prepared to act; and Republicans must join us in creating jobs and reigniting the American Dream for all. \r\n\r\n\t###\r\n\r\n\tFollow Barbara Lee on Twitter @RepBarbaraLee\r\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-stands-behind-women-affected-by-climate-change", "Barbara Lee Stands Behind Women Affected by Climate Change", "2011-11-03", "2011", "2011-11", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "11.03.11\n\t\t\t Barbara Lee Stands Behind Women Affected by Climate Change  \n\t\t\t\r\n\tContact: Kristal DeKleer (202) 225-1882\r\n\r\n\tWashington, DC  Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) today introduced a Congressional resolution to bring attention to the greater economic, agricultural, and health-related hardships faced by women arising from climate change. H.Con.Res. 84 recognizes the disparate impact of climate change on women and the efforts of women globally to address this issue. The direct and indirect effects of climate change continue to have a disproportionate impact on marginalized women, including refugee and displaced persons, sexual minorities, religious and ethnic minorities, adolescent girls, women and girls with disabilities and those who are HIV positive, said Congresswoman Lee. While women are bearing the brunt of climate change's effects, they are often underrepresented in the development of climate change adaptation policy. This is unacceptable. Due to climate change, women farmers, who are estimated to produce 60 to 80 percent of the food in most developing countries, face issues of scarcity and lack of accessibility to primary natural resources and arable land for food production. Also troubling, infectious disease epidemics, such as malaria, are expected to worsen and spread, due to variations in climate, putting women and children who do not have access to preventative and medical services at greater risk. Sadly, it is no secret that women and children are also more likely to die than men during natural disasters. Our goal is to empower women who are particularly vulnerable to climate change and to encourage a more gender-sensitive approach in climate change policy, said Lee. Women must be included in creating and implementing climate change policies and practices if we hope to help communities adapt to climate impacts and embark on a path towards clean and sustainable development.\r\n\r\n\t###\r\n\r\n\tFollow Barbara Lee on Twitter @RepBarbaraLee\r\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/2011/11/02/congresswoman-barbara-lee-and-senator-frank-r-lautenberg-introduce-bill-to-expand-comprehensive-sex-education", "Congresswoman Barbara Lee and Senator Frank R. Lautenberg Introduce Bill to Expand Comprehensive Sex Education", "2011-11-02", "2011", "2011-11", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "11.02.11\n\t\t\t Congresswoman Barbara Lee and Senator Frank R. Lautenberg Introduce Bill to Expand Comprehensive Sex Education \n\t\t\t\r\n\tContact: Kristal DeKleer (202) 225-1882\r\n\r\n\tWASHINGTON Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) and Senator Frank R. Lautenberg (D-NJ) today introduced the Real Education for Healthy Youth Act, legislation that would give America's youth the knowledge they need to make educated decisions about theirhealth. The bill would expand comprehensive sex educationprograms inschools, while ensuring that federal funds arespenton effective, age-appropriate, medically accurate programs.\r\n\r\n\tComprehensive sex education programs are successful at reducing behaviors that put young people at risk,said Congresswoman Lee. Research has shown programs that combine information about abstinence and contraception effectively delay the onset of sexual intercourse, reduce the number of sexual partners, and increase contraceptive use among teens. These programs also reduce unintended pregnancy and the transmission of STIs, including HIV.\r\n\r\n\tUnintended pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) continue to threaten the health and well-being of our nation's youth. The United States still has the highest rate of teen pregnancy in the industrialized world, and recent reports have shown that teen birth rates are on the rise. In 2009, there wereapproximately 19 million new cases of STIs, almost half of them occurring in young people between 15 to 24 years old.\r\n\r\n\tGrowing up isn't easy and our kids find themselves in tough situations every day,said Senator Lautenberg.They need all the information to make smart choices and abstinence-only' programsdon't work. It's time to bring sexeducation up-to-date to reflect the real life situations facing young Americans.\r\n\r\n\tThe Real Education for Healthy Youth Act would help schools implement and expand age-appropriatecomprehensive sex education programs that are medically accurate and evidence-based, train teachers and educators to effectively educate teenagers in order to reduce unintended pregnancy and the transmission ofSTIs,and expand sexeducation programs at colleges and universities. The bill would also prevent federal funds from being spent on ineffective, medically inaccurate sex education programs.\r\n\r\n\t###\r\n\r\n\tFollow Barbara Lee on Twitter @RepBarbaraLee \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-legislation-to-cut-poverty-in-half-in-ten-years", "Barbara Lee Introduces Legislation to Cut Poverty in Half in Ten Years", "2011-11-02", "2011", "2011-11", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "11.02.11\n\t\t\t Barbara Lee Introduces Legislation to Cut Poverty in Half in Ten Years \n\t\t\t\r\n\t\r\n\r\n\tContact Kristal DeKleer (202) 225-1882\r\n\r\n\tWashington, D.C.  Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) announced the introduction of H.R. 3300, a bill to help create pathways out of poverty and realize the goal of cutting poverty in half in a decade. In 2008, the House of Representatives unanimously passed H. Con. Res. 198, which called on Congress to commit to cutting poverty in half in a decade. The Half in Ten Act of 2011 provides the plan to help accomplish this goal.\r\n\r\n\tAmericans all across the country are struggling, said Congresswoman Barbara Lee. It is clear that our policies and programs addressing poverty have not kept pace with the growing needs of millions of Americans. It is time we make the commitment to confront poverty head-on. This bill will help tear down the barriers of poverty and work to reignite the American Dream by providing ladders of opportunity for all.\r\n\r\n\tThe U.S. Census Bureau released data showing that 2.6 million Americans fell into poverty over the last year and an estimated 46.2 million Americans faced poverty in 2010. Fifteen percent of Americans lived in poverty last year, including one in five of America's children. Communities of color continue to face disturbingly higher rates of poverty, with 36% of African American children and 31% of Latino children facing poverty.\r\n\r\n\tThe Half in Ten Act of 2011 will establish the Federal Interagency Working Group on Reducing Poverty. The Working Group will develop and implement a national plan to reduce poverty in half in ten years while working to eliminate extreme poverty, child poverty and the historic disparity in poverty rates in communities of color.\r\n\r\n\tCongresswoman Lee, founding Co-Chair of the Congressional Out of Poverty Caucus, concluded: We need to create jobs to give Americans economic security and grow our economy. Our economy will not recover quickly from the Great Recession with 46.2 million Americans living in poverty, but if we give those millions of Americans support and a pathway out of poverty, our economy will grow.\r\n\r\n\t###\r\n\r\n\tFollow Barbara Lee on Twitter @RepBarbaraLee  \r\n\t\r\n\r\n\tTo see the Half in Tens Campaign's report Restoring Shared Prosperity: Strategies to Cut Poverty and Expand Economic Growth, click here: http://halfinten.org/indicators/publications/2010report\r\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-stands-in-solidarity-with-occupy-oakland-day-of-action", "Barbara Lee Stands in Solidarity with Occupy Oakland Day of Action", "2011-11-01", "2011", "2011-11", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "11.01.11\n\t\t\t   Barbara Lee Stands in Solidarity with Occupy Oakland Day of Action \n\t\t\t\r\n\tContact: Kristal DeKleer (202) 225-1882\r\n\r\n\tWashington, D.C. Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) issued the following statement on Occupy Oakland Day of Action:\r\n\r\n\tOccupy Oakland's November 2nd day of action is aimed at bringing attention to the great inequalities that exist in the United States. I join in solidarity with Occupy Oakland to confront the greed of Wall Street and the major banks and demand that the 1% pay their fair share.\r\n\r\n\tAs the movement grows, we are likely to see more actions aimed at underscoring the inequalities faced by the 99% and we should support actions with these aims in mind. I continue to stand with the peaceful protesters in this struggle for economic justice and equality. \r\n\r\n\t###\r\n\r\n\tFollow Barbara Lee on Twitter @RepBarbaraLee\r\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-comments-on-occupy-oakland", "Barbara Lee Comments on Occupy Oakland", "2011-10-27", "2011", "2011-10", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "10.27.11\n\t\t\t Barbara Lee Comments on Occupy Oakland \n\t\t\t\r\n\tContact Kristal DeKleer  \r\n\t(202) 225-1882\r\n\r\n\tWashington, D.C. Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) issued the following statement on Occupy Oakland:\r\n\r\n\tI shared my outrage and grave concern about the police brutality in Oakland directly with the Mayor. My thoughts go out to the injured and especially Scott Olsen. I strongly support the occupy movement and continue to stand with the peaceful protesters in this struggle for economic justice and equality. \r\n\r\n\t###\r\n\r\n\tFollow Barbara Lee on Twitter @RepBarbaraLee\r\n\r\n\t  \r\n\t\r\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-joins-faith-leaders-in-taking-the-food-stamp-challenge-2011", "Barbara Lee Joins Faith Leaders in Taking the Food Stamp Challenge 2011", "2011-10-27", "2011", "2011-10", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "10.27.11\n\t\t\t Barbara Lee Joins Faith Leaders in Taking the Food Stamp Challenge 2011 \n\t\t\t\r\n\tContact: Kristal DeKleer (202) 225-1882 or (202) 225-4783\r\n\r\n\tWashington, D.C. Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) joined national faith leaders from the Fighting Poverty with Faith coalition, senior members of the Obama Administration, and many of her Democratic colleagues at a Washington, D.C. supermarket to announce the start of the Food Stamp Challenge 2011.\r\n\r\n\tThe Food Stamp Challenge is a nationwide event intended to preserve funding for vital nutrition benefits during a time of record poverty and unacceptably high unemployment. Fighting Poverty with Faith challenges everyone to live for one week on the food budget of someone surviving on Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits, or what is commonly called, food stamps.\r\n\r\n\tThe average benefit for an entire month is $133.79, which works out to $4.50 a day or $1.50 a meal. Participants are being asked to limit their entire food budget for the week of October 27 to November 3 to $31.50.\r\n\r\n\tI am again taking part in this challenge because I believe that it is unconscionable to make cuts to programs that feed America's poor and our nation's children during the height of an economic crisis, said Congresswoman Lee. We must fight against any efforts to balance the budget on the backs of the most vulnerable Americans. I hope that everyone will consider joining the Food Stamp Challenge and joining the effort to end poverty in America.\r\n\r\n\tAs co-chair of the Congressional Poverty Caucus, Congresswoman Lee plans to introduce legislation next month to cut poverty by half in ten years. The bill would create an interagency working group tasked with developing and enacting a national plan to better coordinate anti-poverty and job creation programs.\r\n\r\n\t###\r\n\r\n\tFollow Barbara Lee on Twitter @RepBarbaraLee\r\n\r\n\tDetails on how you can participate can be found at: http://fightingpovertywithfaith.com/\r\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/huge-victory-troops-coming-home-from-iraq", "Huge Victory! Troops Coming Home from Iraq!", "2011-10-21", "2011", "2011-10", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "10.21.11\n\t\t\t Huge Victory! Troops Coming Home from Iraq! \n\t\t\t\r\n\tContact: Kristal DeKleer 202-225-1882\r\n\r\n\tBarbara Lee Applauds News that Obama Administration Will Bring Troops in Iraq Home by Year's End\r\n\r\n\tWashington, D.C. Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) issued the following statement in response to the President Obama's announcement that the U.S. will honor the Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) with Iraq that called for all U.S. troops to leave Iraq by Dec. 31, 2011:\r\n\r\n\tThis is a huge victory for those of us who have been pushing for an end to the war in Iraq. I look forward to welcoming our brave men and women back home for the holidays. We will never forget the enormous sacrifices made by so many of our brave men and women and their families. We must honor our commitment to our veterans.\r\n\r\n\tThis move fulfills the call of a letter to the President that I spearheaded in July, along with 92 members of Congress, urging the Administration to maintain our nation's SOFA agreement with the government of Iraq that commits our nation to bringing all of our troops and military contractors home at the end of this calendar year. It also fulfills the objective of legislation I introduced, H.R. 2757, The Iraq Withdrawal Accountability Act of 2011, which would prohibit funding for any extension of the December 31, 2011 deadline.\r\n\r\n\tAgain, I am extremely pleased with the decision by President Obama to follow through on his commitment to execute a safe, responsible, and complete withdrawal of the troops in Iraq. This move will save tens of billions of dollars, reduce regional instability, and enhance our standing throughout the world.\r\n\r\n\t###\r\n\r\n\tFollow Barbara Lee on Twitter @RepBarbaraLee\r\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-news-that-obama-administration-will-bring-troops-in-iraq-home-by-years-end", "Barbara Lee Applauds News that Obama Administration Will Bring Troops in Iraq Home by Year's End", "2011-10-17", "2011", "2011-10", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "10.17.11\n\t\t\t Barbara Lee Applauds News that Obama Administration Will Bring Troops in Iraq Home by Year's End \n\t\t\t\r\n\tContact: Kristal DeKleer (202) 225-1882\r\n\r\n\tWashington, D.C. Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) issued the following statement in response to the Obama Administration's announcement that it will honor the SOFA agreement with Iraq that called for all U.S. combat troops to leave Iraq by Dec. 31, 2011:\r\n\r\n\tI am pleased that the Obama Administration has chosen to fully withdraw the U.S. military force from Iraq. In the face of pressure to extend the counterproductive presence of combat troops, we should follow the lead of the people of both Iraq and the United States, who overwhelmingly agree that it is time for the remaining U.S. armed forces to return home.\r\n\r\n\tThis move fulfills the call of a letter to the President that I spearheaded in July, along with 92 members of Congress , urging the Administration hold to our nation's Status of Forces Agreement with the government of Iraq that commits our nation to bringing all of our troops and military contractors home at the end of this calendar year. It also fulfills the objective of legislation I introduced, H.R. 2757, The Iraq Withdrawal Accountability Act of 2011, which limited military funds to solely supporting the swift and safe withdrawal of combat troops from Iraq.\r\n\r\n\tI applaud President Obama for following through on our commitment to execute a safe, responsible, and complete withdrawal of the 47,000 troops in Iraq. This move will save tens of billions of dollars, reduce regional instability, and enhance our standing throughout the world.\r\n\r\n\tAs the author of provisions signed into law prohibiting the establishment of permanent bases in Iraq, I will remain vigilant about any U.S. presence in Iraq.\r\n\r\n\t###\r\n\r\n\tFollow Barbara Lee on Twitter @RepBarbaraLee\r\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-barbara-lee-recognizes-national-latino-aids-awareness-day", "Congresswoman Barbara Lee Recognizes National Latino AIDS Awareness Day", "2011-10-14", "2011", "2011-10", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "10.14.11\n\t\t\t Congresswoman Barbara Lee Recognizes National Latino AIDS Awareness Day \n\t\t\t\r\n\r\n\tKristal DeKleer 202-225-1882\r\n\r\n\t\r\n\r\n\tWashington, D.C.- Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA), Co-Chair of the Congressional HIV/AIDS Caucus, released a statement in honor of National Latino AIDS Awareness Day on October 15th. Latinos represent 16% of the U.S. population but account for an estimated 18% of people living with HIV and 18% of new infections. In 2006, Latina women were almost four times as likely as white women to test positive for HIV and Latino men who have sex with men (MSM) comprised 19% of the HIV positive MSM population.\r\n\r\n\t\r\n\r\n\t\"As we mark National Latino AIDS Awareness day, I am reminded of the devastating impact that HIV/AIDS has had on communities of color in the U.S.\r\n\r\n\t\r\n\r\n\t\"Latinos progress to AIDS faster than any other racial or ethnic group with 42% being diagnosed with AIDS within 12 months after learning of their positive HIV status -- compared to 34% late diagnosis among non-Hispanic whites. In my own district, Latinos are among the most late diagnosed people living with HIV with up to 58% progressing to AIDS within 12 months of diagnosis. In light of this daunting statistic, this year's theme is 'Latinos Unite! Let's Stay Healthy! Get Tested for HIV!'\r\n\r\n\t\r\n\r\n\t\"If we ever hope to end this epidemic, we must prioritize testing, treatment, prevention, and education to decrease the number of new HIV cases among communities of color. I encourage all of my constituents to find a testing center near them at www.hivtest.org and know their status.\"\r\n\r\n\t\r\n\r\n\t***\r\n\r\n\tOctober 15th was established in 2003 as National Latino AIDS Awareness Day (NLAAD) in response to the devastating impact HIV/AIDS has on Hispanic/Latino communities across the country. It was established to draw attention to the critical role HIV testing and prevention education plays in stemming the spread of HIV/AIDS among Hispanics/Latinos. It is a day during Hispanic heritage month that organizations around the country use to promote and sponsor activities that respond to the state of HIV/AIDS among Hispanics/Latinos in their specific communities.\r\n\r\n\t###\r\n\r\n\tBarbara Lee Reconoce el Da Nacional Latino Para La Concientizacin del SIDA\r\n\r\n\tWashington, D.C.- Hoy, la Congresista Barbara Lee (Demcrata-CA), Co-Presidenta del Caucus Congresional contra el SIDA/VIH hizo la siguiente declaracin en honor del Da Nacional Latino Para La Concientizacin del SIDA,que tendr lugar maana, el 15 de octubre 2011. Los latinos representan el 16% de la poblacin estadounidense; sin embargo, representan aproximadamente el 18% de las personas que viven con VIH y el 18% de nuevas infecciones. En el 2006, era cuatro veces ms probable que una mujer latina obtuviera un resultado positivo en una prueba de VIH que una mujer blanca, y los hombres latinos que tienen sexo con hombres (HSH) representaron el 19% de la poblacin de HSH que dieron positivo.\r\n\r\n\t\"Al conmemorar el Da Nacional Latino por la Concientizacin del SIDA, reflexiono sobre los efectos devastadores que el VIH / SIDA ha tenido en las comunidades de color en los Estados Unidos.\r\n\r\n\t\"Los latinos tienen la tasa ms alta de progresin de VIH a SIDA de cualquier grupo racial o tnico. Un 42% de los latinos son diagnosticados con SIDA menos de un ao despus de enterarse de su estado positivo de VIH, comparado con 34% de los blancos que reciben un diagnstico tarde. En mi propio Distrito Congresional, los latinos se encuentran entre las personas con diagnstico tarde de VIH, con un porcentaje de 58% que progresan a SIDA menos de 12 meses despus de dar un resultado positivo de VIH. A luz de esta estadstica chocante, el tema de este ao es 'Latinos Unidos y Saludables! Hazte la prueba del VIH!'\r\n\r\n\t\"Si tenemos la esperanza de algn da ponerle fin a esta epidemia, debemos dar prioridad a las pruebas, el tratamiento, la prevencin y la educacin para finalmente disminuir la incidencia de casos nuevos de VIH entre las minoras raciales y tnicas. Animo a todos mis constituyentes a que encuentren un centro de pruebas cercana en www.hivtest.orgy que se enteren de su estado.\"\r\n\r\n\t***\r\n\r\n\tEl 15 de octubre se declar en el ao 2003 como el Da Nacional Latino Para La Concientizacin del SIDA como respuesta a los efectos devastadores del SIDA/VIH en la comunidad Latina/Hispana en los Estados Unidos. Se cre para llamar la atencin a la importancia de hacerse la prueba de VIH y a la educacin preventativa en la campaa para detener la propagacin del SIDA entre los hispanos. Es un da durante el Mes de la Herencia Hispana durante el cual las organizaciones en todo el pas promueven y patrocinan actividades que reaccionan al estado del SIDA/VIH entre los Hispanos en sus respectivas comunidades. \r\n\r\n\t##\r\n\r\n\tSgame en Twitter @RepBarbaraLee\r\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-bipartisan-leaders-urge-common-sense-defense-spending-reforms", "Lee, Bipartisan Leaders Urge Common Sense Defense Spending Reforms", "2011-10-14", "2011", "2011-10", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "10.14.11\n\t\t\t Lee, Bipartisan Leaders Urge Common Sense Defense Spending Reforms  \n\t\t\t\r\n\tContact: Kristal DeKleer \r\n\r\n\t(202) 225-1882\r\n\r\n\t\r\n\r\n\tHouse Members pen letter to Supercommittee asking for restraint on military spending\r\n\r\n\t\r\n\r\n\tWashington, D.C. Forty-one Members of Congress from both sides of the aisle joined Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) in a request to the Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction (Supercommittee) to seek out savings and work to end wasteful spending by considering cuts to the Department of Defense. Realizing that significant savings can be found without compromising national security, leaders urged for common sense defense spending reforms as Supercommittee Members form a plan to reduce the deficit in the federal budget.\r\n\r\n\tOne of the main drivers of our deficit is military spending and it must be on the table for the Supercommittee to consider as it seeks to reduce our deficit, said Congresswoman Barbara Lee. We now have an opportunity to bring defense spending in line with our legitimate security needs. Taking serious steps to resolve our fiscal imbalance must include the Pentagon's budget, which should be subject to the same scrutiny as the rest of the discretionary budget.\r\n\r\n\tThe Supercommittee has been tasked with finding at least $1.5 trillion in deficit reductions over a ten-year period by November 23 of this year, allowing for a unique opportunity to bring defense spending in line with legitimate national defense needs while getting the nation on a path to a balanced budget free of deficit.\r\n\r\n\tIn the ten years since the 9/11 attacks, spending on defense and security has increased 96% and totaled almost $8 trillion. The wars in Iraq and Afghanistan have cost $1.36 trillion, and taken the lives of over six thousand men and women while leaving over thirty thousand wounded. In the same time frame, the base budget for the Pentagon has mushroomed to $5.6 trillion. A recent report from the General Accountability Office detailed hundreds of billions of dollars in duplicative programs with little oversight. Significant savings could be realized by auditing the Pentagon and requiring that it produce financial documents like any private sector business.\r\n\r\n\tDefense spending should absolutely be considered in any plan to reduce to the federal deficit  and my colleagues from both sides of the aisle agree, said Congresswoman Lee. While we approach military spending differently, we all agree that it is time to take an honest look at efforts to reform the way that the Department of Defense spends its budget.\r\n\r\n\t###\r\n\r\n\tFollow Barbara Lee on Twitter @RepBarbaraLee\r\n\r\n\t____________________________\r\n\r\n\tOctober 13, 2011\r\n\r\n\tDear Members of the Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction:\r\n\r\n\tAs you begin your work, we respectfully suggest reexamining our defense and security spending priorities as pathways to reducing our deficit and debt. You have been tasked with finding at least $1.5 trillion in deficit reductions over a ten-year period by November 23 of this year. You have a unique opportunity to bring our defense spending in line with our legitimate national defense needs while getting our nation on the path to a balanced budget free of deficit. As former Secretary of Defense Robert Gates noted last year, paraphrasing President Dwight D. Eisenhower, The United States should spend as much as necessary on national defense, but not one penny more.\r\n\r\n\tIn the ten years since the 9/11 attacks, spending on defense and security has increased 96% and totaled almost $8 trillion. The wars in Iraq and Afghanistan have cost $1.36 trillion, and taken the lives of over six thousand men and women while leaving over thirty thousand wounded. In the same time frame, the base budget for the Pentagon has mushroomed to $5.6 trillion.\r\n\r\n\tAs the 9/11 attacks demonstrated, the kinds of threats we face today are very different than those of previous eras. We live in an age where a few determined individuals with minimal financing, good planning and training, and a willingness to die can inflict billions of dollars in damage and kill thousands in a matter of hours. None of the billions of dollars of Cold War-era weaponry in our arsenal on September 11, 2001 stopped Al-Qaeda.\r\n\r\n\tThe continued reliance on Cold War weaponry and conventional tactics two decades after the fall of the Berlin Wall and the collapse of the Soviet Union makes little strategic or fiscal sense. The June 2010 report of the Sustainable Defense Task Force detailed proposals to reduce our nuclear stockpile substantially, realizing savings of over $100 billion without compromising our national security.[1] The report proposed over $960 billion in defense department savings over the next decade.\r\n\r\n\tSignificant savings could also be realized by auditing the Pentagon and requiring that it produce financial documents like any private sector business. Waste, fraud and abuse are endemic at the Pentagon, with the recent report from the General Accountability Office detailing hundreds of billions of dollars in duplicative programs with little oversight.[2] The wars in Iraq and Afghanistan have been characterized by poor planning, no-bid contracts, and lack of oversight leading to massive cost overruns. In August, the Commission on Wartime Contracting released its final report finding that an estimated $30 and $60 billion has been wasted during the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. This level of mismanagement is simply unacceptable.[3]\r\n\r\n\tThere are multiple reforms proposed that would save hundreds of billions of dollars over the next decade. The Bowles-Simpson commission outlined $750 billion in suggested defense cuts in the next decade. Former Assistant Secretary of Defense Lawrence Korb has proposed $1 trillion in cuts to the Pentagon over the next 10-12 years. These reductions in defense spending would come out of $6.5 trillion in proposed spending between 2011 and 2020.\r\n\r\n\tWe are not urging reductions that in any way would cut resources and supplies necessary to protect American troops in the field. Similarly, while we are not opposed to an honest look at efforts at reforming the way that the Department of Defense provides health care and other services to personnel, we are opposed to cuts in services and increased fees for our veterans and military retirees.\r\n\r\n\tOur economic recovery is vital to our strategic interests. The Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Admiral Michael Mullen, has warned that ongoing debt accumulation is undermining our economic strength and threatening our national security. Taking serious steps to resolve our fiscal imbalance must include the Pentagon's budget, which should be subject to the same scrutiny as the rest of our discretionary budget as you look for savings. As Members on the Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction, we urge you to think openly and act boldly to reduce our deficit and get our nation back on the right track. Bringing our defense spending in line with our legitimate security needs must be considered along with other measures to regain our economic footing.\r\n\r\n\tSincerely,\r\n\r\n\t\r\n\r\n\t\r\n\r\n\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\tBarbara Lee\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\tEarl Blumenauer\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\tBruce Braley\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\tJohn Campbell\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\tLois Capps\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\tYvette D. Clarke\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\tLacy Clay\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\tJohn Conyers, Jr\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\tDonna Edwards\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\tKeith Ellison\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\tBob Filner\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\tBarney Frank\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\tJohn Garamendi\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\tRaul Grijalva\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\tRush Holt\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\tMike Honda\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\tJesse Jackson Jr.\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\tTim Johnson\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\tDennis Kucinich\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\tJohn Lewis\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\tCarolyn Maloney\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\tEdward Markey\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\tJim McDermott\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\tJames McGovern\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\tGwen Moore\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\tJerry Nadler\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\tEleanor Norton\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\tJohn Olver\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\tRon Paul\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\tDonald Payne\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\tChellie Pingree\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\tJared Polis\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\tCharles Rangel\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\tBobby Rush\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\tJan Schakowsky\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\tJos Serrano\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\tJackie Speier\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\tPete Stark\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\tEdolphus Towns\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\tPeter Welch\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\tLynn Woolsey\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\tJohn Yarmuth\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\r\n\r\n\t  \r\n\t  \r\n\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\t[1]See Debt, Deficits, and Defense: A Way Forward at http://www.comw.org/pda/fulltext/1006SDTFreport.pdf\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\t[2]See full March 1, 2011 GAO report Opportunities to Reduce Potential Duplication in Government Programs, Save Tax Dollars, and Enhance Revenue at: http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d11318sp.pdf\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\t[3]See full August 2011 Commission report Transforming Wartime Contracting: Controlling Costs, reducing risks at: http://www.wartimecontracting.gov/docs/CWC_FinalReport-lowres.pdf", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://lee.house.gov/news/press-releases/lee-calls-on-supercommittee-to-protect-social-safety-net", "Lee Calls on Supercommittee to Protect Social Safety Net", "2011-10-13", "2011", "2011-10", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "10.13.11\n\t\t\t Lee Calls on Supercommittee to Protect Social Safety Net   \n\t\t\t\r\n\tContact: Kristal DeKleer (202) 225-1882\r\n\r\n\tWashington, D.C.  Sixty-four Members of Congress joined Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) in a request to the Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction (Supercommittee) to protect the vital programs that comprise our social safety net. The Members of Congress penned a letter urging the Supercommittee to protect the programs that provide economic security and opportunity to millions of Americans, including but not limited to Medicaid, Medicare, and Social Security.\r\n\r\n\tIt is imperative that we protect vital safety net programs and programs that provide economic security and opportunity to millions of Americans, including those facing or living in poverty, said Congresswoman Barbara Lee. Key federal programs are instrumental in serving as the last line of defense after a job loss, injury, or disability. Programs like unemployment insurance, food stamps, and Medicaid assist people in obtaining or maintaining their access to basic human needs including food, shelter, and health care. They provide the rungs of the ladder for opportunity for struggling families.\r\n\r\n\tThe Supercommittee has been tasked with finding at least $1.5 trillion in deficit reductions over a ten-year period by November 23 of this year, putting the most vulnerable in our society at risk of losing their safety net. The Census Bureau released data on September 13, 2011, revealing that 15 percent of Americans  46.2 million people across this country  lived in poverty in 2010. This is the largest number of Americans living in poverty since the Census started collecting this data 52 years ago. For our nation's children under 18, 22 percent lived in poverty in 2010. That is 16.4 million children who do not know where their next meal is coming from, where they might be sleeping that night, and who are anxious overall about their well being and that of their parents.\r\n\r\n\tWe have a moral and an economic obligation to care for our nation's most vulnerable, those facing or living in poverty, said Congresswoman Lee. For the last 25 years, there is a reason that when we have come to deficit reduction agreements, we protect low-income programs. These programs both support and create consumers, which result in increased demand and job creation. In the end, this reduces our deficit by enabling people to participate in our economy.\r\n\r\n\t###\r\n\r\n\tFollow Barbara Lee on Twitter @RepBarbaraLee\r\n\r\n\tOctober 13, 2011\r\n\r\n\tDear Members of the Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction:\r\n\r\n\tWe are writing to request that you protect vital programs that comprise our social safety net, including but not limited to Medicaid, Medicare, and Social Security, as well as the programs that provide economic security and opportunity to millions of Americans.\r\n\r\n\tVital safety net services and programs support those people hit the hardest by the Great Recession. These services help people and families maintain housing or find shelter, keep food on the table, assist in access to health care, and support those looking for employment, including the long-term unemployed. Examples of federal programs that provide such services include programs which assist disabled veterans to find an accessible home, ensure seniors receive food to eat, help people access our health care system, connect people seeking jobs with employment, give shelter to homeless families, and ensure that children get meals in school.\r\n\r\n\tIt is imperative that we protect vital safety net programs and programs that provide economic security and opportunity to millions of Americans, including those facing or living in poverty. The Census Bureau released data on September 13, 2011, revealing that 15 percent of Americans  46.2 million people across this country  lived in poverty in 2010. This is the largest number of Americans living in poverty since the Census started collecting this data 52 years ago. For our nation's children under 18, 22 percent lived in poverty in 2010. That is 16.4 million children who do not know where their next meal is coming from, where they might be sleeping that night, and who are anxious overall about their well being and that of their parents.\r\n\r\n\tAccording to the recent Census data release on poverty, the poverty numbers would have been worse had it not been for key federal programs like unemployment insurance, food stamps, and Medicaid (Census Bureau slide 25 located at http://www.census.gov/newsroom/releases/pdf/2010_Report.pdf).\r\n\r\n\tFor the last 25 years when we have come to deficit reduction agreements, these agreements have protected low-income programs. Beyond that, we have a moral and an economic obligation to care for our nation's most vulnerable, those facing or living in poverty. We respectfully implore that as you work through ways that our nation can reduce the deficit that you sustain our nation's safety net programs that assist people in obtaining or maintaining their access to basic human needs including food, shelter, and health care, and that provide ladders to opportunity for struggling families. These programs both support and create consumers, which result in increased demand and job creation. In the end, this reduces our deficit by enabling people to participate in our economy.\r\n\r\n\tAgain, we respectfully implore that as you work through ways that our nation can reduce the deficit that you sustain the vital human needs programs found across the federal government and accomplish deficit-reduction in a way that does not exacerbate poverty or inequality. \r\n  \r\n\r\n\tSincerely,\r\n\r\n\tBarbara Lee\r\n\r\n\tJoe Baca\r\n\r\n\tRobert A. Brady\r\n\r\n\tCorrine Brown\r\n\r\n\tG.K. Butterfield\r\n\r\n\tAndr Carson\r\n\r\n\tDavid N. Cicilline\r\n\r\n\tDonna M. Christensen\r\n\r\n\tHansen Clarke\r\n\r\n\tYvette Clarke\r\n\r\n\tSteve Cohen\r\n\r\n\tJohn Conyers, Jr.  \r\n\tElijah E. Cummings  \r\n\tDanny K. Davis  \r\n\tRosa L. DeLauro\r\n\r\n\tTheodore E. Deutch\r\n\r\n\tMichael F. Doyle\r\n\r\n\tDonna F. Edwards\r\n\r\n\tKeith Ellison\r\n\r\n\tBob Filner  \r\n\tMarcia L. Fudge\r\n\r\n\tCharles A. Gonzalez\r\n\r\n\tAl Green\r\n\r\n\tRal M. Grijalva\r\n\r\n\tLuis V. Gutierrez\r\n\r\n\tJanice Hahn\r\n\r\n\tMaurice D. Hinchey\r\n\r\n\tMichael M. Honda\r\n\r\n\tJesse L. Jackson Jr.\r\n\r\n\tHenry C. Hank Johnson, Jr.\r\n\r\n\tDennis J. Kucinich\r\n\r\n\tSheila Jackson Lee\r\n\r\n\tJohn Lewis\r\n\r\n\tCarolyn B. Maloney\r\n\r\n\tDoris O. Matsui\r\n\r\n\tEdward J. Markey\r\n\r\n\tJim McDermott\r\n\r\n\tJames P. McGovern\r\n\r\n\tBrad Miller\r\n\r\n\tGwen Moore\r\n\r\n\tJerrold Nadler\r\n\r\n\tEleanor Holmes Norton\r\n\r\n\tJohn W. Olver\r\n\r\n\tDonald M. Payne\r\n\r\n\tCharles B. Rangel\r\n\r\n\tSilvestre Reyes\r\n\r\n\tLaura Richardson\r\n\r\n\tCedric L. Richmond\r\n\r\n\tSteven R. Rothman\r\n\r\n\tLucille Roybal-Allard\r\n\r\n\tBobby L. Rush\r\n\r\n\tGregorio Kilili Camacho Sablan\r\n\r\n\tLoretta Sanchez\r\n\r\n\tJan Schakowsky\r\n\r\n\tRobert C. \"Bobby\" Scott\r\n\r\n\tJos E. Serrano\r\n\r\n\tTerri A. Sewell\r\n\r\n\tFortney Pete Stark\r\n\r\n\tJohn F. Tierney\r\n\r\n\tPaul D. Tonko\r\n\r\n\tEdolphus Towns", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://lee.house.gov/news/press-releases/lee-congressional-leaders-urge-protection-of-womens-health-during-supercommittee-negotiations", "Lee, Congressional Leaders Urge Protection of Women's Health During Supercommittee Negotiations", "2011-10-13", "2011", "2011-10", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "10.13.11\n\t\t\t Lee, Congressional Leaders Urge Protection of Women's Health During Supercommittee Negotiations \n\t\t\t\r\n\tContact: Kristal DeKleer (202) 225-1882\r\n\r\n\tWashington, D.C. Sixty-nine Members of Congress joined Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) in a request to the Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction (Supercommittee) to protect women's health. The Members of Congress penned a letter to the Supercommittee stating the importance of protecting what many consider one of the important public health programs in our nation: Title X Family Planning. The Supercommittee has been tasked with finding at least $1.5 trillion in deficit reductions over a ten-year period by November 23 of this year, putting the most vulnerable segments of our country under the greatest risk of bearing the brunt of most of these cuts.\r\n\r\n\tSadly, the precedent has already been set, said Congresswoman Lee. Just two weeks ago, the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor-HHS released its draft FY 2012 funding bill which includes a total elimination of the Title X family planning program and marks the continuation of a slow march towards elimination of all preventative services for women. We are here to fight that march.\r\n\r\n\tTitle X services are proven-effective programs; they prevent nearly one million unintended pregnancies each year, almost half of which would otherwise end in abortion. For every public dollar invested in family planning, nearly $4 is saved in Medicaid-related costs. Study after study has shown that eliminating funding for the Title X family planning program will result in millions of women across the country losing access to basic primary and preventive health care, including lifesaving cancer screenings, birth control, annual exams, and STD testing and treatment.\r\n\r\n\tIn 2009 alone, Title X health centers provided 2.2 million Pap tests, over 2.3 million breast exams, 5.9 million STI tests, and nearly 1 million confidential HIV tests, said Lee. These preventative services save lives and at the end of the day, they save money spent by taxpayers on curative care. Any cost savings derived from phasing out or eliminating the Title X program would be outweighed by tragic and costly consequences in the lives of American women.\r\n\r\n\t###\r\n\r\n\tFollow Barbara Lee on Twitter @RepBarbaraLee\r\n\r\n\t\r\n\r\n\tOctober 13, 2011\r\n\r\n\tDear Members of the Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction:  \r\n\t  \r\n\tAs you proceed in fulfilling your charge to issue a formal recommendation on how to reduce the deficit by at least $1.2 trillion over the next ten years, we write to encourage you to protect the Title X program, a vital part of the public health safety net  providing family planning and other preventive health services to millions of poor and low-income Americans.  \r\n\t  \r\n\tTitle X of the Federal Public Health Service Act is the only federally funded, dedicated family planning program for the low-income and uninsured. For the over 5 million patients served at 4,500 health centers across the country, Title X provides critical preventive health services such as cancer screenings and confidential sexually transmitted infections (STI) testing and treatment. In 2009, Title X health centers provided 2.2 million Pap tests, over 2.3 million breast exams, 5.9 million STI tests, and nearly 1 million confidential HIV tests. In addition, the contraceptive services provided at Title X clinics allow women and men to plan for their futures, helping to prevent nearly one million unintended pregnancies each year.\r\n\r\n\tThese centers, like many in the safety net, are under extreme pressure. Due to the struggling economy, Title X health centers saw an increase of over 130,000 patients in 2009, the largest increase in 10 years. Health centers are seeing a growing number of patients who cannot afford their care, and a growing number of patients report struggling with the cost of prescription birth control.\r\n\r\n\tIn light of your mission, we highlight the fact that Title X is a cost-effective program. Every dollar invested in Title X saves nearly four dollars in Medicaid-related costs. In just one year, Title X health centers saved the state and federal governments $3.4 billion. This equates to over $30 billion in savings over a ten year period. It is fiscally responsible to support and strengthen this preventive health program. For 40 years, Title X has proven itself one of the nation's public health success stories, but Title X-funded health centers cannot continue to meet the health care needs of our communities without adequate funding. We urge you to support access to care for millions of underserved Americans and recognize the longtime success of Title X by protecting this effective program. \r\n\r\n\tSincerely,\r\n\r\n\tBarbara Lee\r\n\r\n\tTammy Baldwin\r\n\r\n\tShelley Berkley\r\n\r\n\tHoward Berman\r\n\r\n\tEarl Blumenauer\r\n\r\n\tLeonard Boswell\r\n\r\n\tRobert Brady\r\n\r\n\tBruce Braley\r\n\r\n\tCorrine Brown\r\n\r\n\tLois Capps\r\n\r\n\tAndre Carson\r\n\r\n\tDonna Christensen\r\n\r\n\tJudy Chu\r\n\r\n\tYvette Clarke\r\n\r\n\tLacy Clay\r\n\r\n\tEmanuel Cleaver\r\n\r\n\tSteve Cohen\r\n\r\n\tJohn Conyers\r\n\r\n\tJoe Crowley\r\n\r\n\tSusan Davis\r\n\r\n\tDiana DeGette\r\n\r\n\tRosa DeLauro\r\n\r\n\tLloyd Doggett\r\n\r\n\tDonna Edwards\r\n\r\n\tKeith Ellison\r\n\r\n\tChaka Fattah\r\n\r\n\tBob Filner\r\n\r\n\tBarney Frank\r\n\r\n\tCharles Gonzalez\r\n\r\n\tRaul Grijalva\r\n\r\n\tLuis Gutierrez\r\n\r\n\tJanice Hahn\r\n\r\n\tAlcee Hastings\r\n\r\n\tBrian Higgins\r\n\r\n\tMaurice Hinchey\r\n\r\n\tRush Holt\r\n\r\n\tMike Honda\r\n\r\n\tSteve Israel\r\n\r\n\tJesse Jackson, Jr.\r\n\r\n\tSheila Jackson-Lee\r\n\r\n\tJohn Lewis\r\n\r\n\tDave Loebsack\r\n\r\n\tNita Lowey\r\n\r\n\tCarolyn Maloney\r\n\r\n\tDoris Matsui\r\n\r\n\tJim McDermott\r\n\r\n\tJerry McNerney\r\n\r\n\tGwen Moore\r\n\r\n\tJerrold Nadler\r\n\r\n\tEleanor Norton\r\n\r\n\tDonald Payne\r\n\r\n\tChellie Pinigree\r\n\r\n\tMichael Quigley\r\n\r\n\tCharles Rangel\r\n\r\n\tSilvestre Reyes\r\n\r\n\tLaura Richardson\r\n\r\n\tLucille Roybal-Allard\r\n\r\n\tLoretta Sanchez\r\n\r\n\tJan Schakowsky\r\n\r\n\tLouise Slaughter\r\n\r\n\tJackie Speier\r\n\r\n\tPete Stark\r\n\r\n\tMike Thompson\r\n\r\n\tPaul Tonko\r\n\r\n\tEd Towns\r\n\r\n\tNiki Tsongas\r\n\r\n\tPeter Welch\r\n\r\n\tFrederica Wilson\r\n\r\n\tLynn Woolsey\r\n\r\n\tJohn Yarmuth\r\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-california-democratic-congressional-delegation-call-on-president-obama-to-act-on-housing", "Barbara Lee, California Democratic Congressional Delegation Call on President Obama to Act on Housing", "2011-10-12", "2011", "2011-10", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "10.12.11\n\t\t\t Barbara Lee, California Democratic Congressional Delegation Call on President Obama to Act on Housing  \n\t\t\t\r\n\tContact Kristal DeKleer (202) 225-1882\r\n\r\n\tWashington, D.C. Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) and Members of the California Democratic Congressional Delegation sent a letter to President Obama urging him to act immediately to address our country's troubled housing market. Specifically, the letter calls on President Obama to:\r\n\r\n\t Urge the Federal Housing Finance Agency to establish a plan to refinance all mortgages owned or guaranteed by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.\r\n\r\n\t Push for a major principal reduction plan for underwater homeowners, such as modifications in coordination with Chapter 13 bankruptcy filings.\r\n\r\n\t Institute a Homeowner's Bill Of Rights that would apply to HAMP, FHFA, HUD, VA and private servicer modification programs and include the following:\r\n\r\n\to Make the process homeowner-friendly: Ensure a single point of contact; require servicers to review documents within a timely fashion and disclose information; and ban advanced fees.\r\n\r\n\to Eliminate needless obstacles to effective modifications: Allow for flexibility in the debt to income ratio; end the requirement that homeowners be delinquent in order to be eligible for a loan modification; end dual tracking; and require that servicers not report adverse credit information while trial or permanent modification is underway;\r\n\r\n\to Ensure accountability and establish an appeals process: Create an Office of Consumer Advocate; conduct random audits of modifications; and establish an independent appeals process for homeowners who believe their modification has been improperly rejected or handled in violation of program rules\r\n\r\n\t  \r\n\tOakland continues to have one of the highest metro foreclosure rates in the country, said Congresswoman Lee. Oakland homeowners are estimated to have lost $12.3 billion in home values as a direct result of the foreclosure crisis. We must make a real effort at making millions of permanent modifications and refinancing as many homes as quickly as we can. Too many are on the brink of default and foreclosure and refinancing at today's historically low rates would save hundreds of thousands, if not millions of homes. Finding a way to quickly refinance millions of mortgages would stabilize housing markets and go a long way to kick starting our economy and vital job growth. I hope the Administration hears the cries of the people and takes immediate action.\r\n\r\n\t###\r\n\r\n\tFollow Barbara Lee on Twitter @RepBarbaraLee\r\n\r\n\t\r\n  \r\n\r\n\tOctober 11, 2011\r\n\r\n\tThe President  \r\n\tThe White House  \r\n\tWashington, DC 20500\r\n\r\n\tDear President Obama:\r\n\r\n\tAs Members of Congress from California, we are writing to express our continuing concerns about the ongoing housing market decline and the manner in which the financial institutions are handling delinquent mortgages, mortgage modifications, and foreclosures. We believe that these institutions are failing to act in good faith and that there are immediate steps your Administration should be taking to address the devastating problems facing homeowners.\r\n\r\n\tOn October 4, 2010, we wrote to your Administration requesting help for struggling homeowners who were at the mercy of mortgage servicers. Our letter included dozens of cases from throughout California that highlighted systemic problems in the way financial institutions handle mortgages and the foreclosure process. Since then, we have held meetings with the Secretary of Treasury, Secretary of Housing and Urban Development and others outlining the enormous obstacles facing our constituents who are trying to save their homes. Additionally, in March 2011, a group of Members requested a meeting with the Vice President to discuss ways the Administration can be helpful. We continue to hear from our constituents that servicers are uncooperative, misleading and even deliberately obstructive and we have not seen successful efforts from your Administration in response.\r\n\r\n\tIn September 2011, RealtyTrac released data that showed that one in every 226 housing units in California had a foreclosure filing during the month of August alone  more than twice the national average. The data also showed that California had a staggering 55% increase in foreclosure notices in August, the second highest in the nation. Numerous reports indicate that our housing troubles are worsening. Each foreclosure represents a missed opportunity for a family to stay in itshome. We cannot afford to allow this to continue.\r\n\r\n\tWe therefore respectfully urge you to take the following actions:\r\n\r\n\t Urge the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) to use its conservatorship of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to allow all mortgages currently owned or guaranteed by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac that meet basic criteria the opportunity to refinance at historically low market rate. This would allow homeowners to reduce their monthly mortgage payment by hundreds of dollarsreducing the number of defaults and preventing foreclosure.\r\n\r\n\t Secure a far greater number of meaningful principal reductions for underwater homeowners. One promising possibility would be a temporary reduction in the interest rates of certain homeowners who file for Chapter 13 bankruptcy, so that the entirety of their monthly payments would go to paying down their principal balances for five years. Coordination with the bankruptcy process would make these reductions more likely to succeed than other types of loan modifications, while also limiting the program to those who truly need it and avoiding the administrative failures that have plagued many other initiatives. Such a plan could be implemented for mortgages held by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, as we believe that such a plan would be entirely consistent with FHFA's obligation to minimize taxpayer losses in the Enterprises. This plan could also be implemented as part of the nationwide settlement currently being negotiated by a group of state attorneys general. \r\n\r\n\t Institute a Homeowner's Bill Of Rights that would apply to the Department of Housing and Urban Development, Department of Veterans Affairs, Home Affordable Mortgage Program, Federal Housing Finance Agency, and private servicer modification programs and include the following:\r\n\r\n\to Make the process homeowner-friendly:Establish a single point of contact; require servicers to review documents within a timely fashion and disclose information about the process; and ban advanced fees.\r\n\r\n\to Eliminate needless obstacles to effective modifications:Allow for flexibility in the debt to income ratio; end the requirement that homeowners be delinquent in order to be eligible for a loan modification; cease dual tracking; and prohibit servicers from reporting adverse credit information while trial or permanent modification is underway.\r\n\r\n\to Ensure accountability and establish an appeals process:Create an Office of Consumer Advocate; conduct random audits of modifications; and establish an independent appeals process for homeowners who believe their modifications have been improperly rejected or handled in violation of program rules.\r\n\r\n\tThese are actions that can be taken immediately by your Administration to help address the overwhelming problems facing our constituents. We understand that these are not the only actions that must be taken, and we will continue to work in Congress on behalf of struggling homeowners to encourage recovery in the housing market and to prevent similar problems in the future.\r\n\r\n\tOur current economic crisis began in the housing market. Until the housing market is stabilized, our economy will not be able to fully recover. We hope you will act in the best interest of the American people who are facing extreme hardships to keep homeowners in their homes and stabilize the economy.\r\n\r\n\t\r\n\r\n\tJoe Baca\r\n\r\n\tKaren Bass\r\n\r\n\tXavier Becerra\r\n\r\n\tHoward Berman\r\n\r\n\tLois Capps\r\n\r\n\tDennis Cardoza\r\n\r\n\tJudy Chu\r\n\r\n\tJim Costa\r\n\r\n\tSusan Davis\r\n\r\n\tAnna Eshoo\r\n\r\n\tSam Farr\r\n\r\n\tBob Filner\r\n\r\n\tJohn Garamendi\r\n\r\n\tJanice Hahn\r\n\r\n\tMike Honda\r\n\r\n\tBarbara Lee\r\n\r\n\tZoe Lofgren\r\n\r\n\tDoris Matsui\r\n\r\n\tJerry McNerney\r\n\r\n\tGeorge Miller\r\n\r\n\tGrace Napolitano\r\n\r\n\tLaura Richardson\r\n\r\n\tLucille Roybal-Allard\r\n\r\n\tLinda Sanchez\r\n\r\n\tLoretta Sanchez\r\n\r\n\tAdam Schiff\r\n\r\n\tBrad Sherman\r\n\r\n\tJackie Speier\r\n\r\n\tPete Stark\r\n\r\n\tMike Thompson\r\n\r\n\tHenry Waxman\r\n\r\n\tLynn Woolsey\r\n  \r\n\r\n\tThe California Democratic Congressional Delegation consists of 34 Democratic members of the U.S. House of Representatives from California. This group outnumbers all other state House delegations - Republicans and Democrats combined.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://lee.house.gov/news/press-releases/congresswoman-barbara-lee-congratulates-2011-nobel-peace-laureates", "Congresswoman Barbara Lee Congratulates 2011 Nobel Peace Laureates", "2011-10-10", "2011", "2011-10", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "10.10.11\n\t\t\t Congresswoman Barbara Lee Congratulates 2011 Nobel Peace Laureates \n\t\t\t\r\n\tContact: Kristal DeKleer (202) 225-1882\r\n\r\n\tToday we celebrate three outstanding non-violent leaders from Africa and Middle East.\r\n\r\n\tWashington, D.C. Congresswoman Barbara Lee responded to the announcement that three women were together awarded the 2011 Nobel Peace Prize. Two Liberians, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Africa's first female president, and Leymah Roberta Gbowee, a non-violent peace activist, were recognized for their role in bringing an end to civil warfare by leading an organized peace movement. The third recipient is Tawakkul Karman of Yemen.\r\n\r\n\tI extend my wholehearted congratulations to President Sirleaf, Leymah Gbowee, and Tawakkul Karman for the Nobel Prize Committee's recognition of their outstanding role in bringing about non-violent change in their home countries,\" said Lee.\r\n\r\n\tLiberia, a country with strong historical ties to the United States, has benefited greatly from the leadership of President Sirleaf and Ms. Gbowee. I congratulate them both for playing such a critical role in transforming their country from a land of strife to a model for progress in democracy and development.\r\n\r\n\tCongresswoman Lee met with President Sirleaf last year and was glad to see her recognized with humanity's most prestigious award. I have been pleased to see her leadership in land ownership reform, education, poverty reduction, and cracking down on corruption, and look forward to her continued work for peace in her nation and beyond.\r\n\r\n\t###\r\n\r\n\tFollow Barbara Lee on Twitter @RepBarbaraLee\r\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-statement-on-passing-of-oakland-raiders-owner-al-davis", "Lee Statement on Passing of Oakland Raiders Owner Al Davis", "2011-10-08", "2011", "2011-10", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "10.08.11\n\t\t\t Lee Statement on Passing of Oakland Raiders Owner Al Davis \n\t\t\t\r\n\tContact: Kristal DeKleer (202) 225-1882\r\n\r\n\tWashington, D.C. - Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) issued the following statement on the loss of Oakland Raiders owner Al Davis: \r\n\r\n\t\"Today, sports fans in the Bay Area and throughout the nation mourn the loss of an iconic American sports figure, Oakland Raiders owner Al Davis. Mr. Davis was a driving and visionary force behind the merger of the National and American Football Leagues. He will be remembered as a fierce competitor and innovator on the field who led his team to three Superbowl championships and numerous playoff appearances. Mr. Davis will also be remembered for his unwavering love of his players and uncompromising commitment to Raider Nation. My thoughts are with the family and fans of Al Davis, along with entire Oakland Raiders organization.\"\r\n\r\n\t###\r\n\r\n\tFollow Barbara Lee on Twitter @RepBarbaraLee\r\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-barbara-lee-end-the-war-now", "Congresswoman Barbara Lee: End the War Now", "2011-10-07", "2011", "2011-10", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "10.07.11\n\t\t\t Congresswoman Barbara Lee: End the War Now \n\t\t\t\r\n\tContact Kristal DeKleer (202) 225-1882\r\n\r\n\tCPC Peace & Security Task Force holds hearing on 10th anniversary of U.S. invasion of Afghanistan\r\n\r\n\tWashington, D.C. On the eve of the 10th anniversary of the U.S. invasion of Afghanistan, Congresswoman Barbara Lee hosted a special hearing entitled Ten Years On: Why the War in Afghanistan Must End Now. Academics, experts, and advocates joined Members of Congress to present opposition to the ongoing war in Afghanistan at a panel event.\r\n\r\n\tAfter ten years and $460 billion invested in an unstable country with untrustworthy leadership, it is past time to end the war in Afghanistan, said Congresswoman Lee. Ten years is ten years too long for this wasteful war; it is time to bring our troops and our tax dollars home. That's why I introduced HR 780 to safely and swiftly redeploy all combat troops and military contractors from Afghanistan.\r\n\r\n\tPanelists discussed the cost of ten years of endless warfare since the overly broad Authorization of Use of Military Force was approved in 2001. Thousands of soldiers' lives have been lost, civilian Afghani casualties continue to destabilize efforts for peace, and the United States has committed to borrowing trillions of precious dollars to an open-ended military commitment. Civil liberties have been compromised, there have been illegal wiretaps, unlawful detentions, the use of torture  all justified in the name of fighting the war on terrorism.\r\n\r\n\tBoston University Professor of Political Science and United States Foreign Policy Neta Crawford provided the following testimony at the hearing: The costs in blood and treasure in Afghanistan for the U.S., its allies, and for Afghans have been underestimated and undercounted. A comprehensive accounting shows that the intensity of the war is increasing, not decreasing.\r\n\r\n\tPanelists also discussed peaceful alternatives to military action in Afghanistan. Ria Dellawar, an expert on Afghanistan testified that with the surge, the violence has escalated and any opportunity for dialogue has closed. Despite the failure of counter-insurgency to stop the Taliban and rising civilian and troop casualties, the U.S. continues to pursue its military-first strategy.\r\n\r\n\tAfghan civil society leaders want a shift in military strategy, said Lisa Schirch, Director of 3P Human Security: Partners for Peacebuilding Policy. Excluding key stakeholders, especially diverse sectors of civil society, will create a recipe for failure.\r\n\r\n\t###\r\n\r\n\tFollow Barbara Lee on Twitter @RepBarbaraLee\r\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-barbara-lee-statement-on-september-jobs-report", "Congresswoman Barbara Lee Statement on September Jobs Report", "2011-10-07", "2011", "2011-10", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "10.07.11\n\t\t\t Congresswoman Barbara Lee Statement on September Jobs Report \n\t\t\t\r\n\tContact: Kristal DeKleer (202) 225-1882\r\n\r\n\tWashington, D.C. Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) issued the following response to the figures released by the Department of Labor showing stagnant unemployment rates:\r\n\r\n\tFor 276 days in the majority, House Republicans have failed to enact any jobs measures or put forth any clear jobs agenda. The economy will only continue to worsen if we do not act quickly to address it. The jobs crisis is a national emergency and Americans cannot afford to wait any longer. The national unemployment rate remains distressingly high at 9.1%. While African American unemployment decreased slightly from 16.7% in August, we must be vigilant in targeting the unemployment of America's African Americans (16%), Hispanics (11.3%), and youth (24.6%) that have been hit hardest by the Great Recession.  Jobs are the pathway out of poverty. We must invest in our people. Congress must enact President Obama's American Jobs Act and put people back to work. We must ensure that the work of the Supercommittee (the Joint Committee on Deficit Reduction) is focused on economic growth, job creation, preservation of the social safety net, identification of revenue raisers that are fair, and cuts to a bloated Pentagon budget.\r\n\r\n\tI reiterate my call to Speaker Boehner to allow an up or down vote on H.R. 589, a bill I introduced that would provide fourteen weeks of benefits for those who have exhausted their unemployment benefits and are now off the books and in desperate need.\r\n\r\n\tAmericans are waiting; Democrats have been prepared to act; and Republicans must join us to create jobs now.\r\n\r\n\t###\r\n\r\n\tFollow Barbara Lee on Twitter @RepBarbaraLee\r\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-statement-on-the-passing-of-steve-jobs", "Barbara Lee Statement on the Passing of Steve Jobs", "2011-10-06", "2011", "2011-10", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "10.06.11\n\t\t\t Barbara Lee Statement on the Passing of Steve Jobs \n\t\t\t\r\n\tContact Kristal DeKleer (202) 225-1882\r\n\r\n\tWashington, D.C. - Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) issued the following statement on the passing of Apple co-founder Steve Jobs: \r\n\r\n\tMy thoughts are with the family of Steve Jobs. He changed the way we live, receive information, and connect with one another. Regardless of his success in business, he continued to share his brilliance with others, invest in those around him, and was dedicated to making this world a better place. On behalf of many of my constituents who work at the Pixar studios in my district, Steve Jobs and his visionary and creative leadership will be greatly missed.\r\n\r\n\t###\r\n\r\n\tFollow Barbara Lee on Twitter@RepBarbaraLee\r\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-barbara-lee-fights-to-protect-the-environment", "Congresswoman Barbara Lee Fights to Protect the Environment", "2011-10-05", "2011", "2011-10", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "10.05.11\n\t\t\t Congresswoman Barbara Lee Fights to Protect the Environment \n\t\t\t\r\n\tContact Kristal DeKleer (202) 225-1882\r\n\r\n\tWashington D.C. Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-09) delivered an address on the Floor of the House of Representatives to urge Members to put public health and a clean environment ahead of corporate interests. Following is an excerpt: \r\n\r\n\tI rise in strong opposition to H.R. 2681, and the threat this bills would pose to the Clean Air Act. \r\n\r\n\t\"Instead of working with Democrats on policies to create jobs, the House Republicans brings H.R. 2681 to the floor as it continues its special-interest assault on Clean Air Act public health standards.\r\n\r\n\tIf passed, this bill will endanger thousands of lives by blocking the Environmental Protection Agency's ability to protect our communities from toxic air pollution as required under that Act.\r\n\r\n\tNot only would this bill undercut the Clean Air Act's ability to crack down on pollution in our communities and endanger public health, they would expose some of our nation's most vulnerable populations, including children and communities of color, to dangerous toxic metals and mercury poisoning.\r\n\r\n\tI have long said there is no denying the interconnection between our stewardship of the environment and the state of the economy, public health, and our communities.\r\n\r\n\tAs things stand today, our most underserved and vulnerable populations are already bearing the greatest brunt of pollution, environmental degradation, and climate change.And, rather than take aim at these disparities, these Republican bills stand to aggravate them, by impeding the EPA from doing its job.\r\n\r\n\tView the entire address: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HdP1gRxhnlE\r\n\r\n\t###\r\n\r\n\tFollow Barbara Lee on Twitter@RepBarbaraLee\r\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/us-department-of-justice-cops-office-awards-over-243-million-to-hire-new-officers", "US Department of Justice COPS Office Awards Over $243 Million to Hire New Officers", "2011-09-28", "2011", "2011-09", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "09.28.11\n\t\t\t US Department of Justice COPS Office Awards Over $243 Million to Hire New Officers \n\t\t\tContact: Ricci Graham, 510-763-0370\r\nGrants to Oakland and 237 additional agencies aimed at creating and saving law enforcement jobs\r\nOakland, CA  Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-09) joined the U.S. Department of Justice Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) and officials from the cities of Oakland, Stockton, Salinas, and Tulare to announce nearly $72 million in grant awards to cities in California through the 2011 COPS Hiring Program. In total, more than $243 million in grants will be awarded nationwide to 238 law enforcement agencies and municipalities to hire new officers and deputies.\r\nThe COPS Hiring Program is a competitive grant program that provides funding directly to state, local and tribal law enforcement agencies to hire police officers dedicated to addressing specific crime and disorder challenges confronting communities. The grants provide 100 percent funding for the entry-level salaries and benefits of newly-hired, or rehired, full-time officer positions over a three-year period.\r\nFor the 2011 COPS Hiring Program, 2,712 applications were received requesting more than $2 billion and 8,999 positions. Funding decisions were based on an agency's commitment to community policing, crime rates, changes in law enforcement budgets, and other local fiscal data (poverty, unemployment, foreclosure rates, etc.).\r\n\"Cities across the country are dealing with numerous challenges and we are pleased to be able to assist their public safety efforts,\" said COPS Director Bernard Melekian. \"Creating and maintaining jobs is a key part of this program. This funding helps support local departments in their efforts to increase their ranks, enhance their relationship with the community and directly address their public safety concerns.\"\r\nThe 2011 COPS Hiring Program awards will create or help preserve 1,021 sworn law enforcement positions. The jobs created, preserved, or refilled with COPS Hiring Program funds will advance community policing at the local level and contribute greatly to the quality of life of the citizens in each community.\r\nSaid Congresswoman Barbara Lee, I am pleased to have worked with Director Melekian and his team in bringing these vital federal public safety funds to my district. The COPS program not only helps local law enforcement agencies hire more officers, but also helps neighborhoods and cities develop community policing using the latest research and best practices. I know that through the direct cooperation of local law enforcement and the Department of Justice, we will continue to develop responsible and robust public safety strategies that are so essential here in Oakland and communities throughout California.\r\nThe COPS Office is a federal agency responsible for advancing community policing nationwide. Since 1995, COPS has awarded over $13 billion to advance community policing, including grants awarded to more than 13,000 state, local, and tribal law enforcement agencies to fund the hiring and redeployment of approximately 120,000 officers and to provide a variety of knowledge resource products including publications, training, technical assistance, conferences, and webcasts.\r\n###\r\nFollow Barbara Lee on Twitter @RepBarbaraLee\r\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-statement-on-national-gay-mens-hiv/aids-awareness-day", "Barbara Lee Statement on National Gay Men's HIV/AIDS Awareness Day", "2011-09-27", "2011", "2011-09", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "09.27.11\n\t\t\t Barbara Lee Statement on National Gay Men's HIV/AIDS Awareness Day \n\t\t\t\r\n\tContact Kristal DeKleer (202) 225-1882\r\n\r\n\tWashington, D.C. - Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) issued the following statement in observance of National Gay Men's HIV/AIDS Awareness Day:\r\n\r\n\t\"September 27th, 2011 marks the 4th Annual National Gay Men's HIV/AIDS Awareness Day. Over the past 30 years, HIV/AIDS has had astronomical impact on this population, nationally and worldwide. Additionally, in the United States, gay and bisexual men, who represent 2 to 4% of the population, comprise 60% of all new infections and for young men of color this statistic is even more daunting. HIV infection rates are far worse for young African American men who have sex with men (MSM): the number tragically doubled between 2006 and 2009. Globally, HIV prevalence rates among MSM have reached alarming levels around the world, skyrocketing past 20% in countries like Jamaica, Mexico, Thailand and Zambia.\r\n\r\n\t\"Though we have made tremendous strides in the fight against HIV/AIDS, there is still critical work to be done to prevent, treat, and bring awareness while working to reduce stigma and fight homophobia in our communities and around the world. Despite a clear need for services, HIV prevention remains out of reach for the vast majority of MSM worldwide. We must prioritize awareness, treatment, prevention, and education if we want to see a decrease in the rise of new HIV cases among our most vulnerable populations and to, once and for all, stamp this disease from the face of the earth.\"\r\n\r\n\t###\r\n\r\n\tCongresswoman Lee has been a leader in the fight against the global HIV/AIDS pandemic. She co-authored legislation signed into law creating the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB and Malaria in 2000, the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) in 2003, the PEPFAR Reauthorization Act in 2008, and in 2005 legislation addressing the needs of orphans and vulnerable children affected by HIV/AIDS. She has also been a leader in the effort to establish a NationalAIDS Strategy, and is a member ofthe Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health, Human Services & Educationwith jurisdiction over all domesticHIV/AIDS funding. She is the only United States representative on United Nations Development Programme's Global Commission on HIV and the Law and was the original sponsor of legislation that lead to the repeal of the Immigration and Travel ban that barred the entry of HIV positive individuals. The repeal allowed the International AIDS conference - scheduled for July 2012 in Washington DC -to be held in the U.S. after 20 years.\r\n\r\n\tFollow Barbara Lee on Twitter @RepBarbaraLee\r\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-barbara-lee-makes-statement-on-nobel-laureate-wangari-maathais-passing", "Congresswoman Barbara Lee Makes Statement on Nobel Laureate Wangari Maathai's Passing", "2011-09-27", "2011", "2011-09", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "09.27.11\n\t\t\t Congresswoman Barbara Lee Makes Statement on Nobel Laureate Wangari Maathai's Passing \n\t\t\t\r\n\tContact: Kristal DeKleer (202) 225-1882\r\n\r\n\tWashington, D.C. Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) released the following statement upon learning of the death of Professor Wangari Maathai:\r\n\r\n\tIt is with a heavy heart that I received the news of Professor Maathai's passing. I send my sincere condolences to her family and loved ones. Professor Maathai's inspirational work was built on the simple act of planting a tree, an act repeated over forty million times since Maathai founded the Green Belt Movement in 1977.\r\n\r\n\tI was pleased to have the opportunity to plant a Golden Rain Tree with her on the Capitol Grounds at an event I organized in 2005 along with the Congressional Black Caucus, the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, and the Architect of the Capitol. It was the first tree ever planted on the Capitol grounds in honor of an African woman or a Nobel Laureate.\r\n\r\n\tHer Nobel Peace Prize, the first awarded to an African woman, was well deserved for her outstanding contributions to a sustainable, peaceful, and democratic Africa.\r\n\r\n\tBeyond the Nobel Prize and many prestigious awards, Professor Maathai's greatest legacy will be the tens of millions of lives she has impacted and will continue to touch long after today due to her critical work empowering women, strengthening democracy, and working on behalf of Africa's most impoverished communities.\r\n\r\n\t###\r\n\r\n\tFollow Barbara Lee on Twitter @RepBarbaraLee \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-calls-out-gop-for-protecting-polluters", "Lee Calls Out GOP for Protecting Polluters", "2011-09-26", "2011", "2011-09", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "09.26.11\n\t\t\t Lee Calls Out GOP for Protecting Polluters \n\t\t\t\r\n\tContact Kristal DeKleer (202) 225-1882\r\n\r\n\tWashington, D.C. Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) issued the following statement on H.R. 2401, a misguided and dangerous Republican-sponsored bill to block and indefinitely delay two of the most important, life-saving Clean Air rules  the Mercury and Air Toxics Standards and the Cross-State Air Pollution Rule:\r\n\r\n\tToday, House Republicans passed the TRAIN Act, a bill to undermine the Clean Air Act's ability to crack down on pollution in our communities and endangers public health. This dangerous proposal threatens the quality of life for our children, our families and our communities.\r\n\r\n\tIt is shameful that Republicans are pushing their anti-environmental agenda under the guise of job creation. This bill blocks EPA's ability to move forward with two long overdue Clean Air Act rules  the Mercury and Air Toxics Standard and the Cross-State Air Pollution Rule  which will reduce harmful air pollution that threatens public health, especially the health of vulnerable populations, including children and seniors.\r\n\r\n\tThe Clean Air Act is one of the most successful public health programs in American history  with a return of more than $30 in benefits for every dollar invested in pollution reductions over the life of this law. Despite what you have heard from politicians that side with polluters, we can have both clean air and jobs. We must put an end to any agenda that rewards polluters at the expense of our children's health and well-being.\r\n\r\n\t###\r\n\r\n\tFollow Barbara Lee on Twitter @RepBarbaraLee\r\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-barbara-lee-announces-15-million-dot-grant-award-for-ac-transit", "Congresswoman Barbara Lee Announces $15 million DOT Grant Award for AC Transit", "2011-09-23", "2011", "2011-09", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "09.23.11\n\t\t\t Congresswoman Barbara Lee Announces $15 million DOT Grant Award for AC Transit \n\t\t\t\r\n\tContact: Ricci Graham\r\n\r\n\t510-763-0370\r\n\r\n\t\r\n\r\n\tWashington, D.C.  Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) announced today that the Alameda-Contra Costa Transit Agency (AC Transit) has been awarded a $15 million grant by the U.S. Department of Transportation through its Federal Transit Administration program.\r\n\r\n\tThe funds from this grant award will be used to support AC Transit's state-of-the-art Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project, including dedicated bus lanes, transit signal priority, real-time bus arrival information and 47 bus stations from the downtown Berkeley BART station to the downtown San Leandro BART Station, and would run through downtown Oakland along the Telegraph Avenue, International Boulevard and East 14thStreet corridor. The BRT will provide high-quality, fast, and frequent express bus service along a 14 mile heavily urbanized corridor. Construction is scheduled to begin in 2012 and will be completed in 2014.\r\n\r\n\tI am pleased that AC Transit has been selected to receive this important funding, Congresswoman Lee said. With these funds, AC Transit will be able to provide more efficient service to the communities in my District and beyond. Continued investment in our public transportation infrastructure is paramount to rebuilding our economy, creating jobs, and promoting healthy, sustainable communities.\r\n\r\n\t###\r\n\r\n\t\r\n\r\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-announces-2095-million-in-usaid-funding-for-the-oakland-based-public-health-institute", "Congresswoman Lee Announces $209.5 million in USAID Funding for the Oakland-based Public Health Institute", "2011-09-23", "2011", "2011-09", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "09.23.11\n\t\t\t Congresswoman Lee Announces $209.5 million in USAID Funding for the Oakland-based Public Health Institute \n\t\t\t\r\n\tContact\r\n\r\n\tKristal DeKleer (202) 225-1882\r\n\r\n\t\r\n\r\n\tWashington, D.C.  Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-09) is excited to announce that the Oakland-based Public Health Institute (PHI) has been selected to receive $209.5 million in cooperative agreement funding from the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID).\r\n\r\n\tThe award is nearly twice as large as previous USAID agreements, and will provide PHI the financial resources necessary for it to continue its effort to create a large, sustainable and diverse pool of talented global health professionals for the Global Health Fellows Program.\r\n\r\n\tIt is with great pride that I announce this funding for the Public Health Institute, said Congresswoman Barbara Lee. This award is well-deserved and is reflective of the fine work that is being done by the Public Health Institute to create the next generation of global health professionals.\r\n\r\n\t###\r\n\r\n\t\r\n\r\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-introduces-bill-to-fight-discrimination-against-people-living-with-hiv", "Lee Introduces Bill to Fight Discrimination Against People Living with HIV", "2011-09-23", "2011", "2011-09", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "09.23.11\n\t\t\t Lee Introduces Bill to Fight Discrimination Against People Living with HIV  \n\t\t\t\r\n\tFor Immediate Release\r\n\r\n\t\r\n\r\n\tContact\r\n\r\n\tKristal DeKleer (202) 225-1882\r\n\r\n\t\r\n\r\n\tCongresswoman Calls for Repeal of Unfair Criminal and Civil Laws\r\n\r\n\t\r\n\r\n\tWashington, D.C.  Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) introduced legislation to address the serious problem of discrimination in state criminal and civil laws against those who test positive for HIV. The bill creates incentives and support for states to reform existing policies that use legal authority to target people living with HIV for felony charges and severe punishments for behavior that is otherwise legal or that poses no measurable risk of HIV transmission.\r\n\r\n\t\r\n\r\n\tLaws that place an additional burden on HIV-positive individuals because of their HIV status lag far behind the medical advances and scientific discoveries in the fight against the epidemic, said Congresswoman Lee. Instead of progress against the disease and protection for people living with HIV/AIDS, criminalization laws breed fear, discrimination, distrust, and hatred.\"  \r\n\t  \r\n\t\"Although our country has made notable advances in the global fight against HIV/AIDS, we have a long way to go, continued Lee. The decriminalization of HIV/AIDS is one way we can reduce stigma in our communities, while fighting the epidemic in a rational, holistic, and truly rights-based fashion.\"  \r\n\t  \r\n\tThe laws targeted by the legislation are those that are inconsistent with evidence-based initiatives and are at direct odds with U.S. public health goals and HIV prevention strategies and programs. The bill requires federal and state officials to review federal and state laws and policies that involve criminal cases against people living with HIV/AIDS, and to provide support for education and reform initiatives.\r\n\r\n\t\r\n\r\n\t###\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\r\n\r\n\tCongresswoman Lee has been a leader in the fight against the global HIV/AIDS pandemic. She co-authored legislation signed into law creating the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB and Malaria in 2000, the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) in 2003, the PEPFAR Reauthorization Act in 2008, and in 2005 legislation addressing the needs of orphans and vulnerable children affected by HIV/AIDS. She has also been a leader in the effort to establish a NationalAIDS Strategy, and is a member ofthe Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health, Human Services & Educationwith jurisdiction over all domesticHIV/AIDS funding. She is the only United States representative on United Nations Development Programme's Global Commission on HIV and the Law and was the original sponsor of legislation that lead to the repeal of the Immigration and Travel ban that barred the entry of HIV positive individuals. The repeal allowed the International AIDS conference - scheduled for July 2012 in Washington DC -to be held in the U.S. after 20 years.\r\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-welcomes-news-that-unjust-imprisonment-of-iran-hostages-is-finally-over", "Congresswoman Lee Welcomes News That Unjust Imprisonment of Iran Hostages is Finally Over", "2011-09-21", "2011", "2011-09", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "09.21.11\n\t\t\t Congresswoman Lee Welcomes News That Unjust Imprisonment of Iran Hostages is Finally Over \n\t\t\t\r\n\tFor Immediate Release\r\n\r\n\t\r\n\r\n\tContact\r\n\r\n\tKristal DeKleer (202) 225-1882\r\n\r\n\t\r\n\r\n\tShane and Josh Are Free!\r\n\r\n\t\r\n\r\n\tWashington, D.C. Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) issued the following statement today in response to the release of Joshua Fattal and Shane Bauer, the two U.C. Berkeley alumni who have been detained in Iran since July 31, 2009:\r\n\r\n\t\r\n\r\n\tI am greatly relieved by the news that Shane and Josh are finally free after over two years of unjust imprisonment.\r\n\r\n\t\r\n\r\n\tSince their arrest, I have worked toward their release and called on the Iranian government to free these young American citizens who committed no crime. They never should have been arrested in the first place and it is a shame that they were used as political pawns by the government of Iran.\r\n\r\n\t\r\n\r\n\tI am glad that Shane and Josh will be returning home to their families who have suffered while working tirelessly for their children's release. Shane will also be returning to his fiance, Sarah Shourd, who herself was unfairly imprisoned until her release one year ago.\r\n\r\n\t\r\n\r\n\tWe look forward to welcoming Shane and Josh back home and wish them a happy reunion with their families and loved ones.\r\n\r\n\t\r\n\r\n\t###\r\n\r\n\t\r\n\r\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-announces-over-65-million-in-transportation-funds-for-oakland-airport-taxiway-rehabilitation", "Barbara Lee Announces Over $6.5 Million in Transportation Funds for Oakland Airport Taxiway Rehabilitation", "2011-09-20", "2011", "2011-09", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "09.20.11\n\t\t\t Barbara Lee Announces Over $6.5 Million in Transportation Funds for Oakland Airport Taxiway Rehabilitation \n\t\t\t\r\n\tFor Immediate Release\r\n\r\n\tContact: Ricci Graham\r\n\t(510) 763-0370\r\n\r\n\tOakland  Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) announced today that the Port of Oakland will receive $ 6,547,045in U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) funding to rehabilitate taxiways at the Oakland International Airport.The funding will be used for necessary maintenance of the airport's W and U taxiways, which help the airport serve more than 14 million travelers annually.\r\n\r\n\tI am pleased that the Port of Oakland has been selected to receive funding that will help enhance services currently provided by the Oakland International Airport, said Congresswoman Lee. This award is a reminder that our economic recovery is dependent on continued investment in our transportation and aviation infrastructure.\r\n\r\n\tPort of Oakland Executive Director Omar Benjamin added, We are excited to receive word that Oakland International Airport will receive $6.5 million for our taxiway rehabilitation project. As always, Congresswoman Barbara Lee has worked tirelessly to help secure essential funding that enables us to continue to improve and modernize our airport.\"\r\n\r\n\t###\r\n\r\n\tFollow Barbara Lee on Twitter @RepBarbaraLee\r\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-statement-on-the-end-of-dont-ask-dont-tell", "Barbara Lee Statement on the End of \"Don't Ask, Don't Tell\"", "2011-09-20", "2011", "2011-09", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "09.20.11\n\t\t\t Barbara Lee Statement on the End of \"Don't Ask, Don't Tell\" \n\t\t\t\r\n\tFor Immediate Release\r\n\r\n\t\r\n\r\n\tContact\r\n\r\n\tKristal DeKleer, (202) 225-4783\r\n\r\n\t\r\n\r\n\tWashington, D.C. - Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) released the following statement on the official repeal of \"Don't Ask, Don't Tell\", a policy that prevented openly gay and lesbian service members from serving in the military:\r\n\r\n\t\r\n\r\n\t\"Today, we celebrate the end of a discriminatory era against gay and lesbian service members in America with the official repeal of 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell'. For too long, this failed policy unfairly denied fundamental civil liberties to highly qualified individuals who wished to serve our country. As a Vice-Chair of the Congressional LGBT Equality caucus, I am pleased that the tireless work of my Congressional colleagues, the Administration, and the LGBT community resulted in the end of 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell'.\r\n\r\n\t\r\n\r\n\tAlthough this is a remarkable step forward, we still have a long way to go to attain full equality for LGBT people. Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgendered people continue to be targets of discrimination in our policies, our laws, and our society.\r\n\r\n\t\r\n\r\n\tI have always said that discrimination is un-American and we, as a nation, must continue to fight for policies that bring us closer to fulfilling the principles we espouse. I encourage my constituents, my colleagues and our country to stay committed to ensuring that sexual orientation and gender-identity are no longer a cause for inequality.\"\r\n\r\n\t\r\n\r\n\t***\r\n\r\n\tCongresswoman Barbara Lee is a Vice-Chair and founding member of the Congressional LGBT Equality Caucus. She is proud to stand with a bipartisan caucus that is strongly committed to achieving the full enjoyment of human rights for LGBT people in the U.S. and around the world.\r\n\r\n\t\r\n\r\n\t###\r\n\r\n\t\r\n\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/barbara-lee-ignoring-the-long-term-unemployed-is-hurting-economy", "Barbara Lee: Ignoring the long-term unemployed is hurting economy", "2011-09-19", "2011", "2011-09", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "09.19.11\n\t\t\t Barbara Lee: Ignoring the long-term unemployed is hurting economy \n\t\t\t\r\n\tFor Immediate Release\r\n\r\n\t\r\n\r\n\tContact\r\n\r\n\tKristal DeKleer (202) 225-1882\r\n\r\n\t\r\n\r\n\tWashington, D.C. - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) issued the following statement in response to figures released by the Department of Labor showing that unemployment rates rose in a majority of states across the country in August:\r\n\r\n\tWe must take immediate action to address the rising rates of unemployment across the country. As Americans struggle to meet the basic needs of themselves and their families, they are losing hope. Of the 13.9 million people out of work, 6.2 million have been unemployed for nearly two years. Currently, 3.6 million Americans rely on emergency and extended unemployment benefits because their traditional benefits have expired. Thirty-nine states and territories reported an increase in unemployment claims over the last month.\r\n\r\n\tWe must provide jobless workers with temporary assistance to meet their basic needs while they focus on getting a job. Immediate action must be taken to extend unemployment benefits fourteen more weeks for those who have reached the end of their 99 weeks of unemployment benefits. My bill, H.R. 589, provides this lifeline. Not only do jobless workers need assistance for food and shelter month to month, but unemployed workers immediately spend the assistance  which stimulates the economy and contributes to job growth. It is far past time we act. I reiterate my call to Speaker Boehner to allow an up or down vote on H.R. 589.\r\n\r\n\t###\r\n\r\n\tFollow Barbara Lee on Twitter @RepBarbaraLee\r\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-releases-statement-in-honor-of-hispanic-heritage-month", "Lee Releases Statement in Honor of Hispanic Heritage Month", "2011-09-19", "2011", "2011-09", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON D.C.  Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) issued the following statement today in observance of Hispanic Heritage Month, which is observed from September 15 to October 15:\r\n\t\r\n\t\tEvery year, Americans honor Hispanic Heritage Month to commemorate the remarkable and immeasurable contributions that Latinos have made to our nation. I have the privilege of serving a vibrant and dynamic community of Latinos who live in my 9th Congressional District of California. Their record of achievement in every facet of our richly diverse community is truly remarkable. For generations, Hispanic American intellectuals, writers, artists, workers, activists, teachers, entrepreneurs, and leaders have enriched our nation as they worked to achieve the American dream.\r\n\t\r\n\t\tAs a member of the Tri-Caucus, which is made up of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC), the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC), and the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC), I am a proud and vocal advocate for the Latino community and all communities of color who will benefit from our efforts to expand opportunity and promote prosperity for all. It is with gratitude that I honor Hispanic Heritage Month, and with excitement I anticipate the future strides Hispanic Americans will make for our nation.\r\n\t\r\n\t\tCongresista Barbara Lee Hace Declaracin Honrando El Mes De La Herencia Hispana\r\n\t\r\n\t\tWASHINGTON D.C.  La Congresista Barbara Lee (D-CA) hizo la siguiente declaracin en observacin del Mes de la Herencia Hispana, que se observa desde el 15 del septiembre hasta el 15 de octubre:\r\n\t\r\n\t\tCada ao, los estadounidenses honran el Mes de la Herencia Hispana durante el cual se conmemoran las contribuciones notables e inconmensurables que han hecho los latinos en esta nacin. Tengo el privilegio de representar una comunidad vibrante y dinmica de latinos que viven en mi Distrito Congresional. Sus logros en cada faceta de nuestra diversa comunidad son realmente extraordinarios. Durante generaciones, los intelectuales, escritores, artistas, trabajadores, activistas, profesores, emprendedores y lderes hispanoamericanos han enriquecido nuestra nacin mientras que han seguido trabajando para conseguir el sueo americano.\r\n\t\r\n\t\tComo miembro del Tri-Caucus, que se comprime del Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC), el Congressional Black Caucus (CBC), y el Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC), soy una defensora orgullosa y abierta para la comunidad Latina y todas las comunidades de color que pueden sacar provecho de nuestros esfuerzos para expandir las oportunidades y promover la prosperidad para todos. Es con gratitud que honro el Mes de la Herencia Hispana y con emocin que espero los futuros pasos para adelante que darn los hispanoamericanos para nuestra nacin. \r\n\t\r\n\t\t###\r\n\t\r\n\t\tFollow Barbara Lee on Twitter @RepBarbaraLee", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://lee.house.gov/news/press-releases/barbara-lee-tri-caucus-members-introduce-the-health-equity-and-accountability-act", "Barbara Lee, Tri-Caucus Members Introduce the Health Equity and Accountability Act", "2011-09-16", "2011", "2011-09", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "09.16.11\n\t\t\t Barbara Lee, Tri-Caucus Members Introduce the Health Equity and Accountability Act  \n\t\t\t\r\n\tContact: Kristal DeKleer (202) 225-1882\r\n\r\n\tWashington, D.C.Today, Members of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC), Congressional Black Caucus (CBC), and Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) introduced the Health Equity and Accountability Act of 2011, a bill that complements the efforts of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and focuses on eliminating racial and ethnic health disparities. The bill was formally introduced today by Congresswoman Barbara Lee, Chair of CAPAC's Healthcare Taskforce, and included 68 original cosponsors. This legislation will serve a vital purpose in our nation's health care system, bringing health equity to all corners of our nation, said Rep. Barbara Lee, Chair of the Healthcare Task Force of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus. Building on the historic provisions in the Affordable Care Act, the Health Equity and Accountability Act of 2011 includes new and tools to ensure effective, prioritized action is taken to eliminate racial and ethnic disparities, which can help our nation save trillions of dollars in savings. Specifically, this legislation improves and guides federal efforts in the following vital areas: data collection and reporting; culturally and linguistically appropriate health care; health workforce diversity; improvement of health outcomes for women, children and families; mental health; high impact minority diseases (hepatitis B, HIV/AIDS, diabetes, cancer); health information technology; emboldened accountability and evaluation; creation of a new Office of Minority Health at the Department of Veterans Affairs; and, addressing social determinants of health.  The Health Equity and Accountability Act is the next step forward in our efforts to eliminate the unique health disparities facing minority communities, said CAPAC Chair Rep. Judy Chu. This bill includes some of the top healthcare priorities for Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, including provisions for more accurate and disaggregated data collection, culturally and linguistically appropriate health care, and measures to address diseases like Hepatitis B that disproportionately impact our community. To achieve this goal, we have brought together one of the broadest coalitions in recent years to build upon the successes of the Affordable Care Act and ensure that we have a plan to improve our communities' health outcomes moving forward. I commend Congresswoman Barbara Lee, CAPAC's Healthcare Taskforce Chair, for leading these efforts in the 112th Congress, and thank all of our partners in the Tri-Caucus for their dedication to this important cause. Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard, Chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Task Force on Health, said: It is a privilege for me to work with such determined and committed Tri-Caucus leaders in Congress, and to be once again joining forces with them to promote the new Health Equity and Accountability Act of 2011 that was introduced by Congresswoman Barbara Lee this past week. It is our hope that this new bill will serve as the vehicle to move us forward in the effort to eliminate all health inequities.  \"While we worked very hard to ensure the inclusion of meaningful health equity and health disparity elimination provisions in the Affordable Care Act, we also realize that there is a great deal of work that remains,\" noted Congresswoman Donna Christensen, a physician and Chair of the CBC Health Braintrust. \"The Health Equity and Accountability Act of 2011 not only complements the health equity measures in the historic health care reform law, but builds upon and expands ongoing efforts and forthcoming initiatives to eliminate health disparities and ensure health equity for every man, woman and child in the United States.\" ### Follow Barbara Lee on Twitter @RepBarbaraLee  \r\n\t\r\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-barbara-lee-applauds-decision-to-improve-outreach-to-small-and-disadvantaged-businesses-for-ca-high-speed-rail-projects", "Congresswoman Barbara Lee Applauds Decision to Improve Outreach to Small and Disadvantaged Businesses for CA High Speed Rail Projects", "2011-09-16", "2011", "2011-09", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "09.16.11\n\t\t\t Congresswoman Barbara Lee Applauds Decision to Improve Outreach to Small and Disadvantaged Businesses for CA High Speed Rail Projects \n\t\t\t\r\n\tContact: Kristal DeKleer (202) 225-1882\r\n\r\n\tOakland, CA Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee released the following statement in response to the order from the U.S. Department of Transportation requiring that the California High Speed Rail Authority make greater efforts to ensure minority-owned businesses have an opportunity to take part in California's largest infrastructure project in over 50 years:\r\n\r\n\tAs an advocate for our small and disadvantaged businesses and their full participation in this major project, I was pleased with the Department of Transportation's decision yesterday, recognizing the pressing need for reform in how California builds our high speed rail infrastructure.\r\n\r\n\tIt's vitally important that all California businesses have an opportunity to take part in this important project.\r\n\r\n\tI will continue to work on behalf of our local small and minority owned businesses whose participation is not only important in the interest of fairness, but is also vital to California's economic recovery.\r\n\r\n\t###\r\n\r\n\tFollow Barbara Lee on Twitter@RepBarbaraLee\r\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-mcdermott-and-franks-launch-congressional-hiv/aids-caucus", "Lee, McDermott and Franks Launch Congressional HIV/AIDS Caucus", "2011-09-16", "2011", "2011-09", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "09.16.11\n\t\t\t Lee, McDermott and Franks Launch Congressional HIV/AIDS Caucus \n\t\t\t\r\n\tKristal DeKleer (202) 225-1882\r\n\r\n\tWashington, D.C. Administration officials, experts and advocates joined Representatives Barbara Lee, Jim McDermott and Trent Franks, co-chairs of the Congressional HIV/AIDS Caucus, to launch the Congressional HIV/AIDS Caucus. Thirty years after the first discovery of AIDS in the U.S., it remains one of the greatest humanitarian crises of our time. An estimated 33.4 million people worldwide live with HIV/AIDS and more than 25 million people have died since 1981.\r\n\r\n\t\"The United States' global leadership and the generosity of the American people have made a profound and positive difference in the AIDS epidemic, said Michel Sidib, Executive Director at UNAIDS. This sustainedcommitment, across political administrations for more than a decade, has saved millions of lives. And I am counting on the Congressional HIV/AIDS Caucus to continue to play a critical role in shaping the future of the AIDS response.\"\r\n\r\n\tThe story of PEPFAR has demonstrated the remarkable good will and generosity of the American people in addressing our global HIV/AIDS crisis, said Ambassador Eric Goosby, U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator. Congress' ongoing bipartisan support for PEPFAR, and President Obama's continuing stewardship of a landmark program launched by President George W. Bush, have shown the world that PEPFAR is a vital, effective element of our foreign policy, saving millions of lives across the globe. With continued support from Congress, the path toward an HIV-free generation is becoming clear.\r\n\r\n\tThe United States continues to face a very serious domestic HIV epidemic and President Obama has made it a priority by releasing the Nation's first comprehensive National HIV/AIDS Strategy for the United States. Congressional leadership on domestic and global HIV/AIDS has been critical and we look forward to continuing to work with Congress on this important effort, said Jeffrey S. Crowley, White House Director of the Office of National AIDS Policy. \r\n\r\n\tAmerican leadership in the global fight against HIV/AIDS began a decade ago when Republican and Democratic leaders stood together and refused to allow a deadly disease to claim a generation of African teachers, nurses, doctors, parents and children, said Michael Gerson, ONE senior advisor and Washington Post columnist. The HIV/AIDS caucus announced today will remind Congress of a great bipartisan achievement  and of a continuing responsibility to save lives.\r\n\r\n\tFormation of the Congressional HIV/AIDS Caucus signals a determination to move forward to end the epidemic domestically and globally, commented Ronald Johnson, Vice President of Policy and Advocacy at AIDS United. Release and implementation of the U.S. National HIV/AIDS Strategy, progress achieved through PEPFAR and the Global Fund, and recent HIV research advances show that increasingly we have the knowledge, skills, and tools to reduce new infections, increase access to care, and eliminate disparities and inequities. This is a unique moment of opportunity. This is not the time for U.S. leadership to weaken; indeed it must grow and strengthen.\r\n\r\n\t\"The US response to global AIDS is an example of how targeted US foreign assistance saves lives and is very cost-effective, even more so as it is leveraging significant donations from private corporations, individual Americans, and other nations, said Kent Hill, World Vision's Senior Vice President for International Programs. Working together, we can make a big difference.\"\r\n\r\n\t\"In reflecting on the past three decades, I am amazed by how much has changed, especially in light of the remarkable accomplishments in recent years,\" said Congresswoman Barbara Lee, Co-Chair of the Congressional HIV/AIDS Caucus. \"We declared a state of emergency in Alameda County in my district, set up a trust fund at the World Bank for the AIDS Marshall Plan for Africa, helped build the framework for the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, worked to create PEPFAR, and managed to get the travel ban repealed in order to secure the International AIDS Conference on U.S. soil. Today, with remarkable medical advances in AIDS research, we recommit ourselves to achieving universal access and standing up to demand human rights for all.\"\r\n\r\n\t\"HIV is a monstrous international epidemic and a destructive force on humanity, said Congressman Trent Franks, Co-Chair of the Congressional HIV/AIDS Caucus. Today, millions of children in the developing world are born to mothers living with HIV, but with the right investments, we can witness the virtual elimination of mother-to-child transmission. My two top priorities as co-chair of the HIV/AIDS Caucus are to better enable faith-based organizations to implement life-saving medical services and to make significant strides so no child is born with HIV after 2015, and I look forward to working with my colleagues to bring attention to this important humanitarian issue.\"\r\n\r\n\tWe cannot fool ourselves into thinking that we have HIV/AIDS under control, because we don't, said Congressman Jim McDermott, Co-Chair of the Congressional HIV/AIDS Caucus. Despite the enormous progress we have made over 30 years, we still have no vaccine, and treatment remains out of reach for so many. We have to keep our eye on the ball and continue pushing forward: prevention, treatment, and finding a vaccine must remain our focus.\r\n\r\n\tThe bipartisan Congressional HIV/AIDS Caucus was created to examine methods by which the United States can maintain global leadership in the response to the epidemic in the U.S. and around the world. The Caucus will also provide opportunities to galvanize new leadership in preparation for the International AIDS Conference to be held in Washington, D.C. in July 2012. The Caucus currently has 59 Members.\r\n\r\n\t###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://lee.house.gov/news/press-releases/barbara-lee-congressional-progressive-caucus-present-plan-to-rebuild-american-dream", "Barbara Lee, Congressional Progressive Caucus Present Plan to Rebuild American Dream", "2011-09-14", "2011", "2011-09", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "09.14.11\n\t\t\t Barbara Lee, Congressional Progressive Caucus Present Plan to Rebuild American Dream \n\t\t\t\r\n\tContact Kristal DeKleer (202) 225-1882\r\n\r\n\tWashington, D.C.  Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) issued the following statement at the Congressional Progressive Caucus press conference:\r\n\r\n\tWhile I am pleased that the President made a strong case for his bill last week, I certainly think that we need to go bigger and bolder. After touring the country and listening to the American people on this summer's Speak Out for Good Jobs! Tour, the Congressional Progressive Caucus is determined to rebuild the American dream.\r\n\r\n\tToday, we present the Rebuild the American Dream Platform, a comprehensive effort to put Americans back to work. The six principles outlined in the platform address three key ideals: In America, every good worker deserves a good American job.America should work again for people who work for a living.Working Americans should use their strength in numbers to counter corporate dollars.\r\n\r\n\tWe need to invest in workers, provide targeted relief to the most vulnerable struggling to get by, and give the economy the jolt it needs. Too many Americans have exhausted their 99 weeks of unemployment benefits we must provide another 14 weeks of benefits, not only providing an immediate injection into our economy, but increasing demand and creating jobs. Communities of color continue to carry the burden of higher unemployment rates than the national average of 9.1 percent. African Americans have an unemployment rate of 16.7 percent and Latinos have an unemployment rate of 11.3 percent. We need immediate and DIRECT investment for the communities hit hardest by high unemployment.\r\n\r\n\tWhile there is no one way to go about creating jobs and growing our economy, the Congressional Progressive Caucus will continue to lead the way on helping our most vulnerable who have been hit the hardest by the Great Recession. \r\n\r\n\t###\r\n\r\n\tFollow Barbara Lee on Twitter @RepBarbaraLee\r\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-receives-honor-from-ms-society", "Barbara Lee Receives Honor from MS Society", "2011-09-14", "2011", "2011-09", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "09.14.11\n\t\t\t Barbara Lee Receives Honor from MS Society \n\t\t\t\r\n\tContact Kristal DeKleer (202) 225-1882 \r\n\r\n\tWashington, D.C.  On Wednesday, September 14, 2011, Congresswoman Barbara Lee was honored by the National MS Society for her relentless dedication to end Multiple Sclerosis.\r\n\r\n\tUpon accepting the award, Congresswoman Lee said, Thank you to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society for this award. Thank you so much for your dedication to this very important, life affirming cause. Your support means so much to so many and we all are deeply grateful for your assistance. I am so pleased to be able to join you and celebrate the work that you do. Tonight, I am accompanied by my sister, Mildred, who was diagnosed with MS when she was 26 yrs old. She has been living a productive and fruitful life. She has learned about the treatments and medications and fortunately she has had access to some of the best health care possible. But she wants everybody to have access to the types of treatment she has had. I will continue to fight hard to invest more funding in finding the causes of MS, to prevent it, to improve existing therapies, to expand access to treatment, and yes, with your support, to keep working until we find a cure! On behalf of my constituents of the 9th Congressional District of California, all of those living with MS, my family and friends and my sister Mildred, thank you for this amazing award tonight. \r\n\r\n\tCongresswoman Lee introduced H.R. 138 to urge local governments to support of the goals and ideals of Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Week. Lee also introduced H.R. 883, an effort to serve youth with neurological conditions through supporting adult day programs.\r\n\r\n\t###\r\n\r\n\tFollow Barbara Lee on Twitter @RepBarbaraLee\r\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-comments-on-usda-hunger-report", "Barbara Lee Comments on USDA Hunger Report", "2011-09-13", "2011", "2011-09", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "09.13.11\n\t\t\t Barbara Lee Comments on USDA Hunger Report \n\t\t\t\r\n\tContact: Kristal DeKleer (202) 225-1882\r\n\r\n\tWashington, D.C.  Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) issued the following statement on the U.S. Department of Agriculture report, Household Food Security in the United States in 2010:\r\n\r\n\tIt is tragic that in the wealthiest and most powerful country in the world, millions of Americans continue to struggle with hunger each and every day. Due to the commitment by the President to reduce child hunger and the hard work of thousands of federal, state and local workers, and untold numbers of food banks, community groups and service organizations,we are moving in the right direction and we are reducing hunger even during a difficult recession. The USDA reported that the national rate of food insecurity,' which is a technical term for American families having to go to bed hungry, decreased slightly to 14.5 percent. Nearly 10 percent of children in American households are missing meals at some time during the year.\r\n\r\n\tWe continue, however, to see an unacceptable gap in the rates of hunger in minority communities. For white households, the rate of food insecurity is 10.8 percent, compared to African American households at 25.1 percent and Hispanic households at 26.2 percent. Rates of \"high food insecurity\" have a similar pattern of racial disparity, with Whites at 4.2 percent, African Americans at 9.1 percent, and Hispanic households at 8.4 percent.\r\n\r\n\tThe disparities in the rates of hunger in American families are a direct reflection of thehistoric and ongoing impacts of the pattern and practice of discrimination in employment, education, housing, banking and nearly every other aspect of American life. We must put targeted policies in place that will invest in African Americans, Latinos and communities of color -- that is the only way that we will ever close the persistent disparities in hunger and inequality of all kindswhich continues to divide Americans along the colorline.\r\n\r\n\t###\r\n\r\n\tFollow Barbara Lee on Twitter @RepBarbaraLee\r\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-proposed-troop-reduction-in-iraq-shows-progress-within-administration", "Lee: Proposed Troop Reduction in Iraq Shows Progress Within Administration", "2011-09-08", "2011", "2011-09", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "09.08.11\n\t\t\t Lee: Proposed Troop Reduction in Iraq Shows Progress Within Administration   \n\t\t\t\r\n\tFor Immediate Release\r\n\r\n\tContact:  \r\n\tKristal DeKleer, (202) 225-1882\r\n\r\n\tWashington, D.C. Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) issued the following statement in response to Department of Defense Secretary Leon Panetta's announcement that the Obama Administration is considering reducing the troop level in Iraq to three or four thousand by the end of 2011:\r\n\r\n\tI believe the Administration is headed in the right direction as leaders consider dramatically shrinking the military force in Iraq. As the year-end deadline for complete withdrawal of the United States military nears, I am aware that advisors continue to press for a larger presence there for years to come. In the face of this pressure, we should take this moment to strengthen our efforts to push for a complete withdrawal by the end of the year. \r\n\r\n\tI introduced legislation to achieve this goal by prohibiting funding for any extension of the December 31, 2011, deadline to remove all U.S. troops and military contractors from Iraq. H.R. 2757, The Iraq Withdrawal Accountability Act of 2011, represents the will of the vast majority of the American public that supports the current plan to remove all U.S. troops from Iraq by the end of 2011. I applaud all efforts by the Administration to fully implement this policy.\r\n\r\n\tI will continue to urge President Obama to remove all our troops and military contractors from Iraq. A safe, responsible, and complete withdrawal of the 47,000 troops in Iraq would save tens of billions of dollars annually, create more stability in the region, and protect our nation's strategic security interests here and abroad. Now is the time to lay our weapons down and pick our people up  and it is time for the Iraqi government to do the same. \r\n\r\n\t###\r\n\r\n\tFollow Barbara Lee on Twitter @RepBarbaraLee\r\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-congressional-out-of-poverty-caucus-call-on-president-invest-in-projects-that-better-country-put-americans-to-work", "Barbara Lee, Congressional Out of Poverty Caucus Call on President: Invest in Projects That Better Country, Put Americans to Work", "2011-09-07", "2011", "2011-09", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C. As President Obama prepares to present a national plan for job creation to a Joint Session of Congress, the Congressional Out of Poverty Caucus sent a letter to the President urging him to use this opportunity to address the needs of low-income families and those families facing or living in poverty. The letter urged the President to meet our national moral and economic obligation to help the most vulnerable survive this severe economic downturn. Signed by Caucus Co-Chairs Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA), Congressman Joe Baca (D-CA), Congressman G.K. Butterfield (D-NC), Congressman John Conyers, Jr. (D-MI), and Congressman Michael Honda (D-CA), the letter urged the President to present a bold plan of direct investment in the programs and projects that not only better our country, but put Americans to work.\r\n\t\r\n\t\tMany Americans are experiencing poverty who never expected to be in such a place, directly affected by the Great Recession and the high levels of unemployment that swept across the country affecting all socioeconomic, racial, ethnic, and educational backgrounds. The Great Recession has been a Great Depression for communities of color. The national unemployment rate is stagnant at 9.1% after the month of August  but increased from 15.9% to 16.7% in African American communities. The national average of children living in poverty in America is 20%, compared to 36% for African American children and 31% for Latino children. The median net worth of a white family in 2009 was 20 times greater than that of the average black family, and 18 times greater than the average Hispanic family.\r\n\t\r\n\t\tAfter attending town hall meetings, job fairs, and public forums, I have heard from and directly met with real people and real families as they looked for work, said Congresswoman Barbara Lee. There is a level of despair and struggle that I have never seen before. It is critical that these messages are brought directly to the halls of Congress and the White House. Leaders in Washington have spent too much time and energy focused on deficit reduction and playing political games, and now is the time to create jobs, target economic inequality, and fight against poverty. OUR NATION'S JOB CRISIS IS A NATIONAL EMERGENCY.\r\n\t\r\n\t\tSpecifically, the Caucus requested that any jobs plan going forward maintain the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, maintain the emergency extension of unemployment insurance benefits, extend unemployment benefits by 14 weeks for the long-term jobless workers, initiate a work-share program to substitute shorter hours for layoffs, and expand programs supporting federal summer jobs, national service, and targeted federal on the job training.\r\n\t\r\n\t\tWe must prove that our country is capable of providing pathways from poverty to prosperity  FOR ALL, said Congresswoman Lee. America's strength has been her ability to empower people to provide for themselves and their families, breaking the cycle of poverty and unemployment. As Americans begin to recover from a devastating recession and begin again to create a personal safety net, it is incumbent on our President to reach out to the less fortunate, support those that are struggling, and work together to create pathways out of poverty.\r\n\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\t###\r\n\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t  \r\n\t\r\n\t\tSeptember 6, 2011\r\n\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\tThe Honorable Barack Obama\r\n\t\r\n\t\tPresident, United States of America\r\n\t\r\n\t\tThe White House\r\n\t\r\n\t\t1600 Pennsylvania Avenue\r\n\t\r\n\t\tWashington, D.C. 20500\r\n\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\tDear President Obama:\r\n\t\r\n\t\t As you work to create a jobs plan which will address the needs of workers and those seeking work across this country, it is important to both recognize and remember our moral and economic obligation to help low-income families and those families facing or living in poverty.\r\n\t\r\n\t\t As Co-Chairs of the Congressional Out of the Poverty Caucus, we are writing you to remind you that many Americans are facing poverty who never expected to be in such a place, brought to their knees by the Great Recession and the high levels of unemployment that swept across the country affecting people of all socioeconomic, racial, ethnic, and educational backgrounds. The unemployment rate has left 13.9 million people out of work (6.2 million of whom are long-term unemployed) for every job opening there are currently 4.4 unemployed workers. Worse yet, these numbers do not include those people across this country which have given up on trying to get a job or those who are underemployed. Right now, communities of color and young people have a higher unemployment rate than the national average of 9.1 percent: African Americans have an unemployment rate of 16.7 percent, Hispanics have an unemployment rate of 11.3 percent, and young people ages 16-19 have an unemployment rate of 25.4 percent. This data, combined with the ever-widening wealth gap between whites and African American and whites and Latinos as documented by the Pew Research Center, illuminate the urgency with which you much act to help our nation's most vulnerable populations\r\n\t\r\n\t\t We encourage you to make your jobs plan big and bold. Our nation's job crisis is a national emergency and requires significant investment in the programs and projects that not only better our country, but put Americans to work. While we believe that the investment could and should take many forms, we urge you to include these key programs and proposals in your upcoming jobs package which will support low-income people and grow our economy:\r\n\t \r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\tRestore the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) Emergency Contingency Fund, which immediately assists families in need across this country.\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\tMaintain the emergency extension of unemployment insurance (UI) benefits, which ensures that those jobless workers are able to afford basic necessities like food and shelter.\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\tExtend UI benefits by 14 weeks for those long-term jobless workers who have exhausted their 99 weeks of UI benefits, which would immediately be spent on necessities and spur demand in our economy.\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\tExpand targeted federal on the job training programs which can be rapidly scaled-up in those communities hit worst by the Great Recession, most often communities of color.\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\tExpanding federal summer job programs, national service programs, and other programs which support, train, and focus on youth.\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\tInitiate a work-share program would subsidize wages at firms that manage to substitute shorter hours for layoffs.\r\n\t \r\n\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\t Our nation's job crisis is a national emergency, and we look to you to present a bold package of direct investment which is aimed at our nation's most vulnerable  those facing or living in poverty. As we stat", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://lee.house.gov/news/press-releases/barbara-lee-comments-on-ten-year-observance-of-9/11", "Barbara Lee Comments on Ten Year Observance of 9/11", "2011-09-06", "2011", "2011-09", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "09.06.11\n\t\t\t Barbara Lee Comments on Ten Year Observance of 9/11   \n\t\t\t\r\n\tContact: Kristal DeKleer (202) 225-1882\r\n\r\n\tWashington, D.C.  Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) issued the following statement on the ten year observance of the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001:\r\n\r\n\tTen years ago, our Nation mourned the deaths of thousands killed in the 9/11 terrorist attacks. We still mourn. We still feel the hurt and the pain that we felt following that dreadful day. Our hearts remain heavy and we still hold the victims and their loved ones close to us.\r\n\r\n\tIn the aftermath of the attacks, I cautioned our leaders to use restraint during the dark days of mourning. I asked that we pause and reject the ready resort to violence as an answer to the murderous attack we had experienced. I knew that a conventional war was not the answer to this attack: war would not bring back our dead or heal the injured and mourning; war would not bring enduring stability to the region from which the attacks sprang; war would tarnish our reputation and challenge our ideals of due process, rule of law and the constructive use of diplomacy to isolate the non-state actors who had attacked us; war would bring death and injury to our service men and women; and war would drain our treasury and divert precious resources needed to prepare our nation and its citizens for the challenges of the 21st Century.\r\n\r\n\tTen years later, the facts are in:Enduring stability and the realization of our national interests and ideals in the region are far from assured. Our coffers are empty after protracted battles in far-away lands with billions lost to waste, fraud and abuse. More than two million troops have been deployed  some more than four times  and thousands of them have perished along the way. Our service men and women have performed with incredible courage and have done everything asked of them. In return, we must provide the benefits and services that they have earned and deserve.\r\n\r\n\tOn the domestic front, there are 2.4 million more children living in poverty in American now than on September 11, 2001. Our economy, jobs and housing markets have collapsed and we have too few resources to address these pressing needs. All levels of government have been forced to shrink, crippling our ability to generate the jobs necessary to move out of this morass and our capacity to help the most vulnerable struggling to get by.  \r\n\r\n\tTo this day, I believe we still have the capacity to make the decisions that will ensure our children are safe and educated, secure and housed, prepared to take their place as the leaders of free and democratic nation committed to the principles of liberty and justice for all. I believe that it remains our destiny to be a beacon of hope to the world. While it is not easy, we must come together as a country and embrace the lessons learned from our haste to act ten years ago and move forward in a new direction, caring for the most vulnerable here and abroad. It is from this place that peace is born.\r\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-congratulates-castro-valley-organizations-on-drug-free-communities-grant-awards", "Congresswoman Lee Congratulates Castro Valley Organizations on Drug Free Communities Grant Awards", "2011-09-02", "2011", "2011-09", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "09.02.11\n\t\t\t Congresswoman Lee Congratulates Castro Valley Organizations on Drug Free Communities Grant Awards \n\t\t\t\r\n\tContact: Kristal DeKleer (202) 225-1882\r\n\r\n\tWashington, D.C. Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) released the following statement announcing that the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has awarded grants to three local organizations participating in the Drug Free Communities Support Program:\r\n\r\n\tI am pleased ONDCP and SAMHSA recognized the efforts of three East Bay community organizations by selecting them to receive important grant funding. The continuation of $125,000 each in funding to the ACVPC's Horizon Services program and the Castro Valley Community Action Network's Await and Find project speaks to the extraordinary work that these coalitions are doing in their communities. And, I believe that the $75,000 in new funding directed to the ACVPC to provide mentorship services to the Hayward Coalition for Healthy Youth will foster even greater collaboration and development to prevent alcohol, tobacco and marijuana use among youth in the 9th Congressional District. I extend my heartfelt congratulations to these organizations and look forward to their future accomplishments and service to the East Bay community.\r\n\r\n\t\r\n\r\n\t###\r\n\r\n\t\r\n\r\n\tFollow Barbara Lee on Twitter @RepBarbaraLee\r\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/on-labor-day-congresswoman-honors-americas-workers-and-calls-for-gop-cooperation-in-quick-action-on-job-creation-measures-in-september", "On Labor Day, Congresswoman Honors America's Workers and Calls for GOP Cooperation in Quick Action on Job Creation Measures in September", "2011-09-02", "2011", "2011-09", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "09.02.11\n\t\t\t On Labor Day, Congresswoman Honors America's Workers and Calls for GOP Cooperation in Quick Action on Job Creation Measures in September \n\t\t\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\tKristal DeKleer (202) 225-1882\r\n\r\n\r\n\tAugust Jobs Report Underscores Jobs Crisis As National Emergency\r\n\r\n\tOakland, CA  On this Labor Day, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) calls on Republican leaders in the House to address the jobs crisis by enacting key pieces of legislation and encourages Americans to speak out in favor of the fundamental rights of American workers. After decades of protesting and organizing, American workers secured basic rights such as the minimum wage, the 40-hour work week, child labor laws, and the fundamental right to collectively bargain. Now, workers are just struggling to get a job.\r\n\r\n\tI am extremely disappointed that this morning's national unemployment figures show that the economy added no net new jobs in August, and while the unemployment rate remained at 9.1 percent nationally, it has risen dramatically from 15.9 percent to 16.7 percent in the African American community, said Congresswoman Lee. Our nation's jobs crisis is a national emergency. Leaders in Washington have spent too much time and energy focused on deficit reduction and playing political games and now it is time to work for job creation, address the realities of economic inequality, and fight against poverty.\r\n\r\n\tDemocrats are calling on Washington Republicans to quickly enact several measures that would create jobs now, provide support to the long-term unemployed, and strengthen the economy, such as:\r\n\r\n\t -The Urban Jobs Act (H.R. 683), which would provide job training, education, and support services and activities for eligible young adults to prepare them for entry into the workforce through local grants and the National Urban League.\r\n\r\n\t -Targeted federal on-the-job training programs which can be rapidly scaled up on those communities hit worst by the Great Recession, most often communities of color.\r\n\r\n\t -National service programs, federal summer job programs, and other programs which support, train, and focus on youth.\r\n\r\n\t -The Emergency Unemployment Compensation Expansion Act (H.R. 589), a bill I introduced to extend unemployment benefits for an additional fourteen weeks, not only providing unemployed workers with assistance for food and shelter, but stimulating the economy immediately.\r\n\r\n\t -A robust Highway bill that would rebuild American roads and transit as well as create jobs, at the same time rejecting the House GOP approach that would slash investments and would destroy more than 600,000 jobs.\r\n\r\n\t -A bipartisan Infrastructure Bank proposal that can create millions of new jobs by creating a private-public partnership to finance needed projects to rebuild and modernize our roads, bridges, schools, hospitals, airports, railways, ports, broadband, and power grids.\r\n\r\n\t -Legislation to create clean energy jobs, including renewing the clean energy manufacturing tax credit that expired in 2010.\r\n\r\n\tAfter more than 230 days in the majority, House Republicans have yet to pass a single piece of legislation to create jobs, have actually voted to pass legislation that would destroy nearly 2 million jobs, and have voted against 10 Democratic initiatives to create jobs.\r\n\r\n\tOn Labor Day, we renew our commitment to strengthening America's workforce and expanding economic opportunity, said Congresswoman Lee. The number-one issue of America's working families is the creation of jobs and the strengthening of our economy. The need for action by Congress is urgent. There are too many families struggling to get by and too many workers without a regular paycheck.\r\n\r\n\t###\r\n\r\n\tFollow Barbara Lee on Twitter @RepBarbaraLee\r\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-hopeful-that-the-martin-luther-king-jr-national-memorial-inspires-visitors", "Barbara Lee Hopeful that the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Memorial Inspires Visitors", "2011-08-28", "2011", "2011-08", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "08.28.11\n\t\t\t Barbara Lee Hopeful that the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Memorial Inspires Visitors \n\t\t\t\r\n\tContact Kristal DeKleer (202) 225-1882\r\n\r\n\t\"It is my hope that we are emboldened by the words of Dr. King to put our weapons down and pick our people up: The bombs in Vietnam explode at home; they destroy the hopes and possibilities for a decent America. Yet, still today, our war machine is fed while our children go hungry. I hope the Memorial reminds us to end today's wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and Libya and tomorrow's war, too. I hope the Memorial reminds us to reach out to the less fortunate, support those that are struggling and work together to create pathways out of poverty. Now is the time to come together. Now is the time to break the silence.\"\r\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-president-to-help-jobless-workers-and-their-families", "Barbara Lee Calls on President to Help Jobless Workers and Their Families", "2011-08-25", "2011", "2011-08", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "08.25.11\n\t\t\t Barbara Lee Calls on President to Help Jobless Workers and Their Families \n\t\t\t\r\n\tContact Kristal DeKleer (202) 225-1882\r\n\r\n\tWashington, D.C. Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) and Congressman Bobby Scott (D-VA) sent a letter to President Barack Obama urging him to address the needs of jobless workers in his forthcoming jobs plan. The letter urged the President to not only maintain the current extension of unemployment benefits to America's jobless workers, but to also incorporate H.R. 589, The Emergency Unemployment Extension Act. Congresswoman Lee sponsored the bill to extend unemployment benefits by fourteen more weeks for all unemployed workers.\r\n\r\n\tExtending unemployment benefits for an additional fourteen weeks would serve as an immediate resuscitation for people who have reached the end of their 99 weeks of unemployment benefits, said Congresswoman Lee. Not only do jobless workers need assistance for food and shelter month to month, but unemployed workers immediately spend the assistance receive,which stimulates the economy and contributes to job growth.\r\n\r\n\t\"The current Majority in the House has done nothing this year to help the millions of Americans who are chronically unemployed keep their heads above water,and any new jobs program should not leave them behind,\" said Congressman Scott. \"These Americans are desperate for jobs but they need this lifeline now because our economy is simply not growing fast enough. I commend Congresswoman Lee for her tireless efforts supporting these forgotten Americans.\"\r\n\r\n\tFor every job opening, there are currently 4.4 unemployed workers. Of the 13.9 million people out of work, 6.2 million have been unemployed for nearly two years. Including H.R. 589 into a comprehensive and bold jobs plan is critical to providing jobless workers with the temporary assistance to meet basic needs while they focus on getting a job.\r\n\r\n\tAcross the country people want and need jobs, and as we work together to create jobs we must work together to continue to support our nation's jobless workers, Lee continued. Now more than ever, we must fight every effort to shred the safety net. We are in the middle of a jobs crisis and we must do all we can to address this national emergency.\r\n\r\n\t###\r\n\r\n\tFollow Barbara Lee on Twitter@RepBarbaraLee\r\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-8-year-sentence-to-us-detainees-in-iran", "Barbara Lee Condemns 8-year Sentence to U.S. Detainees in Iran", "2011-08-21", "2011", "2011-08", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "08.21.11\n\t\t\t Barbara Lee Condemns 8-year Sentence to U.S. Detainees in Iran  \n\t\t\t\r\n\tFor Immediate Release\r\n\r\n\tContact Kristal DeKleer (202) 225-1882\r\n\r\n\tWashington, D.C.  Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) issued the following statement in response to the Iranian court decision on Saturday sentencing U.C. Berkeley graduates Josh Fattal and Shane Bauer to eight years in prison under charges of espionage:\r\n\r\n\tI am outraged and saddened by the decision yesterday. We must and will continue to do everything we can to support the immediate release of Shane and Josh.\"\r\n\r\n\t\r\n\r\n\t###\r\n\r\n\tFollow Barbara Lee on Twitter @RepBarbaraLee\r\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-administration-decision-to-suspend-deportations-of-law-abiding-immigrants", "Barbara Lee Applauds Administration Decision to Suspend Deportations of Law Abiding Immigrants", "2011-08-19", "2011", "2011-08", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "08.19.11\n\t\t\t Barbara Lee Applauds Administration Decision to Suspend Deportations of Law Abiding Immigrants \n\t\t\t\r\n\tFor Immediate Release\r\n\r\n\t\r\n\r\n\tContact\r\n\r\n\tKristal DeKleer (202) 225-1882\r\n\r\n\t\r\n\r\n\tWashington, D.C.  Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) issued the following statement in response to the Obama Administration's announcement on Thursday that it would suspend deportation proceedings against many undocumented immigrants who pose no threat to national security or public safety:\r\n\r\n\tYesterday, the Obama Administration took an important step toward fixing our broken immigration system.\r\n\r\n\t\"For too long, law abiding immigrants, military families, parents, students and youth have been unfairly targeted for deportation -- barring them from the American Dream.\r\n\r\n\tWe are a nation of immigrants, and comprehensive immigration reform is crucial for the future of our country. I applaud the Administration's decision and look forward to working with the White House and my colleagues in Congress toward comprehensive immigration reform that will honor the contributions that immigrants make to our country.\"\r\n\r\n\t###\r\n\r\n\tFollow Barbara Lee on Twitter @RepBarbaraLee\r\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-comments-on-the-tragic-increase-in-child-poverty-in-america", "Barbara Lee Comments on the Tragic Increase in Child Poverty in America", "2011-08-19", "2011", "2011-08", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "08.19.11\n\t\t\t Barbara Lee Comments on the Tragic Increase in Child Poverty in America  \n\t\t\tFor Immediate Release\r\n\r\nContact \r\nKristal DeKleer (202) 225-1882\r\nWashington, D.C.  Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) released the following statement in response to the KIDS COUNT Data Book released today by the Annie E. Casey Foundation, which offered state-by-state rankings on child well-being in the United States and revealed that the official child poverty rate for the United States increased 18 percent from 2000 to 2009: \r\nThis report confirms what we all have seen in our communities  the irresponsible fiscal policies of the prior administration plunged working families into poverty. There are now almost 15 million children living in poverty in America, an increase of 18 percent since 2000, effectively erasing all of the gains made in cutting child poverty in the late 1990s.\r\nIt is a moral outrage that in the most prosperous country, so many of our children are suffering  and we know that the impact is far worse in communities of color. The morally and economically bankrupt economic policies of the prior administration resulted in a staggering increase in poverty, extreme pressure on the working middle class, and an even wider gap between the rich and poor. The efforts of the Tea Party and House Republicans to dismantle government and shred the safety net will continue to push more working families into poverty.\r\nWe cannot afford more of the policies that sacrificed the most vulnerable while handing out massive tax breaks the super rich, big corporations, and big oil. We need to work to strengthen the programs which support those who are currently living in poverty and focus on creating jobs as a pathway out of poverty.\r\n###\r\nThe KIDS COUNT Data Book with state-by-state rankings and supplemental data can be found at http://datacenter.kidscount.org. \r\nFollow Barbara Lee on Twitter @RepBarbaraLee\r\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-calls-for-renewed-investment-in-the-national-institute-for-minority-health-and-health-disparities", "Congresswoman Lee Calls for Renewed Investment in the National Institute for Minority Health and Health Disparities", "2011-08-19", "2011", "2011-08", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "08.19.11\n\t\t\t Congresswoman Lee Calls for Renewed Investment in the National Institute for Minority Health and Health Disparities \n\t\t\t\r\n\tFor Immediate Release\r\n\r\n\tContact Kristal DeKleer (202) 225-1882\r\n\r\n\tCongressional TriCaucus Members Call for a Renewed Investment in the National Institute for Minority Health and Health Disparities\r\n\r\n\tWashington, D.C. Today, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) released the results of a study entitled, Race, Ethnicity and NIH Research Awards. The study found that despite its current programs to increase the racial and ethnic diversity among its intramural and extramural biomedical and health services research workforce and grantee pool, there are serious and persistent racial and ethnic disparities in the manner in which NIH funding is awarded.\r\n\r\n\tThe findings from this study  which are extremely alarming  raise serious questions about various NIH processes and review panels that should be objective and fair, in both intent and in outcome, noted Congresswoman Donna Christensen, a physician and the Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) Health Braintrust. They also underscore the immediate need for the leadership at NIH to more demonstratively support, expand the authority of and increase funding allocated to the National Institute for Minority Health and Health Disparities (NIMHD) to lead, evaluate, and coordinate racial and ethnic minority and health disparity research and training.\r\n\r\n\tToday's report underscores the need for NIH to act quickly and with determination to strengthen the National Institute for Minority Health and Health Disparities to aggressively address the inequities detailed in this important study, added Congresswoman Barbara Lee, Chair of the HealthCare Task Force for the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus, and member of the House Committee on Appropriations.\r\n\r\n\tThere are a number of preliminary action items that the Congressional TriCaucus, whose members have long championed health disparity elimination as a national priority, will be recommending to Dr. Francis Collins. These recommended steps will address the clear racial and ethnic inequities in the granting of awards and the award process highlighted in the study. The TriCaucus will also suggest ways to utilize NIMHD to strengthen NIH's commitment to health disparities research and to targeted recruiting, mentoring, and training of racial and ethnic minority researchers in all NIH fields.\r\n\r\n\tWe sincerely applaud NIH Director Collins for his leadership in requesting the study and his commitment to fixing this problem,\" added Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard, Chair of the Hispanic Caucus Task on Health. We now have an important benchmark on which to judge NIH's progress in addressing the disparities reflected in this report. The research that comes out of NIH is among the best in the world and we look forward to working with Dr. Collins to ensure that diversity also becomes a cornerstone of NIH's work.\r\n\r\n\t###\r\n\r\n\t\r\n\r\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/the-national-park-service-awards-grant-to-the-oakland-museum-of-california", "The National Park Service Awards Grant to the Oakland Museum of California", "2011-08-11", "2011", "2011-08", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "08.11.11\n\t\t\t The National Park Service Awards Grant to the Oakland Museum of California  \n\t\t\tFor Immediate Release \r\n\r\nContact\r\nKristal DeKleer\r\n(202) 225-1882\r\nWashington, D.C.  Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) issued the following statement today announcing that the National Park Service has awarded a grant totaling $77,842 to the Oakland Museum of California, an institution which brings together collections of art, history and natural science under one roof to tell the extraordinary stories of California and its people:\r\nI am pleased that the NPS recognized the excellent work of the Oakland Museum of California by awarding this meaningful and highly competitive grant which will allow our wonderful local resource to inventory and identify any Native American human remains and cultural items in their collections. This work will allow the museum to collaborate with affiliated Native American tribes, Alaska Native villages and corporations, and Native Hawaiian organizations to determine whether or not the Oakland Museum of California can maintain the items in their collection or return the items to the appropriate tribe or organization.\r\n###\r\nFor more information about the Oakland Museum of California, go to http://museumca.org/. \r\nFollow Barbara Lee on Twitter @RepBarbaraLee\r\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-statement-on-loss-of-american-forces-in-afghanistan", "Barbara Lee Statement on Loss of American Forces in Afghanistan", "2011-08-06", "2011", "2011-08", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "08.06.11\n\t\t\t Barbara Lee Statement on Loss of American Forces in Afghanistan   \n\t\t\t\r\n\t\r\n\r\n\t\r\n\r\n\tFor Immediate Release\r\n\r\n\tContact\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\r\n\r\n\tWashington, D.C.  Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) issued the following statement today on the loss of American forces in Afghanistan:\r\n\r\n\t\"The loss of our American forces today is indeed tragic. My heart and prayers go out to their families and loved ones.\r\n\r\n\tEspecially as the daughter of a veteran, I believe we must always be mindful and grateful of the tremendous service and sacrifice of our troops and their families.\r\n\r\n\t###\r\n\r\n\tFollow Barbara Lee on Twitter@RepBarbaraLee\r\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-barbara-lee-responds-to-downgrade-of-us-credit-rating", "Congresswoman Barbara Lee Responds to Downgrade of U.S. Credit Rating", "2011-08-06", "2011", "2011-08", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "08.06.11\n\t\t\t Congresswoman Barbara Lee Responds to Downgrade of U.S. Credit Rating   \n\t\t\t\r\n\t\r\n\r\n\t\r\n\r\n\tFor Immediate Release\r\n\r\n\t\r\n\r\n\tContact\r\n\r\n\r\n\tWashington, D.C.  Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) released the following statement today in response to Standard & Poor's downgrade of the U.S. credit rating from AAA to AA+:\r\n\r\n\t\"The decision to downgrade our debt is not grounded in economic reality. It is, however, an important indicator of how dangerous the political reality has become in Congress where the Tea Party held our economy hostage in the \"default crisis\" in order to push their extreme agenda.\r\n\r\n\tWe need a balanced approach to deficit reduction that includes revenues and protects our nation's safety net.\"\r\n\r\n\t###\r\n\r\n\tFollow Barbara Lee on Twitter@RepBarbaraLee\r\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-barbara-lee-responds-to-july-jobs-report", "Congresswoman Barbara Lee Responds to July Jobs Report", "2011-08-05", "2011", "2011-08", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "08.05.11\n\t\t\t Congresswoman Barbara Lee Responds to July Jobs Report \n\t\t\t\r\n\tFor Immediate Release\r\n\r\n\tAugust 5, 2011\r\n\r\n\t\r\n\r\n\tContact\r\n\r\n\tRicci Graham, (510) 763-0370\r\n\r\n\t\r\n\r\n\t\r\n\t\tWashington, D.C.  Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) released the following statement today in response to the Department of Labor's monthly job report stating that the national unemployment rate had a slight decrease to 9.1 percent in the month of July:\r\n\t\r\n\t\tWhile I am pleased to see any decrease in the national unemployment rate, there are still 13.9 million people without jobs and 6.2 million of them have been unemployed for longer than 27 weeks. \r\n\t\r\n\t\tWorse, among communities of color, the numbers continue to be well above the national average with African Americans at 15.9 percent and Latinos at 11.3 percent.\r\n\t\r\n\t\tThe Republicans have completely failed to address the true crisis facing our nation: the jobs crisis. While Congress spent time fighting over raising the debt ceiling, millions of Americans were struggling to find their next meal or keep a roof over their head. The Republican leadership should have brought H.R. 589, the Emergency Unemployment Extension Act of 2011, which would provide emergency aid for those who have exhausted their 99 weeks of unemployment benefits to the Floor for a vote. Beyond supporting some of our most vulnerable Americans, this would immediately stimulate our economy by allowing these individuals to use the funds on food, housing, and other goods they need to survive.\r\n\t\r\n\t\tWe have a moral and economic obligation to create jobs and provide the assistance that jobless workers need in order to survive as we try to fix the broken economy. Now that we have finally put the Republican debt-crisis'behind us, we have got to get to the much-needed work of ending the real crisis in this country  the jobs crisis.\r\n\t\r\n\t\t###\r\n\t\r\n\t\tFollow Barbara Lee on Twitter @RepBarbaraLee\r\n\r\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-prevent-spread-of-stis-and-hiv-in-prisons", "Barbara Lee Introduces Bill to Prevent Spread of STIs and HIV in Prisons", "2011-08-04", "2011", "2011-08", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "08.04.11\n\t\t\t Barbara Lee Introduces Bill to Prevent Spread of STIs and HIV in Prisons \n\t\t\t\r\n\tFor Immediate Release\r\n\r\n\t\r\n\r\n\tContact\r\n\r\n\tRicci Graham, (510) 763-0370\r\n\r\n\t\r\n\r\n\tWashington, D.C.  This week, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) introduced H.R. 2704, The Justice for the Unprotected against Sexually Transmitted Infections among the Confined and Exposed (JUSTICE) Act to allow prisons to provide condoms to incarcerated peoples. The JUSTICE Act also calls for automatic reinstatement or reenrollment in Medicaid for people who test positive for HIV before reentering communities. Congresswoman Lee released the following statement:\r\n\r\n\t\r\n\r\n\tAs we mark the 30th anniversary of the first discovery of AIDS cases in the U.S., we can no longer afford to ignore the reality that sexually transmitted infections can be spread within our correctional system. I introduced The JUSTICE Act to provide a comprehensive response to the spread of STIs in correctional facilities.\r\n\r\n\t\r\n\r\n\tAmong confirmed AIDS cases in prisons, minorities account for the majority , with African-Americans 3.5 times more likely than Whites, and 2.5 times more likely than Hispanics to die from AIDS-related causes.\r\n\r\n\t\r\n\r\n\tWithout uniform prevention, testing, and treatment programs, incarcerated persons living with HIV or other STIs can unknowingly infect others.. Often left untreated, incarcerated persons with STIs are frequently in the more advanced stages of their disease, and once released can be even more costly for the public health system to treat.\r\n\r\n\t\r\n\r\n\t###\r\n\r\n\t\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\r\n\r\n\t* * *\r\n\r\n\t\r\n\r\n\tCongresswoman Lee, Founding Co-Chair of the Congressional HIV/AIDS Caucus, has been a leader in the fight against the global AIDS and was a strong advocate for the effort to establish a National HIV/AIDS Strategy in the U.S. As a member of the powerful House of Representatives Committee on Appropriations and a fierce advocate of public health, Congresswoman Lee has worked to increase funding and awareness for HIV/AIDS programs and research. She is the only United States representative on United Nations Development Programme's Global Commission on HIV and the Law and was the original sponsor of legislation that created PEPFAR, the Global Fund, and led to the repeal of the Immigration and Travel ban that barred the entry of HIV positive individuals to the U.S. \r\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-barbara-lee-on-agreement-to-reopen-the-faa", "Congresswoman Barbara Lee on Agreement to Reopen the FAA", "2011-08-04", "2011", "2011-08", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "08.04.11\n\t\t\t Congresswoman Barbara Lee on Agreement to Reopen the FAA \n\t\t\t\r\n\tFor Immediate Release \r\n\r\n\t\r\n\r\n\tContact: Ricci Graham\r\n\r\n\t510-763-0370\r\n\r\n\t\r\n\r\n\tWashington D.C.  Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-09) today issued the following statement on the compromise agreement to temporarily reauthorize the FAA:\r\n\r\n\t\r\n\r\n\tWhile I am pleased that the Democratic leadership took the high road to resolve the impasse and send 74,000 transportation and construction workers back to work, I am deeply concerned with the extremist tactics of the Republicans and their willingness to shut down our critical infrastructure projects. It is unconscionable that Congress placed thousands of Americans workers in limbo during one of the worst recessions in ourhistory.\r\n\r\n\t\r\n\r\n\tIt is my hope that Republican House leadership will begin to negotiate in good faith when we reconvene next month to vote on yet another temporary extension and allow FAA employees and construction workers to continue their critical work maintaining and rebuilding our nation's aviation infrastructure.\r\n\r\n\t\r\n\r\n\t###\r\n\r\n\t\r\n\r\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-barbara-lee-urges-members-in-the-house-and-senate-to-end-shutdown-of-the-faa", "Congresswoman Barbara Lee Urges Members in the House and Senate to End Shutdown of the FAA", "2011-08-03", "2011", "2011-08", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "08.03.11\n\t\t\t Congresswoman Barbara Lee Urges Members in the House and Senate to End Shutdown of the FAA \n\t\t\t\r\n\tFor Immediate Release \r\n\r\n\t\r\n\r\n\tContact: Ricci Graham\r\n\r\n\t510-763-0370\r\n\r\n\t\r\n\r\n\tWashington D.C.  Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-09) today urged members of the House of Representatives and the Senate to take whatever action is necessary to end the partial shutdown of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), even if it means calling a special session that would allow the House and Senate to vote on legislation that would permit furloughed FAA employees to return to work.\r\n\r\n\t\r\n\r\n\tCongresswoman Lee's district has been particularly impacted by the FAA shutdown, as scores of construction workers have been laid off or furloughed. The shutdown has also drawn to a halt the construction of the new traffic control tower at Oakland International Airport that is a key component in the effort to modernize the airport.\r\n\r\n\t\r\n\r\n\tCongresswoman Lee released the following statement concerning the FAA shutdown that has impacted an estimated 4,000 FAA employees and nearly 80,000 construction workers nationwide:\r\n\r\n\t\r\n\r\n\tI am extremely concerned about the impact the FAA shutdown is having both locally and nationally, Congresswoman Lee said. It is unconscionable that Congress failed to pass legislation that would have authorized funding for the FAA before going into recess. As a result, thousands of Americans workers have been either laid off or furloughed during one of the worst recessions in ourhistory.\r\n\r\n\t\r\n\r\n\tIt is my hope that Republican House leadership will relent and call a special session that would allow members to vote on legislation that would restore funding to the FAA and allow FAA employees and construction workers to return to work.\r\n\r\n\t\r\n\r\n\t\r\n\r\n\t###\r\n\r\n\t\r\n\r\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-bring-troops-home-from-iraq-on-time", "Barbara Lee Introduces Bill to Bring Troops Home from Iraq On Time", "2011-08-02", "2011", "2011-08", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "08.02.11\n\t\t\t Barbara Lee Introduces Bill to Bring Troops Home from Iraq On Time \n\t\t\tFor Immediate Release\r\n\r\nContact\r\nRicci Graham, (510) 763-0370\r\nWashington, D.C  Yesterday, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) and 7 Members of Congress introduced H.R. 2757, The Iraq Withdrawal Accountability Act of 2011, to prohibit funding for any extension of the December 31, 2011 deadline to remove all U.S. troops and military contractors from Iraq. Congresswoman Lee released the following statement:\r\nWe cannot allow or afford any extension of the December 31st deadline established by the agreement between the United States and the government of Iraq.\r\nLeaving troops and military contractors in Iraq beyond the end of the year deadline is not in our nation's strategic security interests  an ongoing occupation only contributes to the hostility and destabilizing effects that U.S. military action is having in the region.\r\nThe vast majority of the American public support the current plan to remove all US troops from Iraq by year's end. We need to ensure that our troops come home safely and focus on creating jobs and growing our economy.\r\n###\r\nFollow Barbara Lee on Twitter @RepBarbaraLee\r\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-welcomes-department-of-health-and-human-services-guidelines-to-expand-womens-preventive-services", "Barbara Lee Welcomes Department of Health and Human Services Guidelines to Expand Women's Preventive Services", "2011-08-01", "2011", "2011-08", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "08.01.11\n\t\t\t Barbara Lee Welcomes Department of Health and Human Services Guidelines to Expand Women's Preventive Services \n\t\t\t\r\n\tFor Immediate Release\r\n\r\n\t\r\n\r\n\tContact\r\n\r\n\tRicci Graham, (510) 763-0370\r\n\r\n\tWashington, D.C.  Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) released the following statement in response to the Department of Health and Human Services release of guidelines that expand women's preventive health services:\r\n\r\n\tI applaud today's announcement by the Department of Health and Human Services to expand prevention services for women, including a full range of FDA-approved contraceptive methods and family-planning services.\r\n\r\n\tAs part of the many beneficial services included in the Affordable Care Act, these new guidelines will ensure that women-specific preventive-health services are free for Medicare beneficiaries. Additionally, the guidelines would require new health plans issued on or after August 1, 2012 to cover preventive services at no additional cost to patients.\r\n\r\n\tToday's decision will have a profound impact on the health and well being of millions of women by giving them greater ability to manage their health care. I look forward to working with the Administration and my colleagues in Congress to ensure access to these services are expanded to all women across the country.\r\n\r\n\t###\r\n\r\n\tFollow Barbara Lee on Twitter @RepBarbaraLee\r\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-barbara-lee-opposes-debt-ceiling-deal", "Congresswoman Barbara Lee Opposes Debt Ceiling Deal", "2011-08-01", "2011", "2011-08", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "08.01.11\n\t\t\t Congresswoman Barbara Lee Opposes Debt Ceiling Deal \n\t\t\tFor Immediate Release\r\n\r\nContact\r\nRicci Graham, (510) 763-0370\r\nWashington, D.C.  Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) released the following statement in opposition to the debt ceiling deal released on Sunday night:\r\nOf course, I don't want to see our nation default, but after having reviewed this deal in detail, for a number of reasons, I am simply unable to support it. \r\nFirst, it totally fails to address the urgent and most pressing crisis in the country: the lack of jobs and economic growth. At a time when investments are needed to jump start our economy and put people back to work, I believe this deal and its cuts-only approach is the wrong approach. Clearly, allowing the false link between the debt ceiling and the deficit to gain any credibility was a mistake. And it is an outrage that we stand here today. A clean debt ceiling vote and a reasonable and balanced approach to deficit reduction is what has long been required.\r\nSecond, while I can appreciate that some provisions to limit the impact of the cuts were included, the bill falls short of achieving the balance necessary. The hard reality is that cuts of this size will likely result in massive cuts to vital human needs and safety net programs and will cripple our ability to help our must vulnerable communities, including seniors, the poor, and low income people who are struggling every day to just get by. And it includes no revenues and no guarantee of revenues going forward.\r\nWith over forty five million people living in poverty and the wealth gap at astronomical levels, we must demand that the super rich, big oil and other big corporations that enjoy tax giveaways and loopholes also contribute to deficit reduction.\r\nFinally, it is entirely unacceptable to me that this deal would open the door to cuts in Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid. Enough is enough. We cannot allow the extreme Tea Party Republicans to advance their agenda to dismantle our government by rewarding their extreme tactics with this bad deal. I continue to support the President using the 14th amendment if necessary to raise the debt ceiling.\r\n###\r\nFollow Barbara Lee on Twitter @RepBarbaraLee\r\n\r\n \r\n\t\r\n \r\nClick Here for Video\r\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-barbara-lee-votes-in-favor-of-senator-reids-plan", "Congresswoman Barbara Lee Votes in Favor of Senator Reid's Plan", "2011-07-30", "2011", "2011-07", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "07.30.11\n\t\t\t Congresswoman Barbara Lee Votes in Favor of Senator Reid's Plan \n\t\t\t\r\n\tFor Immediate Release\r\n\r\n\t\r\n\r\n\tContact\r\n\r\n\tRicci Graham, (510) 763-0370\r\n\r\n\t\r\n\r\n\tWashington, D.C.  Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) released the following statement after voting in support of H.R. 2693, Senator Reid's Budget Control Act of 2011:\r\n\r\n\t\r\n\t\tBy unnecessarily and wrongfully linking the raising of our debt ceiling with their extreme Tea Party agenda, the Republicans have brought our country to the brink of default. Their willingness to play politics with our economy is astounding and should be deeply troubling to all.\r\n\t\r\n\t\tWhile I disagree with much of the Reid bill, I voted yes on H.R. 2693 because I believe we must address this Republican-created crisis.  And while it was clear from the outset that the Republicans scheduled this vote merely for political purposes, many Members, myself included, are deeply concerned about the impact large cuts to discretionary spending while protecting the bloated Pentagon budget, and without attention to revenue. The Congress should pass a clean debt ceiling bill and then get to work on reasonably balancing the budget and creating jobs for the American people, which will grow our economy.\r\n\t\r\n\t\tWe cannot and will not be held hostage by the Republican right wing agenda to dismantle the middle class and shred the safety net for the poor and most vulnerable while protecting big banks, big oil and big corporations that send our jobs overseas.\r\n\t\r\n\t\tGiven the increasing concerns that a legitimate bipartisan compromise to raise our debt ceiling can be crafted in 48 hours, today I joined many of my colleagues in expressing our support for the President using the 14th amendment power in this time of national emergency to raise our nation's debt ceiling if necessary.\r\n\t\r\n\t\t###\r\n\t\r\n\t\tFollow Barbara Lee on Twitter @RepBarbaraLee\r\n\r\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-no-on-boehner-plan", "Barbara Lee Votes No on \"Boehner Plan\"", "2011-07-29", "2011", "2011-07", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "07.29.11\n\t\t\t Barbara Lee Votes No on \"Boehner Plan\" \n\t\t\t\r\n\tFor Immediate Release\r\n\r\n\t\r\n\r\n\tContact: \r\n\r\n\tRicci Graham, (510) 763-0370\r\n\r\n\t\r\n\r\n\tBarbara Lee Votes No on Boehner Plan\r\n\r\n\t\r\n\r\n\tWashington, D.C  Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) joined 178 Democrats and 22 Republicans in opposing Speaker John Boehner's plan to raise the debt ceiling while cutting $1.6 trillion in spending and calling for an additional debt ceiling vote in six months. The Boehner Plan passed the House of Representatives by a narrow margin of 218-210. Congresswoman Lee released the following statement:\r\n\r\n\t\r\n\r\n\tIt is shameful that the Republican Party continues its drive to plunge our nation into default and our economy over the brink. And the bill that Speaker Boehner has unveiled today does exactly just that. Trying to balance the budget on the backs of the poor is morally wrong and economically bankrupt.\r\n\r\n\t\r\n\r\n\tWe should not be wasting the American people's time and pushing our economy to the brink of a catastrophic crisis with legislation that we know is going nowhere. The Republicans need to stop holding our economy hostage and stop playing political games - we need a clean debt ceiling vote so that we can do the real work of creating jobs, protecting our most vulnerable, and growing our economy.\r\n\r\n\t\r\n\r\n\t###\r\n\r\n\t\r\n\r\n\r\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-barbara-lee-supports-president-invoking-14th-amendment-if-necessary", "Congresswoman Barbara Lee Supports President Invoking 14th Amendment if Necessary", "2011-07-28", "2011", "2011-07", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "07.28.11\n\t\t\t Congresswoman Barbara Lee Supports President Invoking 14th Amendment if Necessary \n\t\t\t\r\n\tFor Immediate Release\r\n\r\n\t\r\n\r\n\tContact: \r\n\r\n\tRicci Graham, (510) 763-0370\r\n\r\n\tWashington, D.C.  Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) spoke out against the House GOP's Boehner Plan and encouraged a vote on clean debt-ceiling legislation. Congresswoman Lee also endorsed the President using his executive power and invoking the 14th Amendment to raise the debt ceiling if necessary. Congresswoman Lee released the following statement:\r\n\r\n\tInstead of working to improve the lives of the millions of Americans in poverty, the Republican party continues their drive to plunge our nation into default and our economy over the brink.\r\n\r\n\tSpeaker Boehner has unveiled yet another Republican plan that fails to do what America needs. His plan fails to end the threat of default. His plan targets the programsthat protect America's most vulnerable  our seniors, our children and our low-income families - for more draconian cuts. It is misguided, and it is morally wrong.\r\n\r\n\tWe have run out oftimefor these Republican politicalgames. The Republicans need to do what's right for our economy and our future and stop holding our economy hostage to protect millionaires and special interests. They need to pass a clean debt ceiling bill.\r\n\r\n\tThe American economy cannot afford to default. I fully support the President acting to prevent default by invoking the 14th amendment to raise the debt ceiling if it is necessary to prevent an economic disaster.\r\n\r\n\t### \r\n \r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\t\r\n \r\n\r\n\tFollow Barbara Lee on Twitter @RepBarbaraLee\r\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-92-members-of-congress-call-for-return-of-us-troops-and-military-contractors-from-iraq-by-december-31-2011", "Barbara Lee, 92 Members of Congress Call for Return of U.S. Troops and Military Contractors from Iraq by December 31, 2011", "2011-07-27", "2011", "2011-07", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "07.27.11\n\t\t\t Barbara Lee, 92 Members of Congress Call for Return of U.S. Troops and Military Contractors from Iraq by December 31, 2011 \n\t\t\t\r\n\tFor Immediate Release\r\n\r\n\t\r\n\r\n\tContact: \r\n\r\n\tRicci Graham, (510) 763-0370\r\n\r\n\t\r\n\r\n\tWashington, DC Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) released the following statement after sending a letter to President Barack Obama, along with 88 Democrats and 4 Republicans calling for compliance with the Status of Forces Agreement with Iraq and a full withdrawal by December 31, 2011:\r\n\r\n\t\r\n\r\n\tI am pleased that so many of my colleagues from both sides of the aisle joined me in sending a clear message that we must keep our commitment to ending the dangerous and misguided military occupation in Iraq this year.\r\n\r\n\t\r\n\r\n\tIt has been over eight years since President Bush launched the disastrous war in Iraq. NowPresident Obama has the opportunity to finally end the war by adhering to the Status of Forces Agreement with Iraq which requires all 47,000 U.S. troops remaining in Iraq to depart before December 31, 2011.\r\n\r\n\t\r\n\r\n\tThe American people are sick and tired of endless wars, and widely support the current plan to end our involvement in Iraq. It is past time that we bring this war to an end.\r\n\r\n\t\r\n\r\n\tThe text of the letter can be found below.\r\n\r\n\t\r\n\r\n\t***\r\n\r\n\t\r\n\r\n\tJuly 27, 2011\r\n\r\n\tThe Honorable Barack Obama\r\n\r\n\tPresident of the United States\r\n\r\n\tThe White House\r\n\r\n\t1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.\r\n\r\n\tWashington, D.C. 20500\r\n\r\n\t\r\n\r\n\tDear Mr. President:\r\n\r\n\t\r\n\r\n\tWe are writing to urge you to hold to our nation's Status of Forces Agreement with the government of Iraq that commits our nation to bringing all of our troops and military contractors home at the end of this calendar year.\r\n\r\n\t\r\n\r\n\tThe American people have made it clear that the war in Iraq must end. By wide and overwhelming margins, Americans approve of your plan to remove all the troops from Iraq by the end of this year.\r\n\r\n\t\r\n\r\n\tWe are deeply concerned to learn that your Administration is considering plans to keep potentially thousands of U.S. troops in Iraq beyond the end of this year. Extending our presence in Iraq is counterproductive - the Iraqi people do not support our continued occupation.\r\n\r\n\tRemaining in Iraq would only further strengthen the perception that we are an occupying force with no intention of leaving Iraq.\r\n\r\n\t\r\n\r\n\tLeaving troops and military contractors in Iraq beyond the deadline is not in our nation's security interests, it is not in our nation's strategic interests, and it is not in our nation's economic interests.\r\n\r\n\t\r\n\r\n\tMr. President, we look forward to working with you in maintaining our nation's Status of Forces Agreement with the government of Iraq and bringing all of our troops and military contractors home at the end of this year.\r\n\r\n\tSincerely,\r\n\r\n\t\r\n\r\n\tBarbara Lee\r\n\r\n\tMember of Congress\r\n\r\n\t\r\n\r\n\tWalter B. Jones\r\n\r\n\tMember of Congress\r\n\r\n\t###\r\n\r\n\t\r\n\r\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-congressional-out-of-poverty-caucus-hold-press-conference-on-impact-of-cuts-to-vital-human-needs-programs", "Barbara Lee, Congressional Out of Poverty Caucus Hold Press Conference on Impact of Cuts to Vital Human Needs Programs", "2011-07-27", "2011", "2011-07", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "07.27.11\n\t\t\t Barbara Lee, Congressional Out of Poverty Caucus Hold Press Conference on Impact of Cuts to Vital Human Needs Programs \n\t\t\tFor Immediate Release\r\n\r\nContact: \r\nRicci Graham, (510) 763-0370\r\nWashington, D.C.  Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA), Founding Co-Chair of the Congressional Out of Poverty Caucus (COPC), members of the COPC, and representatives from national anti-poverty organizations held a press conference on the impact of debt reduction plans on vital human needs programs for low income and poor communities. Congresswoman Lee highlighted the importance of preserving safety net programs, discussed the latest report on the growing wealth gap between white and minority communities, and encouraged House leadership to extend unemployment benefits for those who have exhausted their 99 weeks by bringing her legislation, H.R. 589, to the floor for a vote. The following are excerpts from Congresswoman Lee's statement:\r\nWe are gathered here today to talk about the urgent necessity of protecting vital human needs programs from the Speaker's bill which is just another version of the extreme Republican agenda of cut, cap, and balance  that is, balancing the budget on the backs of the poor. This measure will decimate the vital safety net programs on which Americans living in poverty depend on for their survival.\r\nThe Co-Chairs of the Congressional Out of Poverty Caucus saw the writing on the wall earlier this summer and sent a letter to the President, the Vice President, and to Congressional leadership calling for them to protect vital human needs programs like Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security that serve our most vulnerable from this Republican attack.\r\nThis press conference is a reminder that we are not going to stop demanding that these programs be protected as deals are cut behind closed doors and bills are voted on. We are the voice for the voiceless and we are here today to speak out on this issue.\r\nAmericans are falling by the wayside, and that simply cannot continue  we have a moral obligation to care for our own.\r\nOrganizations in attendance: Half in Ten Campaign, Coalition on Human Needs, Center for Economic and Policy Research, Sojourners, Bread for the World, Service Employees International Union (SEIU), D.C. LEARNs, Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities Coalition, Community Action Partnership, AIDS United, YWCA, National Low Income Housing Coalition, National Association for State Community Services Programs, Food Research and Action Center, Main Street Alliance\r\n###\r\nFollow Barbara Lee on Twitter @RepBarbaraLee\r\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/the-national-endowment-for-the-humanities-awards-grants-supporting-educational-projects-in-the-9th-congressional-district", "The National Endowment for the Humanities Awards Grants Supporting Educational Projects in the 9th Congressional District", "2011-07-27", "2011", "2011-07", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "07.27.11\n\t\t\t The National Endowment for the Humanities Awards Grants Supporting Educational Projects in the 9th Congressional District \n\t\t\t\r\n\tFor Immediate Release\r\n\r\n\t\r\n\r\n\tContact: Ricci Graham\r\n\r\n\t510-763-0370\r\n\r\n\t\r\n\r\n\tWashington D.C.  Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) released the following statement today announcing that the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) has awarded three grants totaling $273,302 to support projects in the 9thCongressional District that exemplify extraordinary standards in educational research:\r\n\r\n\t\r\n\r\n\tThese grants are extremely competitive and are awarded to groups that are engaged in educational projects that meet NEH's exceptionally high standards. I couldn't be more pleased that these groups have been awarded the grants that will allow them to pursue their important projects.\r\n\r\n\t\r\n\r\n\tThe Oakland-based Friends of Peralta Hacienda Historic Park was awarded a $175,302 grant to support its project, titled: Spanish, Mexican, and American California: Reframing U.S. History at the Peralta Hacienda. \r\n\r\n\t\r\n\r\n\tThe Mangalam Research Center for Buddhist Languages in Berkeley received a $25,000 digital start-up grant for its Buddhist Translators Workbench project, and the Katahdin Foundation, also located in Berkeley, was awarded a $75,000 grant for its Geographies of Kinship: The Korean Adoption Story project.\r\n\r\n\t\r\n\r\n\t###\r\n\r\n\t\r\n\r\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-rise-in-wealth-gap-among-whites-african-americans-and-latinos", "Barbara Lee Responds to Rise in Wealth Gap Among Whites, African Americans and Latinos", "2011-07-26", "2011", "2011-07", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "07.26.11\n\t\t\t Barbara Lee Responds to Rise in Wealth Gap Among Whites, African Americans and Latinos \n\t\t\t\r\n\tFor Immediate Release\r\n\r\n\t\r\n\r\n\tContact\r\n\r\n\tRicci Graham, (510) 763-0370\r\n\r\n\tWashington, D.C.  Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) released the following statement in response to the Pew Research Center Report entitled Wealth Gaps Rise to Record Highs Between Whites, Blacks, and Hispanics: Twenty-to-One' released today:\r\n\r\n\tThe Pew Research Center's report shows the drastic impact that the economic downturn has had on minority communities, pushing the wealth gap to record high numbers.\r\n\r\n\tUnfortunately, the statistics speak for themselves  the median wealth of white households is 20 times that of Black households and 18 times that of Hispanic households.\r\n\r\n\tThis recession' has been nothing short of a depression for communities of color with disproportionate loss of wealth, housing, increased unemployment and poverty rates that are on the rise.\r\n\r\n\tIt is time that we recognize that race is a factor in these growing economic inequalities and we can no longer afford to sweep this issue under the rug. We must put targeted policies in place that will invest in Black and Latino communities; that is the only way that we will ever close the ever-widening gap.\r\n\r\n\t# # #\r\n\r\n\tFollow Barbara Lee on Twitter @RepBarbaraLee\r\n\r\n\tClick Here for the Full Report\r\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-fights-to-preserve-environmental-quality-opposes-fy12-interior-appropriations-bill", "Barbara Lee Fights to Preserve Environmental Quality, Opposes FY12 Interior Appropriations Bill", "2011-07-25", "2011", "2011-07", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "07.25.11\n\t\t\t Barbara Lee Fights to Preserve Environmental Quality, Opposes FY12 Interior Appropriations Bill  \n\t\t\t\r\n\tFor Immediate Release\r\n\r\n\t\r\n\r\n\tContact\r\n\r\n\tRicci Graham, (510) 763-0370\r\n\r\n\t\r\n\r\n\tWashington, D.C.  Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) joined her colleagues in the Congressional Progressive Caucus and the Sustainable Energy & Environment Coalition to speak out against the FY 2012 Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies appropriations bill, H.R. 2485,and stall its consideration on the House Floor. Congresswoman Lee released the following statement:\r\n\r\n\t\r\n\r\n\tH.R. 2485 destroys critical environmental standards established to protect the public's health and is nothing more than a vehicle for bigger profits to big oil and special-interest polluters. By attaching more than 40 extremely dangerous policy riders, the Republicans take direct aim on the water we drink, the air we breathe, and the environment we live in.\r\n\r\n\t\r\n\r\n\tAs the proud Representative of California's Ninth Congressional District, which has long been at the forefront of the environmental movement  working on the critical issue of climate change, fighting for renewable energy, green jobs, and environmental justice  I urged defeat of this horribly destructive bill.\r\n\r\n\t\r\n\r\n\tAs a person of faith, I believe that there is a moral and an ethical responsibility to protect the natural resources provided by our creator. I will continue to fight to ensure that our government takes the steps to responsibly deal with the issues that affect our environmental quality.\r\n\r\n\t\r\n\r\n\t###\r\n\r\n\tFollow Barbara Lee on Twitter @RepBarbaraLee\r\n \r\n\t\r\n \r\n\r\n\tClick Here for Video\r\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-barbara-lee-responds-to-oslo-bombing-in-norway", "Congresswoman Barbara Lee Responds to Oslo Bombing in Norway", "2011-07-25", "2011", "2011-07", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "07.25.11\n\t\t\t Congresswoman Barbara Lee Responds to Oslo Bombing in Norway \n\t\t\tFor Immediate Release\r\n\r\nContact\r\nRicci Graham, (510) 763-0370\r\n\r\nWashington, D.C.  Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) released the following statement in response to the Oslo bombing in Norway that left dozens of people dead on Friday, July 22, 2011: \r\n\r\nI join my colleagues and people of our nation in condemning the heinous acts of violence in Norway. My thoughts and prayers remain with the people of Norway, and especially the family and loved ones of the victims in the wake of these horrific attacks.\r\n\r\n###\r\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-200-days-of-republican-control-in-the-house-calls-for-job-creation", "Barbara Lee Responds to 200 Days of Republican Control in the House, Calls for Job Creation", "2011-07-22", "2011", "2011-07", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "07.22.11\n\t\t\t Barbara Lee Responds to 200 Days of Republican Control in the House, Calls for Job Creation \n\t\t\tFor Immediate Release\r\n\r\nContact\r\nRicci Graham, (510) 763-0370\r\nWashington, D.C.  Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) released the following statement regarding the ongoing deficit negotiations and the Republicans' record on job creation:\r\nTomorrow marks 200 days of a Republican controlled House without a single jobs bill coming up for a vote.\r\nRepublicans' willingness to bring our economy to the brink of disaster is a frightening sign of just how dangerous their you are on your own' agenda has become. \r\nThe current, so-called debt crisis' has been completely manufactured by House Republicans attempting to advance an extremist agenda. This should be a simple vote to allow the US Treasury to fund all of the programs and obligations of the entire federal government that are already in the law. \r\nInstead, Republicans are holding the future of our entire nation hostage in order to protect tax cuts for the super rich and tax loopholes for special interests. They are already hurting American families by causing real uncertainty about our nation's ability to pay our bills. \r\nEnough is enough. We should immediately pass a clean bill to raise the debt ceilingsothat we can get to work on the real crisis in this country: the jobs crisis.\r\nAnd as the first order of business, I call on the Speaker, once again, to bring my legislation H.R. 589, which wouldextend vital unemployment insurance for the long-term unemployed, to the floor for an up or down vote.\r\nWe must work together to move our country forward and allow our economy to grow again.\r\n###\r\nFollow Barbara Lee on Twitter @RepBarbaraLee\r\n\r\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-congressional-out-of-poverty-caucus-speak-out-against-cuts-to-vital-human-needs-programs", "Barbara Lee, Congressional Out of Poverty Caucus Speak Out Against Cuts to Vital Human Needs Programs", "2011-07-21", "2011", "2011-07", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "07.21.11\n\t\t\t Barbara Lee, Congressional Out of Poverty Caucus Speak Out Against Cuts to Vital Human Needs Programs \n\t\t\tFor Immediate Release\r\n\r\nContact\r\nRicci Graham, (510) 763-0370\r\nWashington, D.C.  Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA), Founding Co-Chair of the Congressional Out of Poverty Caucus (COPC), Democratic Whip Steny Hoyer, and eight Members of the COPC spoke on the impact of debt reduction plans on vital human needs programs for low income communities. Congresswoman Lee highlighted the importance of preserving Medicaid, Medicare, and Social Security as well as the need to pass H.R. 589 to extend unemployment benefits for those who have exhausted their eligibility. The following are excerpts of Congresswoman Lee's statement:\r\nMy colleagues and I are here on the floor to remind every Member that it was not American families, or the working poor, or sick or hungry children that forced Congress to run a deficit. And it was definitely not America's seniors on Social Security or Medicare or people on Medicaid that forced Republicans to turn the first budget surplus in decades into record deficits.\r\nThe American people are willing to work hard and pay their fair share, but they should not be asked to fill a hole that they did not dig.\r\nThe Republicans need to do more to help struggling Americans, not cut the vital programs that help them survive day in and day out.\r\nAs we move our nation forward, addressing its fiscal challenges, we cannot balance the budget on the backs the most vulnerable. We must protect vital safety net programs that help those facing or living in poverty survive and provide them with pathways out of poverty.\r\n###\r\nFollow Barbara Lee on Twitter @RepBarbaraLee\r\n \r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n \r\nClick Here for Video\r\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-barbara-lee-welcomes-secretary-of-labor-hilda-solis-to-the-9th-congressional-district", "Congresswoman Barbara Lee Welcomes Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis to the 9th Congressional District", "2011-07-21", "2011", "2011-07", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "07.21.11\n\t\t\t Congresswoman Barbara Lee Welcomes Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis to the 9th Congressional District \n\t\t\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\tFor Immediate Release\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\tContact: Ricci Graham\r\n\t\t(510) 763-0370\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\r\n\r\n\tWashington, D.C.  Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) is pleased to announce that U.S. Department of Labor Secretary Hilda Solis will attend two events in the 9th Congressional District on Friday, July 22, 2011.\r\n\r\n\t\r\n\r\n\tSecretary Solis is scheduled to provide opening remarks during the plenary session for the Pacific American Labor Alliance's Biennial Conference Generations United: Our Jobs, Our Rights and Our Future taking place at the Oakland Marriott at 10 a.m. Solis will then tour the Jamba Juice headquarters in Emeryville to discuss a joint initiative between the company and the Department of Labor to provide job opportunities for youth through its company.\r\n\r\n\t\r\n\r\n\tI am extremely pleased that Secretary Solis will be visiting sites, delivering remarks, and participating in vital discussions in my district, said Congresswoman Lee. Not only is Secretary Solis a long-time friend and colleague from our time in the California Legislature and Congress, but we both have a shared vision for creating high-quality, sustainable jobs for all and making sure our most vulnerable communities are not left behind.\r\n\r\n\t\r\n\r\n\tThe details of Secretary Solis' stops in the 9th Congressional District are as follows:\r\n\r\n\t\r\n\r\n\tWhat: Remarks for the Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance (APALA) Biennial Conference\r\n\r\n\tWhen: Friday, July 22, 2011 at 10:00 a.m.\r\n\r\n\tWhere: Oakland Marriott City Center located at 1001 Broadway\r\n\r\n\tOakland, CA\r\n\r\n\t\r\n\r\n\tWhat: Tour and Roundtable Discussion at Jamba Juice headquarters\r\n\r\n\tWhen: Friday, July 22, 2011 at 11:00 a.m.\r\n\r\n\tWhere: 6475 Christie Ave.\r\n\r\n\tEmeryville, CA\r\n\r\n\t\r\n\r\n\t###\r\n\r\n\t\r\n\r\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-barbara-lee-opposes-republican-cut-cap-and-balance-proposal", "Congresswoman Barbara Lee Opposes Republican \"Cut, Cap, and Balance\" Proposal", "2011-07-19", "2011", "2011-07", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "07.19.11\n\t\t\t Congresswoman Barbara Lee Opposes Republican \"Cut, Cap, and Balance\" Proposal \n\t\t\tFor Immediate Release\r\n\r\nContact\r\nRicci Graham, (510) 763-0370\r\nWashington, DC  Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) spoke in opposition to the Republican Cut, Cap, and Balance Proposal that would cap spending at Ryan Budget levels, end the Medicare guarantee, extend tax breaks to special interest, and mandate the passage of a balanced budget constitutional amendment. The following is a transcript of her statement:\r\nI rise in strong opposition to what has appropriately been labeled the Duck, Dodge and Dismantle Budget Bill'.\r\nRepublicans duck making the hard choices by requiring us to actually amend our Constitution before we can act to avoid default. The end result: America fails to pay its bills on time.\r\nThe Republicans dodge facing the real challenge by continuing tax breaks for the super wealthy and big oil, funding two wars, and other republican interests.\r\nAnd the Republicans want to dismantle our nation's economic security for seniors, the disabled, and the poor by cutting Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security. Making heartless cuts on the backs of the most vulnerable will not balance the budget and it is morally wrong.\r\nNow, with only 14 days left, Republicans are pushing for legislation that will guarantee a default and will kill hundreds of thousands of jobs.\r\nThis Duck, Dodge, and Dismantle Bill' would end the social safety net, kill jobs, and set our nation back rather than move it forward.\r\nI urge my colleagues to oppose this job-killing bill that would be written in stone in our Constitution and turn the American dream into a nightmare for millions.\r\n###\r\nFollow Barbara Lee on Twitter @RepBarbaraLee\r\nClick Here for Video\r\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-anti-immigrant-legislation", "Barbara Lee Speaks Out Against Anti-Immigrant Legislation", "2011-07-14", "2011", "2011-07", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "07.14.11\n\t\t\t Barbara Lee Speaks Out Against Anti-Immigrant Legislation \n\t\t\tFor Immediate Release\r\n\r\nContact\r\nRicci Graham, (510) 763-0370\r\nWashington, D.C.  Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) joined Congressman Luis Gutierrez (D-IL) and other Members of Congress to speak out against Representative Lamar Smith's (R-TX) anti-immigrant legislation, the HALT Act. Rep. Smith, head of the House Judiciary Committee, introduced abill on Tuesday to suspend the executive branch's ability to use discretion in immigration cases that would expire after the President's current term ends. Congresswoman Lee released the following statement:\r\nThe legislation that Mr. Smith introduced does nothing to reform our immigration system and is designed only to derail the progress made by the President and this country on this critical issue.\r\nIt is shameful that immigrants, including promising young students who could have afforded college under the DREAM Act, are being threatened by this Republican ploy. \r\nI stand on the side of law-abiding immigrants, parents separated from their children, military families, and other immigrants who should not be a priority for deportation.\r\nWe are a nation of immigrants, and comprehensive immigration reform is crucial for the future of our country. We cannot and will not be distracted by this blatantly partisan move.\"\r\nFollow Barbara Lee on Twitter@RepBarbaraLee \r\n###\r\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-barbara-lee-fights-for-cops-funding", "Congresswoman Barbara Lee Fights For COPS Funding", "2011-07-14", "2011", "2011-07", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "07.14.11\n\t\t\t Congresswoman Barbara Lee Fights For COPS Funding \n\t\t\t\r\n\tFor Immediate Release\r\n\r\n\tContact  \r\n\tRicci Graham, (510) 763-0370\r\n\r\n\tWashington, D.C.  Yesterday, Congresswoman Barbara Lee joined her fellow Democratic colleagues on the House Committee on Appropriations in fighting against the Republican termination of COPS programs and other vital programs in the Fiscal Year 2012Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies bill. The COPS programs provide funding to hire police officers and support community policing efforts across the country. Several amendments were offered to fund the COPS program including two to get $20-$35 million dollars for the program and one to nearly fully fund all the COPS programs. Congresswoman Lee released the following statement:\r\n\r\n\tAs state and local law enforcement work to keep communities safe on increasingly shrinking budgets, the Congress must work to provide communities with the assistance they need. The COPS program is active in almost every district across the country- in Democratic and Republican districts alike. The safety of our communities should not be jeopardized in order to protect tax cuts for millionaires and big oil companies. \r\n\r\n\tWhile it is irresponsible to terminate vital programs like COPS which result in even more people joining the ranks of the unemployed, I am committed to work with Chairman Wolf and Ranking Member Fattah to preserve the COPS program and ensure the safety of all our communities.\r\n\r\n\t###\r\n\r\n\t\r\n\r\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-marks-one-year-anniversary-of-national-hiv/aids-strategy-hosts-briefing-with-national-leaders", "Barbara Lee Marks One Year Anniversary of National HIV/AIDS Strategy, Hosts Briefing with National Leaders", "2011-07-13", "2011", "2011-07", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "07.13.11\n\t\t\t Barbara Lee Marks One Year Anniversary of National HIV/AIDS Strategy, Hosts Briefing with National Leaders \n\t\t\t\r\n\tFor Immediate Release\r\n\r\n\t\r\n\r\n\tContact\r\n\r\n\tRicci Graham, (510) 763-0370\r\n\r\n\tWashington, D.C.  Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) hosted a briefing for Members of Congress with Jeff Crowley, Director of the White House Office of National AIDS Policy, and Department of Health and Human Services Officials on the one-year anniversary of the National HIV/AIDS Strategy. Congresswoman Lee released the following statement:\r\n\r\n\tToday marks a very important occasion because one year ago President Obama announced the National HIV/AIDS Strategy, answering our call for a domestic PEPFAR strategy' with clear goals and a timeline to, once and for all, end the domestic HIV epidemic.\r\n\r\n\tWorking closely with the White House and my colleagues in Congress to develop a comprehensive, domestic effort, I am pleased to see the strategy is becoming an effective vehicle to improve the national response to an epidemic that continues to devastate communities across the country.\r\n\r\n\tThough we still have a ways to go to ensure we reach all communities affected by the epidemic, I look forward to working with my colleagues toward achieving the goals of the National HIV/AIDS Strategy.\r\n\r\n\t***\r\n\r\n\tCongresswoman Lee has been a leader in the fight against the global HIV/AIDS pandemic. She co-authored legislation signed into law creating the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB and Malaria in 2000, the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) in 2003, the PEPFAR Reauthorization Act in 2008, and in 2005 legislation addressing the needs of orphans and vulnerable children affected by HIV/AIDS. She has also been a leader in the effort to establish a NationalAIDS Strategy, and is a member ofthe Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health, Human Services & Educationwith jurisdiction over all domesticHIV/AIDS funding. She is the only United States representative on United Nations Development Programme's Global Commission on HIV and the Law and was the original sponsor of legislation that lead to the repeal of the Immigration and Travel ban that barred the entry of HIV positive individuals. The repeal allowed the International AIDS conference - scheduled for July 2012 in Washington DC -to be held in the U.S. after 20 years. \r\n\r\n\tFollow Barbara Lee on Twitter @RepBarbaraLee\r\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-us-federal-appeals-court-decision-against-limiting-international-hiv/aids-policy", "Barbara Lee Applauds U.S. Federal Appeals Court Decision Against Limiting International HIV/AIDS Policy", "2011-07-12", "2011", "2011-07", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "07.12.11\n\t\t\t Barbara Lee Applauds U.S. Federal Appeals Court Decision Against Limiting International HIV/AIDS Policy \n\t\t\t\r\n\tFor Immediate Release\r\n\r\n\t\r\n\r\n\tContact\r\n\r\n\tRicci Graham, (510) 763-0370\r\n\r\n\tWashington, D.C. Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) released the following statement after a federal appeals court ruled last week that the United States government cannot require U.S.-funded foreign assistance organizations that provide HIV/AIDS services globally to deny services to sex workers:\r\n\r\n\tAs a long time advocate against the anti-prostitution pledge', I welcome the federal appeals court ruling against the Bush Administration's policy that requires organizations receiving U.S. funds to fight HIV/AIDS globally to oppose prostitution.\r\n\r\n\tFor years now, I have pushed for the repeal of this policy because it impedes the global AIDS response by weakening HIV prevention efforts among sex workers and exacerbating stigma and discrimination against already marginalized groups.\r\n\r\n\tFor too long, this policy tied the hands of international health service organizations from providing evidence-based services to an at-risk group that cannot afford to be ignored in the global fight against HIV/AIDS.\r\n\r\n\tIn order for us to put an end to the global HIV/AIDS epidemic, we need every tool in our toolbox to reach all affected populations. I call on the President to stop the enforcement of the anti-prostitution pledge' and look forward to the Administration's continued work to end the global HIV crisis.\r\n\r\n\t***\r\n\r\n\tCongresswoman Lee has been a leader in the fight against the global HIV/AIDS pandemic. She co-authored legislation signed into law creating the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB and Malaria in 2000, the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) in 2003, the PEPFAR Reauthorization Act in 2008, and in 2005 legislation addressing the needs of orphans and vulnerable children affected by HIV/AIDS. She has also been a leader in the effort to establish a NationalAIDS Strategy, and is a member ofthe Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health, Human Services & Educationwith jurisdiction over all domesticHIV/AIDS funding. She is the only United States representative on United Nations Development Programme's Global Commission on HIV and the Law and was the original sponsor of legislation that lead to the repeal of the Immigration and Travel ban that barred the entry of HIV positive individuals. The repeal allowed the International AIDS conference - scheduled for July 2012 in Washington DC -to be held in the U.S. after 20 years. \r\n\r\n\t###\r\n\r\n\tFollow Barbara Lee on Twitter @RepBarbaraLee\r\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-barbara-lee-honors-southern-sudan-independence-congratulates-worlds-newest-nation", "Congresswoman Barbara Lee Honors Southern Sudan Independence, Congratulates World's Newest Nation", "2011-07-11", "2011", "2011-07", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "07.11.11\n\t\t\t Congresswoman Barbara Lee Honors Southern Sudan Independence, Congratulates World's Newest Nation \n\t\t\tFor Immediate Release\r\n\r\nContact:\r\nRicci Graham, (510) 763-0370\r\n\r\nWashington, D.C.  Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) released the following statement honoring the Declaration of Independence of the Republic of South Sudan on July 9, 2011:\r\n\r\n\tThe official declaration of independence for Southern Sudan marks a historical and critical moment for its people who have worked tirelessly and with due diligence to ensure a peaceful transition to independence. The people of Southern Sudan have voted for the right of self determination as called for by the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) and have brought about the real possibility of democratic transformation in South Sudan.\r\n\tAs Nelson Mandela reflected years ago upon the end of apartheid in South Africa, I have discovered the secret that after climbing a great hill, one only finds that there are many more hills to climb.' While we celebrate this momentous occasion we must also recognize that there remains much more work to be done in order to ensure democratic peace and stability between north and south Sudan. The ongoing conflict in South Kordofan, the unresolved region of Abyei, the use of ports for oil exports, and the official agreement on border demarcation are just a few of the significant challenges that require full commitment on both sides in order to normalize relations.\r\n\tLong-term peace and stability between the two neighboring countries must be ensured. With the continued leadership from the Obama Administration and our U.S. special envoy helping lead negotiations, wewill continue to lend our support and guidance to help build economic development, peacekeeping operations, military training, and overall capacity building efforts in South Sudan.\r\n\tToSouthern Sudan's first President, Salva Kiir Mayardit, we congratulate you on this exciting and important day and are confident in your efforts to lead South Sudan to economic and democratic stability. We commend you for your stalwart efforts and encourage you in further peaceful negotiations as you work towards building a strong and stable government.\r\n\tThe people of Southern Sudan have spoken loud and clear and their declaration for independence is to be commended and celebrated. Today will go down in history as the dawn of a new African nation, and therefore, I salute the people and the country of Southern Sudan on this memorable and magnificent occasion.\r\n\t###\r\n\tFollow Barbara Lee on Twitter @RepBarbaraLee\r\n\r\n\r\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-defense-appropriations-bill-calls-for-cuts-to-bloated-pentagon-budget-and-swift-withdrawal-from-afghanistan-iraq", "Barbara Lee Votes Against Defense Appropriations Bill, Calls for Cuts to Bloated Pentagon Budget and Swift Withdrawal from Afghanistan, Iraq", "2011-07-08", "2011", "2011-07", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "07.08.11\n\t\t\t Barbara Lee Votes Against Defense Appropriations Bill, Calls for Cuts to Bloated Pentagon Budget and Swift Withdrawal from Afghanistan, Iraq \n\t\t\t\r\n\tFor Immediate Release\r\n\r\n\tContact  \r\n\tRicci Graham, (510) 763-0370\r\n\r\n\tLee Opposes Defense Appropriations Bill That Continues Unchecked Spending During Economic Recovery\r\n\r\n\tWashington, D.C. Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) was one of 87 Members of Congress who voted to oppose the Fiscal Year 2012 Defense Appropriations bill. Congresswoman Lee introduced several amendments to the Defense Appropriations bill to cut and audit the bloated Pentagon budget and bring our troops home swiftly and safely.\r\n\r\n\tThrough her bipartisan work with Congressman Walter Jones (R-NC), Congresswoman Lee forced a floor vote on the Lee amendment for a fully funded withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan. The bipartisan amendment garnered 97 supporters, including 10 Republicans.\r\n\r\n\tWe are fighting in a war with no military solution and with no end in sight. At the same time, critical programs like child nutrition, food stamps, and Medicare are on the chopping block as we seek to get our nation's finances in order,said Congresswoman Lee. My amendment would save $33 billion and bring all our troops home by the end of next year. We need to redirect the savings towards job creation and supporting our most vulnerable, including those who have been unemployed for over two years and have no more unemployment benefits.\r\n\r\n\tBelow is a short description of all the amendments that Congresswoman Barbara Lee introduced and fought for:\r\n\r\n\tBring our troops home by the end of next year and cut $33 billion from Afghanistan Combat Operations \r\n\r\n\tRedirect a $5 billion war slush fund to a deficit reduction account\r\n\r\n\tFreeze DoD spending until the Pentagon budget is audit-ready\r\n\r\n\tEnsure that no combat troops remain in Iraq after Dec. 31, 2011\r\n\r\n\tSee HEREfor video of Congresswoman Barbara Lee speaking on Afghanistan amendment\r\n\r\n\tSee HEREfor video of Congresswoman Barbara Lee speaking on War Slush Fund amendment\r\n\r\n\tSee HEREfor video of Congresswoman Barbara Lee speaking on Pentagon Audit amendment\r\n\r\n\tSee HEREfor video of Congresswoman Barbara Lee speaking on Iraq amendment\r\n\r\n\tFollow Barbara Lee on Twitter @RepBarbaraLee\r\n\r\n\t###\r\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-barbara-lee-responds-to-june-jobs-report-calls-for-action-to-support-the-most-vulnerable-communities", "Congresswoman Barbara Lee Responds to June Jobs Report, Calls for Action to Support the Most Vulnerable Communities", "2011-07-08", "2011", "2011-07", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "07.08.11\n\t\t\t Congresswoman Barbara Lee Responds to June Jobs Report, Calls for Action to Support the Most Vulnerable Communities \n\t\t\t\r\n\tFor Immediate Release\r\n\r\n\tContact: Ricci Graham\r\n\t510-763-0370\r\n\r\n\tWashington, D.C.  Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) released the following statement in response to the June jobs report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics:\r\n\r\n\tAs the American economy continues sputter, it's clearly time for Congress to step up and pass legislation that would create jobs and stem the tide of rising unemployment. It is unacceptable that with 14.1 million people out of work and 6.3 million people suffering from long-term unemployment, we are not taking action to ensure that our most vulnerable communities are protected.\r\n\r\n\tRight now, African Americans have an unemployment rate of 16.2 percent, Hispanics are at 11.6 percent, and teenagers have a shockingly high rate of 24.5 percent  well above the national rate of 9.2 percent. Such disparities reflect the detrimental effects our economy continues to have on communities of color and young people.\r\n\r\n\tThe employment situation in this country is nothing short of a national crisis, and Republican leadership needs to create jobs and protect those who find themselves running out of options for assistance. Instead, Republican leadership refuses to allow members of Congress to vote on the 99ers' bill that I introduced with Congressman Bobby Scott. This much-needed legislation would provide emergency aid for those who have exhausted their 99 weeks of unemployment benefits, which would provide families with a lifeline while attempting to find work.\r\n\r\n\tWe have a moral and economic obligation to create jobs and provide the assistance that jobless workers need in order to survive as we try to fix the broken economy. As President Obama works with Congress to solve our nation's fiscal challenges, it is essential that we do not balance the budget on the backs of our most vulnerable communities.\r\n\r\n\tFollow Barbara Lee on Twitter @RepBarbaraLee\r\n\r\n\t###\r\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": 193, "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 \"party\" = :p0 and \"state\" = :p1 and \"year\" = :p2 order by date desc limit 101", "params": {"p0": "Democrat", "p1": "CA", "p2": "2011"}}, "facet_results": {"party": {"name": "party", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?party=Democrat&state=CA&year=2011", "results": [{"value": "Democrat", "label": "Democrat", "count": 193, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?state=CA&year=2011", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}, "chamber": {"name": "chamber", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?party=Democrat&state=CA&year=2011", "results": [{"value": "House", "label": "House", "count": 193, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?party=Democrat&state=CA&year=2011&chamber=House", "selected": false}], "truncated": false}, "state": {"name": "state", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?party=Democrat&state=CA&year=2011", "results": [{"value": "CA", "label": "CA", "count": 193, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?party=Democrat&year=2011", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}, "year": {"name": "year", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?party=Democrat&state=CA&year=2011", "results": [{"value": "2011", "label": "2011", "count": 193, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?party=Democrat&state=CA", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}}, "suggested_facets": [], "next": "2011-07-08,https~3A~2F~2Flee~2Ehouse~2Egov~2Fnews~2Fpress-releases~2Fcongresswoman-barbara-lee-responds-to-june-jobs-report-calls-for-action-to-support-the-most-vulnerable-communities", "next_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?party=Democrat&state=CA&year=2011&_next=2011-07-08%2Chttps~3A~2F~2Flee~2Ehouse~2Egov~2Fnews~2Fpress-releases~2Fcongresswoman-barbara-lee-responds-to-june-jobs-report-calls-for-action-to-support-the-most-vulnerable-communities&_sort_desc=date", "private": false, "allow_execute_sql": true, "query_ms": 1099.4681960437447, "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"}