{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "is_view": false, "human_description_en": "where year = 2007 sorted by date descending", "rows": [["https://lee.house.gov/news/press-releases/barbara-lees-darfur-divestment-bill-is-now-law", "Barbara Lee's Darfur Divestment Bill is Now Law", "2007-12-31", "2007", "2007-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.31.07\n\t\t\t Barbara Lee's Darfur Divestment Bill is Now Law \n\t\t\t\r\nBush responds to pressure from Lee, advocates and signs bill(Washington, DC) Responding to news that the Darfur divestment bill she originally introduced in the House has been signed into law, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (Oakland) issued the following statement After hearing the call of the American people and the cries of Darfurians, I am pleased that President Bush has finally signed the divestment bill despite opposition to the measure from his administration. \"We finally have a law that sends the message to the Khartoum government and the world that America is serious that genocide will not be tolerated - not on our watch and not on our dime. Just as divestment worked to help end apartheid in South Africa, this bill signals a major step to help end genocide in the Sudan.  Americans no longer have to worry that they are supporting genocide through their tax dollars. With this step, we can begin to wash the blood off. The new law builds on our legislation in the House and the nationwide divestment movement to accomplish three very specific goals: Authorize states, local governments, and universities, to divest from companies doing business in the military, power production, oil-related, or mineral extraction industries in partnership with the Khartoum government of Sudan; Authorize these states, local government and universities to prohibit new contracts with such companies; Provide safe harbor to mutual funds and pension plans choosing to divest their assets in such companies, and; Prohibit the federal government from entering into new federal contracts with these offending companies. \"I applaud Financial Services Committee Chairman Barney Frank, Subcommittee Chair Luis Gutierrez, Senate Majority Whip Richard Durbin and Senator Chris Dodd for their work to make this bill law. The Members of the Congressional Black Caucus, who were initial co-sponsors of my bill, were very critical to the enactment of this law. I want to especially recognize Congressman Donald Payne, the Chairman of the Africa Subcommittee, for his leadership on Sudan.  On a bipartisan basis, the House and Senate overwhelming passed the Darfur divestment legislation in both chambers so this law could be possible. Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Majority Leader Steny Hoyer should be commended for their leadership and commitment. I have to acknowledge my colleagues on the Republican side of the aisle, Congressmen Frank Wolf and Spencer Bachus and Senator Sam Brownback who testified in favor of my bill in March, for being real and consistent champions on behalf of the people of Darfur. \"This victory is the result of the tireless efforts of many organizations, including the Save Darfur Coalition, the NAACP, American Jewish World Service, the National Association of Evangelicals, Americans Against the Darfur Genocide and especially the Genocide Intervention Network and the Sudan Divestment Taskforce, who have been a voice for the voiceless and pushing for the enactment Sudan Accountability and Divestment Act. # # #    Congresswoman Lee, who was arrested for protesting the genocide in front of the Sudanese embassy in Washington in June, 2006, has traveled three times to Darfur, first with Congressional colleagues and academy award nominated actor Don Cheadle in January, 2005; on a delegation led by then-Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi in February, 2006; and on a delegation led by Majority Leader, Steny Hoyer in April, 2007.\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-says-monthly-cost-for-bushs-war-is-too-much", "Barbara Lee Says Monthly Cost For Bushs War is Too Much", "2007-12-28", "2007", "2007-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.28.07\n\t\t\t Barbara Lee Says Monthly Cost For Bush's War is Too Much \n\t\t\tPress Release from Congresswoman Barbara Lee *** Ninth Congressional District of California For Immediate Release: December 29, 2007   Contact:  Cleve Mesidor, (202) 225-2661   (Washington, DC)  Given the expensive monthly cost of the so called war on terror' and the significant discrepancy between the $11.7 billion the Pentagon estimates and recent projections of $15 billion, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (Oakland) issued the following statement: While the Pentagon estimates the monthly cost of Bush's war at $11.7 billion, recent calculations project an increase up to $15 billion. How much is too much? Too many men and women have already paid with their lives and way too many Americans are struggling, living month to month as Congress has been forced to drastically decrease funding for domestic priorities so we can fund Bush's flawed foreign policy.  With the president signing into law unconditioned funds for Iraq, the cost of this senseless war keeps rising with no end in sight. Safe and timely redeployment from Iraq is the best way to decrease war spending and shift funding to support working families. Each additional day our brave service men and women remain in harm's way in Iraq is another day that U.S. national security is further compromised and our domestic agenda goes underfunded. # # # \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-bush-saudi-arms-deal-an-escalation-in-the-arms-race", "Barbara Lee Calls Bush Saudi Arms Deal An Escalation In The Arms Race", "2007-12-27", "2007", "2007-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.27.07\n\t\t\t Barbara Lee Calls Bush Saudi Arms Deal An Escalation In The Arms Race \n\t\t\tPress Release from Congresswoman Barbara Lee Ninth Congressional District of California For Immediate Release: December 28, 2007Contact:  Cleve Mesidor (202) 225-2661   (Washington, DC)  Congresswoman Barbara Lee (Oakland) issued the following statement on the Bush administration intentions to formally announce their plan to sell precision-guided bombs to Saudi Arabia this January, despite significant Congressional opposition: This arms package is reckless and has the potential to create a powder keg that can ultimately spark a regional arms race. It appears that, once again, this Republican administration is out of touch with reality if they think that they can buy peace through arms. Selling precision-guided bombs to Saudi Arabia will only flare up an already volatile region and further weaken our national security. I will work with my colleagues in Congress to block these arms sales. # # # \n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\n \n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://lee.house.gov/news/press-releases/barbara-lee-blasts-bush-for-blocking-cas-car-emissions-rule", "Barbara Lee Blasts Bush for Blocking CAs Car Emissions Rule", "2007-12-19", "2007", "2007-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.19.07\n\t\t\t Barbara Lee Blasts Bush for Blocking CA's Car Emissions Rule \n\t\t\tPRESS RELEASE                                                              (Washington, DC)  Shocked by the White House and the EPA denying California's waiver to more aggressively curb car emissions, California Congresswoman Barbara Lee (Oakland) issued the following statement: This is irresponsible energy and environmental policy and shows where the Bush administration's priorities are not. How can President Bush stand so boldly with special interests, while cowardly blocking proactive efforts to protect our environment and leave behind a cleaner world for our children and grandchildren? The Clean Air Act gives California the authority to set stronger standards. The California plan has more aggressive timelines to reverse nearly 7 years of environmental neglect and reduce greenhouse-gas emissions in cars. That is the right approach. # # # \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/gao-finds-cuba-embargo-strains-homeland-securitys-ability-to-protect-us-borders", "GAO Finds Cuba Embargo Strains Homeland Securitys Ability to Protect US Borders", "2007-12-19", "2007", "2007-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.19.07\n\t\t\t GAO Finds Cuba Embargo Strains Homeland Security's Ability to Protect US Borders \n\t\t\tJoint Press Release from U.S. Representatives Charles Rangel & Barbara LeeFor Immediate Release: December 19, 2007 Contacts: Emile Milne (Rangel) 202.225.3335, emile.milne@mail.house.gov  Cleve Mesidor (Lee) 202.225.2661, Cleve.Mesidor@mail.house.gov (Washington, DC) - Ways and Means Chairman Charles Rangel (New York, NY) and Congresswoman Barbara Lee (Oakland, CA) today released a GAO report which finds that Homeland Security's Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is spending inordinate time and resources looking for contraband from Cuba--mostly cigars and rum - at the expense of keeping terrorists and other criminals from entering the US. I am dismayed to learn that the Bush Administration's Cuba policies have led Homeland Security and Treasury to direct scarce resources at such trivial violations, particularly when we know that our nation's borders remains vulnerable to real threats such as drugs and weapons, said Chairman Rangel. In this post 9-11 era, 70 percent of the Office of Foreign Asset Control's enforcement actions are focused on catching tourists transporting goods from Cuba instead of targeting illegal arms trafficking and terrorist financing, said Congresswoman Lee. That is outrageous and this GAO report is yet another example that the Cuba embargo is not working and the Bush administration's national security priorities are out of touch, serving only to divert precious resources away from vital national security efforts. The GAO report, initiated at the request of Chairman Rangel and Congresswoman Lee, found that while the U.S. has over 20 trade sanctions programs in placeincluding sanctions against Iran, North Korea, and Syriamore than 60 percent of cases investigated by Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control target contraband entering from Cuba, not more dangerous violations of sanctions regimes aimed at blocking money laundering or technology transfers.  Since 2004, the Bush Administration has ratcheted up restrictions on U.S. citizen's ability travel to Cuba, greatly affecting citizens who wish to visit relatives or send remittances or gifts to family members. GAO investigators in Miami found that U.S. citizens returning from Cuba are seven times more likely to be searched at the border than persons entering from any other country, including those with ties to drugs and terrorism.  This comes on top of recent GAO reports of weaknesses in CBP's inspection capacity that increases the potential for terrorists and inadmissible travelers entering the country at major ports of entry. The GAO report recommends that Homeland Security re-evaluate whether its practice of intensive inspections of passengers arriving from Cuba appropriately balances its enforcement of the embargo with its responsibilities for keeping terrorists, criminals, and inadmissible aliens from entering the country. Given Treasury's responsibilities for administering sanctions against countries engaged in terrorism, GAO recommends that Treasury assess its allocation of resources for investigating and penalizing violations of the Cuba embargo. Both Members endorse GAO's recommendations and call on the Bush administration to revoke its short-sighted policies on Cuba and direct the Departments of Homeland Security and Treasury to promptly address the weaknesses, vulnerabilities and misplaced priorities observed by GAO. \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-remembers-us-representative-julia-carson", "Barbara Lee Remembers US Representative Julia Carson", "2007-12-14", "2007", "2007-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.14.07\n\t\t\t Barbara Lee Remembers US Representative Julia Carson \n\t\t\t(Washington, DC)  Congresswoman Barbara Lee (Oakland, CA) released \r\nthe following statement marveling at the legacy that Congresswoman Julia Carson \r\nleft behind:\r\n\r\nI can't \r\nhelp but smile as I remember the wonderful public servant, colleague, mentor, \r\nsister and friend who was Julia Carson. I am privilege to have known \r\nher.\r\n\r\nWe were \r\nelected to Congress around the same time  just two years apart. You could say, \r\nI followed her into the House.\r\n\r\nLike our \r\nbeloved Shirley Chisholm, who was the first Black woman elected to Congress, \r\nJulia was the first woman and first African American to represent \r\nIndianapolis.\r\n\r\nShe is an \r\ninspiration to the many young women who will dare to enter public service and \r\nher spirit will inspire them to keep fighting the good fight as she did during \r\nher 35 years in elected office.\r\n\r\nJulia left \r\nthis world a better place then she found it. After 69 glorious years on this \r\nearth, she is with her Maker and I am sure she will dwell in the House' of the \r\nLord forever and ever.\r\n\r\nMy \r\nthoughts and prayers are with her family during what will likely be a difficult \r\nholiday season. ------  \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/progressive-leaders-outraged-over-allegations-of-misconduct-by-iraq-inspector-general", "Progressive Leaders Outraged Over Allegations of Misconduct by Iraq Inspector General", "2007-12-13", "2007", "2007-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.13.07\n\t\t\t Progressive Leaders Outraged Over Allegations of Misconduct by Iraq Inspector General \n\t\t\t\r\nJoint Press Release: U.S. Representatives Barbara Lee, Maxine Waters & Lynn Woolsey For Immediate Release: December 14, 2007 (Washington, DC)  In the wake of allegations of overspending and mismanagement by Special Inspector General for Iraq (SIGIR) Stuart W. Bowen Jr., a former Bush legal adviser assigned to probe claims of waste and fraud in the U.S. occupation of Iraq, Congresswomen Barbara Lee (D-CA), Maxine Waters (D-CA) and Lynn Woolsey (D-CA) released the following reactions: These allegations are extremely troubling and ironic when you consider that this entity was created to expose mismanagement and misconduct of US taxpayer funds, but are now themselves under investigation, said Congresswoman Lee, co-chair of the Progressive Caucus and a co-founder of the Out of Iraq Caucus who sits on the State Foreign Operations sub-committee of the House Appropriations committee. There is a pattern of war profiteering that, frankly, has marked the Bush administration's occupation of Iraq that cannot be ignored. This republican administration has spent over $22 billion dollars, apparently for reconstruction, but clearly has no oversight or accountability for the funds. The Bush administration must be held accountable for ensuring there is a thorough investigation and that any wrongdoing is made public and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. This is a classic example of the fox guarding the henhouse, said Woolsey, the co-chair of the Progressive Caucus and a co-founder of the Out of Iraq Caucus who sits on the House Foreign Affairs Committee. These allegations raise the real possibility that some of the very people who are supposed to be providing oversight of the President's no-bid Halliburton sweetheart deals, and others, are the ones who need to be supervised in the first place, and Congress must exercise our role in overseeing them.  President Bush has already spent over $500 billion in taxpayer funds on his unjust occupation of Iraq, which breaks down to roughly $20,000 for every family in America.  He owes it to each and every one of them to come clean and account for every dollar. The allegations of mismanagement against the Special Inspector General for Iraq Reconstruction (SIGIR) are troubling, said Rep. Waters, Chair of the Out of Iraq Caucus.  The fact that SIGIR's work is so vital to Congress's oversight of the reconstruction process in Iraq makes it that much more important that an investigation be conducted, and any wrongdoing be appropriately handled. ------    Contacts:  Cleve Mesidor (Lee) 202.225.2661, cleve.Mesidor@mail.house.gov  Chris Shields (Woolsey) 202.225.5161, chris.shields@mail.house.gov  Mikael Moore (Waters) 202.225.2201, Mikael.Moore@mail.house.gov   \n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\n \n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://lee.house.gov/news/press-releases/barbara-lees-statement-on-senate-passage-of-darfur-divestment-bill-and-pending-house-vote", "Barbara Lees Statement on Senate Passage of Darfur Divestment Bill & Pending House Vote", "2007-12-12", "2007", "2007-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.12.07\n\t\t\t Barbara Lee's Statement on Senate Passage of Darfur Divestment Bill & Pending House Vote \n\t\t\t(Washington, DC)  As the U.S. House gets set to vote on the revised Darfur Divestment bill next week, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (Oakland, CA) issued the following statement:I introduced the Darfur Accountability and Divestment Act (HR 180) to target companies whose business in Sudan directly or indirectly supports the genocide in Darfur, which passed with overwhelming bipartisan support.  I applaud the Senate for responding to the charge to confront the genocide of Darfur and passing the Sudan Accountability and Divestment Act.  I am thrilled the Senate followed suit. No one should have to worry that they are supporting genocide, whether it's through their tax dollars or their pension fund. This bill is designed to wash the blood off of our federal contracts, protect the rights of states to divest their own public pension funds from companies doing business in Sudan and increase the financial pressure on Khartoum to end the genocide in Darfur. I am optimistic that the House will move swiftly to pass the revised Senate version on Tuesday. ------  \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-leads-effort-to-oppose-hiv/aids-travel-ban", "Barbara Lee Leads Effort To Oppose HIV/AIDS Travel Ban", "2007-12-06", "2007", "2007-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.06.07\n\t\t\t Barbara Lee Leads Effort To Oppose HIV/AIDS Travel Ban \n\t\t\t(Washington, DC)  Congresswoman Barbara Lee (Oakland, CA) led Members of Congress to sign on to a letter to Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff to oppose a proposed rule, prompted by the Bush administration, to impose a travel ban on certain individuals afflicted with the HIV infection who wish to come into the United States.  On World AIDS Day in 2006, President Bush proposed streamlining the current waiver process for HIV-positive individuals seeking to enter the United States on short-term business or tourist visas for up to 60 days by granting them a categorical waiver.   The letter, which was delivered to Secretary Chertoff on December 6, also calls for the HIV/AIDS statutory travel ban to be repealed because it is a violation of human rights. The United States is one of only thirteen countries in the world that maintains a formal ban on travel and immigration for HIV positive individuals. The letter states: The Honorable Michael Chertoff  Secretary  Department of Homeland Security  Washington DC, 20528 Re: Bureau of Customs and Border Protection, Proposed Rule for Issuance of a Visa and Authorization for Temporary Admission into the United States for Certain Nonimmigrant Aliens Afflicted with HIV Infection.  Docket ID: USCBP20070084. Dear Secretary Chertoff, As Members of Congress we write to express our profound disagreement and concern with the current unjustified and discriminatory statute banning travel and immigration for people living with HIV/AIDS.  We are further troubled by the issuance of this new proposed rule related to temporary (nonimmigrant) entry, which creates the impression that the ill-conceived policy in the underlying statute can somehow be mitigated.  Simply put the HIV/AIDS statutory travel ban is a violation of human rights, has no basis in public health, and should be repealed. The initial ban on travel and immigration for people living with HIV/AIDS was enacted in 1987 amid a climate of stigma, fear, and limited public understanding about how HIV was spread. Much has changed about our knowledge of HIV/AIDS and public perceptions of people living with the disease in the last twenty years; it is well known that HIV cannot be spread through casual contact, and that people with HIV are able and entitled to lead full lives.  And, in fact, the ban has not been shown to reduce transmission of HIV or provide any economic benefit to the United States. However, the ban remains in effect. Despite repeated analyses by the Department of Health and Human Services finding no scientifically valid public health justification for its continuation, and as pointed out in the proposed rule, despite repeated attempts by the Department to overturn the ban, Congress codified the regulation in 1993. Apart from lacking any basis in public health, the travel and immigration ban, and the existing visa waiver process that accompanies it, create an exceptional, discriminatory and undue burden on people living with HIV/AIDS who seek admission into the United States.  People living with HIV/AIDS are required to publicly disclose their HIV status as a condition of entry, and if they are positive, their HIV status becomes a permanent part of their record, which may place them at further risk of discrimination.  HIV positive individuals applying for a visa waiver must also provide documentation to demonstrate that they are of minimal danger to the public health, that their possibility of transmitting the virus is minimal, and that they will not incur any economic cost to the government. The proposed rule for a categorical waiver does not appear to lessen any of these requirements, only shifting decision-making authority away from the Secretary of Homeland Security to the Secretary of State and local consular officers who may lack the appropriate medical expertise.  Applicants would still have to somehow persuade an official that they are of minimal danger, will not transmit the virus, and will not cost the government money.  There would be no appeal process.  Selecting this pathway would also require applicants to waive any right to readjust their status once in the United States  a waiver not required under current policy. By comparison, there are no such requirements for other common and costly diseases that afflict comparable numbers of people.  Furthermore, HIV/AIDS is the only disease that was placed by statute on the list of communicable diseases which trigger denial of admission into the United States.  Apart from HIV/AIDS, current law provides the Secretary of Health and Human Services with the discretion to determine whether any other disease may be grounds for non-admission into the United States. In taking away the discretion of the Secretary to make a scientifically-grounded determination on HIV/AIDS, it is our view that Congress committed a grievous error that cannot be fixed by regulation.  We strongly believe that the only credible solution is for Congress to take action and repeal this unjust and discriminatory statutory ban and return to the Secretary of Health the authority to make this public health decision. Rather than continue forward with this rulemaking process, we encourage you and the President to join us in calling for an immediate repeal of the underlying statutory language. # # # Congresswoman Barbara Lee (Oakland-CA) serves on the House Appropriations Committee, the Labor, Health and Human Services, Education Subcommittee, the Foreign Operations Subcommittee, Vice Chair of the Legislative Branch Subcommittee and is First Vice-Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://lee.house.gov/news/press-releases/barbara-lees-statement-on-iraq-occupation-funding-and-upcoming-vote-in-congress", "Barbara Lees Statement on Iraq Occupation Funding & Upcoming Vote in Congress", "2007-12-05", "2007", "2007-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.05.07\n\t\t\t Barbara Lee's Statement on Iraq Occupation Funding & Upcoming Vote in Congress \n\t\t\t(Washington, DC)  With Congress getting closer to the expected vote on the FY08 omnibus package, which may include funding to continue the occupation of Iraq, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (Oakland, CA) issued the following statement: \"Congress should not approve another dime for any measure for continuing the occupation of Iraq that does not include a clear timeline for safe and timely redeployment. We have the power to end the occupation of Iraq. \"As we get set to vote on the expected FY08 omnibus bill, we can not lower the bar on the Bush administration and substitute weak benchmarks in place of the only benchmark that matters to the American people: namely, protecting our troops on the ground and bringing them home as safely and as soon as possible. \"Experts concur that there is no military solution to the problems in Iraq. It is President Bush and the Republicans who need to change their strategy.\" # # # Congresswoman Barbara Lee (Oakland-D) is co-chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus and co-founder of the Out of Iraq Caucus. In October, she led a group of 89 House members in writing to the President to state their commitment to only providing funding for the redeployment of troops from IRAQ. \n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\n \n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://lee.house.gov/news/press-releases/barbara-lees-statement-on-world-aids-awareness-day", "Barbara Lees Statement on World AIDS Awareness Day", "2007-11-29", "2007", "2007-11", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "11.29.07\n\t\t\t Barbara Lee's Statement on World AIDS Awareness Day \n\t\t\t(Washington, DC)  Congresswoman Barbara Lee (Oakland, CA)issued the following statement in recognition of World AIDS Awareness Day:World AIDS Day is December 1 and all over the world events will be held to remember those who have died from this disease and call for bold action to eradicate the epidemic. Our global and national response to AIDS must be informed by the lessons we've learned from the evolution of the HIV/AIDS epidemic here in the United States and abroad. Although recent attention has focused on the magnitude of the overestimation in prior years, 39 million people in 2006 versus 33 million this year, little has been said about what implications the revised figures by the United Nations Joint Programme on HIV/AIDS might have for the global response to HIV/AIDS. New treatment data expected from PEPFAR and the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria will again show a sizable increase in the number of people receiving lifesaving anti-retroviral drugs--with millions more still lining up to seek treatment. The issue is timely because we in Congress are currently discussing a five year reauthorization and expansion of our global HIV/AIDS programs, known more commonly as the President's Emergency Plan For AIDS Relief (PEPFAR). The tragic reality is that over the last seven years the President and Republicans in Congress have failed to provide the resources or the leadership to refocus and reinvigorate our response to the US HIV/AIDS epidemic to address the needs of young gay men, or communities of color. After a generation of living and dying with AIDS, we are once again facing an upsurge in new cases among young gay men, predominantly among African American and minority communities. In July 2003, the CDC reported for the first time in over a decade that the number of new AIDS cases had increased over prior year estimates. Across all demographic ranges, African Americans are the most likely to get infected with HIV and to die from AIDS. Leadership from African American organizations and faith leaders, along with members of the Congressional Black Caucus will be proposing a new initiative to stop the spread of AIDS in the African American community. As we sit down to re-authorize the PEPFAR program for the next five years, we cannot remain content or become complacent with our successes so far.  Rather we must intensify our focus and ensure that as we act to save lives we tie our response to accurate information and ownership at the community level.  And in order to be successful, we must provide the funding and the flexibility to respond in a sustained manner to those in need. HIV/AIDS is not going away anytime soon. We must ensure that our response toHIV/AIDS is expanded and sustained for the long term, while remaining grounded by the needs of vulnerable communities who have been impacted by this disease here at home and abroad.------Congresswoman Barbara Lee (Oakland-D) is a leader in the fight against the HIV/AIDS pandemic. She co-authored legislation creating the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB and Malaria in 2000,  the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief in 2003, and legislation on orphans and vulnerable children affected by HIV/AIDS in 2005.  \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/congressional-black-caucus-foundation-blog-rep-lees-post-on-her-trip-to-south-africa", "Congressional Black Caucus Foundation Blog: Rep. Lee's post on her trip to South Africa", "2007-11-29", "2007", "2007-11", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "11.29.07\n\t\t\t Congressional Black Caucus Foundation Blog: Rep. Lee's post on her trip to South Africa \n\t\t\t\r\nSecond Day is Amazing and InspiringThis has been an amazing day. Our delegation met with the Global Business Coalition on HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria in Johannesburg. We spoke to the group about our support for increased funding for the U.S. HIV/AIDS initiative known as the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, or PEPFAR, and the importance of the private sector in fighting the pandemic. Later, we visited a HIV/AIDS testing site, located in the Zola area of Soweto, sponsored by the Levi Strauss Red for Life Initiative, Centers for Disease Control, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and the State Department. I talked to young people regarding the importance of getting tested.  Congresswoman Christensen and I helped to lead by example by getting tested publicly and we noted the very thorough pre- and post-testing counseling as well as enhanced efforts for confidentiality. Really impressive. We were very inspired to see young people sign up for testing  and saying our speeches convinced them to get tested. Later, we went to Pretoria to meet with the nation's minister of education, Naledi Pandor. Minister Pandor is a brilliant South African woman committed to the education of all of her country's children and to its progress and development. She emphasized that inequality in the nation's school system still exists as a result of decades of apartheid. Apartheid is the major challenge of South African's education strategies, which revolve around quality of opportunities for all children as they strive to create a modern system of education. We are very hopeful about the future possibilities of the CBC Foundation's efforts to develop partnerships and closer ties to the education, economic and health aspirations of all South African people. Rep. Barbara Lee of California  Chairwoman  African Globalism Committee  Congressional Black Caucus Foundation \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-bay-area-contingent-in-calling-for-independent-inquiry-into-oil-spill", "Barbara Lee joins Bay Area Contingent in Calling for Independent Inquiry into Oil Spill", "2007-11-18", "2007", "2007-11", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "11.18.07\n\t\t\t Barbara Lee joins Bay Area Contingent in Calling for Independent Inquiry into Oil Spill \n\t\t\t(Oakland, CA)  Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) on Monday joined a number of congressional leaders who attended a hearing at the Presidio on Monday in calling for a thorough investigation into the chain of events that led to massive oil spill into the San Francisco Bay by the Cosco Busan on November 7. Congresswoman Lee issued this statement following the three-hour congressional hearing: \"As you all know, the Port of Oakland, where this vessel departed from, is in my district just across the Bay. I am deeply disturbed by this incident for a number of reasons. I'm concerned by the chain of events that led to the initial collision and the oil spill. I'm concerned about the timeliness of the initial incident response and the extent of notification and involvement of city and local governments in the cleanup process. But I'm especially concerned about the impact the oil spill has had on our environment and the wildlife, the health of the Bay and the people whose economic livelihood depends on it. And I'm concerned not just because of what I've read and heard about this incident, but also about the potential for this to happen again. In many ways, ship and container vessel traffic throughout the Bay Area is a lifeblood for our region and the nation.  Oakland and other ports have sought to do their part to work with the business, labor and environmental community and ensure that our environmental principles are not compromised for economic benefit. But the fact is that container traffic is only expected to increase in the future as our population and our economy expands.  So what are the steps we can take now, at the federal and state level to ensure that we have the right systems in place to deal with it? For me, that means requiring on the front end, strong environmental and safety standards for all container vessel traffic, whether out in the Bay or anchored at port. We should seriously explore the need for requiring double hulls on all containers vessels entering our ports. We should re-examine our regional vessel traffic system to more aggressively prevent collisions. We should work with the pilots to ensure they have the resources they need to navigate ships correctly, and if need be, impose new requirements on international vessels that wish to dock at our ports. We need to sharpen our incident response process, to better coordinate local, state, and federal efforts to prepare and train for any situation that might occur. And locally we should ensure that city governments in regions with container vessel traffic have the tools and resources necessary to respond and cleanup oil spills in their jurisdictions as quickly as possible. Inevitably this incident will take time to investigate.  But that should not delay our efforts to learn from it and make sure that it never happens again.\" -------    \n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\n \n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://lee.house.gov/news/press-releases/behind-the-scenes-history-of-new-diabetes-factsheet-shows-government-at-work", "Behind the Scenes: History of New Diabetes Factsheet Shows Government at Work", "2007-11-16", "2007", "2007-11", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "11.16.07\n\t\t\t Behind the Scenes: History of New Diabetes Factsheet Shows Government at Work \n\t\t\t(Washington, DC)  It was hardly a memorable exchange, as Capitol Hill hearings go.  When Dr. Griffin Rodgers from the National Institute on Diabetes and Digestive Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) testified before the Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health, Human Services and Education March 6th, 2007, there were no sparks or accusations, just a simple question. Congresswoman Barbara Lee, an African American Democrat who represents Oakland, California, asked about the possible public health consequences false diabetes diagnoses resulting from the common A1C test being administered to people with sickle cell trait. Following up on Lee's question, further research by NIDDK revealed that there was a problem with false positivenegative tests when physicians used the so called hemoglobin A1C test to diagnose diabetes or measure blood sugar levels in patients who had sickle cell.  The research also revealed that the A1C test was also potentially ineffective for other ethnic groups with variant strains of hemoglobin, such as people of Mediterranean, or Southeast Asian heritage. When the A1C is administered to individuals with variant hemoglobin they may be falsely diagnosed or misdiagnosed and may possibly be over- or under-treated based on false blood glucose levels reported by the test, which could then also create further health complications. As a result of the exchange in the hearing, this month, NIDDK is releasing two new fact sheets to alert people to the problem, one for patients and one for physicians. The fact that a commonly used diabetes test is unreliable among people of African, Mediterranean, or Southeast Asian heritage, speaks volumes about the need to re-evaluate our health systems and our approach to diagnosis, care and treatment to meet the unique needs of minority communities, said Lee.  The release of these two new fact sheets by the NIDDK, specifically targeted to people of African, Mediterranean, or Southeast Asian heritage, is an important step towards the goal of ensuring that our system of public health works for everyone, regardless of race or ethnicity.   ------ \n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\n \n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://lee.house.gov/news/press-releases/barbara-lee-hails-passage-of-second-chance-act", "Barbara Lee Hails Passage of Second Chance Act", "2007-11-15", "2007", "2007-11", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "11.15.07\n\t\t\t Barbara Lee Hails Passage of Second Chance Act \n\t\t\t(Washington, DC)  Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA), one of the nation's leading advocates for criminal justice reform, applauded the House passage on November 13, 2007 of HR 1593, the Second Chance Act of 2007, a measure aimed at addressing recidivism by strengthening programs to help the reentry of formerly incarcerated individuals. The bill passed with overwhelming bipartisan support, and its companion bill, S. 1060, is already cosponsored by a third of the United States Senate.No one is served when we turn our back on those who have done their time and paid their debt to society, Lee said. Working together, we can fight recidivism by beginning to remove the difficulties faced by the hundreds of thousands of prisoners who rejoin our communities each year. Recent studies indicate that over two thirds of released state prisoners are expected to be rearrested for a felony or serious misdemeanor within three years of their release. The Second Chance Act, introduced by Representative Danny Davis (D-IL), is designed to reduce that figure by reauthorizing and creating new programs to prepare prisoners for reentry into society.  These programs include literacy training, adult education, vocational schooling, job placement assistance, and substance abuse treatment. The bill also establishes several innovative new grant programs. The Prosecution Drug Treatment Alternative to Prison Program allows prosecutors to choose to use drug treatment instead of imprisonment to cut the vicious cycle of crime with the help of Federal grants. The bill also authorizes grants for family-based substance abuse treatment programs as an alternative to incarceration for nonviolent drug offenders, and new grants to evaluate and refine the educational and testing programs in America's prisons, jails and juvenile facilities. The bill's passage comes two weeks after the Third Annual Clean Slate Summit, an event co-founded by Lee in collaboration of state and county governments, law enforcement agencies, nonprofit groups and legal advocates in California's East Bay to help formerly incarcerated individuals clear up their criminal records and regain access to vital employment, housing and educational services. ------  \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-to-host-medical-roundtable-on-false-diabetes-test-results-that-could-impact-african-americans-and-those-of-south-east-asian-descent", "Barbara Lee to Host Medical Roundtable on False Diabetes Test Results That Could Impact African Americans and those of South East Asian Descent", "2007-11-15", "2007", "2007-11", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "11.15.07\n\t\t\t Barbara Lee to Host Medical Roundtable on False Diabetes Test Results That Could Impact African Americans and those of South East Asian Descent \n\t\t\t(Oakland, CA)  As part of American Diabetes Month, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) will host a roundtable discussion on newly released information on the potential for false positive diabetes test results among people of African, Mediterranean, or Southeast Asian heritage using the common A1C diabetes test. WHO: Congresswoman Barbara Lee, Dr. Tolbert Small, Dr. Jeffrey Oxendine, Dr. Robert Cooper, National Diabetes and Digestive Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) Representative Anita Wilkerson and Dr. Betram Lubin will join representative from local health clinics, members of the faith-based community and local political offices. WHERE: West Oakland Health Center in Conference room 3-B. 700 Adeline St., Oakland CA WHEN: November 20, 2007 from 10:00 AM- 11:30AM ------ \n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\n \n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://lee.house.gov/news/press-releases/barbara-lee-to-join-in-release-of-new-report-on-toy-safety", "Barbara Lee to Join in Release of New Report on Toy Safety", "2007-11-15", "2007", "2007-11", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "11.15.07\n\t\t\t Barbara Lee to Join in Release of New Report on Toy Safety \n\t\t\t(Oakland, CA)  As the holiday shopping season gets underway, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) will be speaking at press conference with representatives from CalPIRG to release a new report on toy safety. WHO:  Congresswoman Barbara Lee, CalPIRG representative Danielle Ziff, and parents and teachers will be on hand to discuss toy safety WHERE:  St. Vincent's Day Home at 1086 8th Street in Oakland WHEN:   November 20, 2007 at 11:30 a.m. ------ \n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\n \n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://lee.house.gov/news/press-releases/barbara-lee-to-meet-with-volunteers-receiving-training-to-assist-in-the-clean-up-of-the-oil", "Barbara Lee To Meet With Volunteers Receiving Training To Assist In The Clean Up Of The Oil", "2007-11-15", "2007", "2007-11", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "11.15.07\n\t\t\t Barbara Lee To Meet With Volunteers Receiving Training To Assist In The Clean Up Of The Oil \n\t\t\t(Oakland, CA)  Congresswoman Barbara Lee will meet with volunteers who will be receiving training to assist in the clean up of area shorelines following the spill of 58,000 gallons of toxic bunker fuel that was dumped into the San Francisco Bay after the Cosco Busan collided with a Bay Bridge support beam. Congresswoman Lee will also meet with Hazmat trainers in order to assess what efforts need to be made by Congress to protect the region's pristine waterways. WHO:   Congresswoman Barbara Lee to meet with volunteers receiving Hazmat training to allow them to assist in the clean up of the massive oil spill that is adversely impacting the San Francisco Bay Area Region.  WHERE:  West Berkeley Senior Center,     1900 Sixth Street, Berkeley, CA   WHEN:  November 17, 2007    10:30 AM- 11:00 AM ------ \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-leads-progressives-on-iraq-redeployment-bill", "Barbara Lee Leads Progressives on Iraq Redeployment Bill", "2007-11-13", "2007", "2007-11", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "11.13.07\n\t\t\t Barbara Lee Leads Progressives on Iraq Redeployment Bill \n\t\t\t(Washington, DC)  Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) spoke out in favor of legislation that for the first time links funding for Iraq with the responsible redeployment of our troops during debate today on the House floor. The following is her statement: Mr. Speaker, as one who opposed the invasion of Iraq and as one who has led efforts to end the occupation of Iraq , I rise today to support the Orderly and Responsible Iraq Redeployment Appropriations Act of 2007.  First, I would like to thank Speaker Pelosi, Chairmen Obey and Murtha for really crafting this historic legislation that takes the first step to end the occupation of Iraq . This bill's main purpose, main purpose, is to begin to fund the end of this occupation.  This is also the very first time that this Congress will explicitly tie funding to bringing our troops home. It mandates a start date for the President to begin redeployment of our brave troops within 30 days of his signature. It also once again puts Congress on record prohibiting the establishment of permanent military bases and United States economic control of Iraqi oil and also of torture.  Mr. Speaker, this legislation is not perfect. I strongly feel that there should be additional clarity on the numbers and nature of U.S. forces that remain for protection of diplomats and training of Iraqi forces. And given the President's determination to protect his legacy by allowing the occupation to continue indefinitely, we really must be wary of providing him opportunities to prolong or extend this war.   So we made sure in this legislation that this bill explicitly states that the primary purpose of this $5 billion should be to transition the mission, redeploy troops in Iraq , and not to extend or prolong the war.' But I am also disappointed that the end date in this legislation is a goal no later than December 2008. But hopefully, the Senate will pass this and send it to the President.  This legislation does conform to what Congresswomen Waters, Woosley and myself have been working on all year. Earlier this year, we authored the Lee amendment that stipulates funding for Iraq should be used to fully fund, fully fund, the safe and orderly redeployment of our troops from Iraq . We did this way back in March. Now, 92 Members of Congress wrote to the President to put him on notice to this effect. So I am glad this remains the main purpose of this legislation.  This legislation represents for many of us a very important step forward to end the combat operations in Iraq. Otherwise, believe you me, I would never vote for it.  Mr. Speaker, this legislation does not give the President a blank check for his occupation. It provides a down payment on redeploying our troops from Iraq and ending the occupation. It clearly says these funds are to be used to begin to end the death, the violence, and the destruction that the Bush administration has brought on Iraq , which he has brought on our brave young men and women, and our country and the world. ------ \n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\n \n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://lee.house.gov/news/press-releases/barbara-lees-statement-on-the-passing-of-augustus-hawkins", "Barbara Lees Statement on the Passing of Augustus Hawkins", "2007-11-12", "2007", "2007-11", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "11.12.07\n\t\t\t Barbara Lee's Statement on the Passing of Augustus Hawkins \n\t\t\t(Washington, DC) - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) issued the following statement on the passing of Augustus Freeman Gus Hawkins, the first African American elected to Congress from California and a co-founder of the Congressional Black Caucus:As a lawmaker, as a Civil Rights leader and as an advocate for children and underserved communities, Congressman Augustus Hawkins was a leader who has left behind a lasting legacy, both in terms of his legislative accomplishments and in the memories of those who follow in his footsteps and take up his work. I first met Congressman Hawkins in the early 1970's, when I was working for then-Congressman Ron Dellums.  He was totally committed to young people, and as the chair of the House Education and Labor Committee, he was a tireless advocate.  He had a certain quiet strength that conveyed his determination to get the job done. I ran into Congressman Hawkins in the halls of the Rayburn House office building a couple of years ago, and despite his advanced years he was still at it, lobbying for education and pushing us as lawmakers to do a better job for young people. His passing is a loss for our nation.  He will be missed, and our thoughts and prayers are with his family. ------  \n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\n \n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://lee.house.gov/news/press-releases/barbara-lee-to-co-host-third-annual-clean-slate-summit", "Barbara Lee to Co-Host Third Annual Clean Slate Summit", "2007-10-30", "2007", "2007-10", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "10.30.07\n\t\t\t Barbara Lee to Co-Host Third Annual Clean Slate Summit  \n\t\t\t(Oakland, CA)  Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) will be co-hosting the third annual Clean Slate record remedies summit, a day of free legal advice and assistance designed to help formerly incarcerated people clear up criminal records and put their past behind them, at Berkeley High School on Saturday, November 3rd.WHO: Congresswoman Barbara Lee, Assemblymember Sandre Swanson, Alameda County Supervisor Keith Carson, Alameda County Superior Court Judge Gordon Baranco Alameda County Superior Court Judge Trina Thompson and representatives from the Alameda County Superior Court, Alameda County District Attorney's and Public Defender's Offices, All of Us Or None, and the East Bay Community Law Center WHAT: Third Annual Clean Slate Summit WHERE: Berkeley High School  2223 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Way, Berkeley WHEN: Saturday, November 3rd, 2007, 9:00 AM  3:00 PM 9:00 AM - Opening Ceremony, remarks by Congresswoman Lee  9:50 AM - Press Availability (backstage VIP area)  10:00  11:40 AM  Workshops  11:45  12:30 PM  Success Stories (presentation of Certificates of Rehabilitation by Congresswoman Lee, Alameda County Superior Court Judge Trina Thompson and others)  1:00  3:00 PM - Workshops \n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\n \n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://lee.house.gov/news/press-releases/barbara-lee-slams-senate-southwick-confirmation", "Barbara Lee Slams Senate Southwick Confirmation", "2007-10-23", "2007", "2007-10", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "10.23.07\n\t\t\t Barbara Lee Slams Senate Southwick Confirmation \n\t\t\t\r\nSingles Out Feinstein for Sending Nomination to the Floor(Washington, DC)  In response to the Senate vote today to confirm Judge Leslie Southwick to the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) released the following statement criticizing the vote and: Judge Southwick's confirmation today is a strike against our nation's commitment to equal justice. I am appalled that the Senate would confirm to the Fifth Circuit someone who thinks that it is EVER acceptable for one person to refer to another using the n-word.' The fact is that the Fifth Circuit has the highest percentage of minority residents of any other circuit, yet ALL of the nominees over the last 22 years have been white.  In fact, there is only one black member of the court and he is only the second since the court was created in 1869. The recent case in Jena, Louisiana shows the racism in the criminal justice system within the jurisdiction of the Fifth Circuit. The case in Jena makes it clear why we cannot afford to send anyone less than a civil rights champion to serve on this court, let alone someone with a record of hostility towards civil rights, someone who thinks that it is acceptable for someone to refer to someone else using the n-word.' I believe that we have come too far from the days of Jim Crow to tolerate the type of racist miscarriage of justice that we have seen in Jena, and in the record of Judge Southwick. If we are ever to overcome the tragic legacy of racism in this nation, we have a duty to our young people to see to it that the principle of equal justice is upheld.  If we truly believe in our nation's principle of equality before the law, then we have to make sure that everyone, regardless of race, is held equal before the law. Let me also say that as a Californian and as an African American, I am incredibly disappointed that a Senator from my home state, Senator Feinstein, would not only vote for confirmation but would be the one to effectively bring this nomination to the floor by voting with the Republicans to approve the nomination in committee.  It is particularly disappointing given California's diversity and our history of leadership on issues of civil rights, women's rights, worker's rights and the basic commitment to equality before the law, all areas where Judge Southwick's record is, quite frankly, sadly lacking. ------  \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-bush-iraq-supplemental-request", "Barbara Lee Responds to Bush Iraq Supplemental Request", "2007-10-21", "2007", "2007-10", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "10.21.07\n\t\t\t Barbara Lee Responds to Bush Iraq Supplemental Request \n\t\t\t(Washington, DC)  Congresswoman Barbara Lee, who last week led a group of 89 House members in writing to the President to state their commitment to only providing funding for the redeployment of troops from Iraq, issued the following statement in response to the $196 billion supplemental spending request for Iraq that President Bush formally submitted today:The President is asking Congress to pay for an exit strategy for him at the expense of our troops.  Well, people aren't buying his scare tactics anymore.  People are asking How many of our troops should die so the President can save face?'   Congress should not approve another dime for him to run out the clock on his failed policy.  We have the power to end the occupation of Iraq by fully funding the safe, timely, responsible redeployment of our troops, and there are a growing number of members of Congress who are committed to doing just that. A recent national poll found strong opposition to Congress providing further unconditional funding for Iraq and broad support for Congress providing funds only to protect troops and bring them home.  Asked what Congress should do with President Bush's pending Iraq supplemental request, 24 percent of respondents supported voting against the funding, 22 percent supported unconditional funding, 46 percent supported providing funding only for redeployment and eight percent responded \"don't know\". The poll, which reached 1,000 adults nationwide between September 20-23, was designed by Lake Research Partners and administered by Caravan as part of an omnibus telephone survey.  The margin of error for the full sample of adults is +/- 3.1% and +/- 3.5% among registered voters. \n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\n \n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://lee.house.gov/news/press-releases/barbara-lee-blasts-republican-votes-to-uphold-bush-schip-veto", "Barbara Lee Blasts Republican Votes to Uphold Bush SCHIP Veto", "2007-10-17", "2007", "2007-10", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "10.17.07\n\t\t\t Barbara Lee Blasts Republican Votes to Uphold Bush SCHIP Veto \n\t\t\t(Washington, DC)  Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) issued the following statement condemning Republican support for President Bush's veto of a bipartisan bill that would have reauthorized and expanded the State Children's Health Insurance Program, after the House fell 13 votes short of overriding the President's veto:The President and the Republicans who upheld his veto in the House stand virtually alone in opposing this critical bipartisan legislation that would extend much needed health coverage to the children in this country who need it most. Eighty one percent of the American people support this bipartisan bill.  Sixty seven Senators support this bill, including 18 Republicans.  Forty three governors support this bill, including 16 Republicans.  More than 270 organizations support this bill, ranging from the American Medical Association to AARP, and Catholic Health to PhRMA. The President and the Republicans who have stood with him to uphold his veto are on the wrong side of children, the wrong side of families and the wrong side of history. So we have no choice but to keep fighting to put the needs of our nation's children first and to see to it that they get the healthcare that they need and that they deserve. --------  \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-to-hold-press-conference-on-childrens-health-care-veto", "Barbara Lee to Hold Press Conference on Childrens Health Care Veto", "2007-10-17", "2007", "2007-10", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "10.17.07\n\t\t\t Barbara Lee to Hold Press Conference on Children's Health Care Veto \n\t\t\t\r\n(Oakland, CA)  Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) will hold a press conference at Oakland's Children's Hospital and Research Center on Friday morning to discuss the issue of healthcare and specifically the State Children's Health Insurance Program after efforts to override President Bush's veto of the bipartisan bill to reauthorize and expand the program fell 13 votes short in the House on Thursday.WHO: Speakers will include:   Congresswoman Barbara LeeFrank Tiedemann, President and CEO of Children's Hospital Rev. George Cummings, co-chair of Oakland Community Organizations and Pastor of Imani Community ChurchIngrid Lamirault, CEO of the Alameda Alliance for HealthKristen Golden Testa, California Health Director for The Children's Partnership, 100 Percent CampaignDeena Lahn, Policy Director of the Children's Defense Fund WHERE: The atrium in the outpatient center at the Children's Hospital and Research Center, 747 52nd St., OaklandWHEN: 9:45 AM, Friday, October 19th, 2007  \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-tie-ceo-pay-to-worker-pay", "Barbara Lee Introduces Bill to Tie CEO Pay to Worker Pay", "2007-10-16", "2007", "2007-10", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "10.16.07\n\t\t\t Barbara Lee Introduces Bill to Tie CEO Pay to Worker Pay \n\t\t\t\r\n(Washington, DC)  With the gap between the rich and poor reaching its widest point in 70 years, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) today introduced legislation designed to close the pay gap between executives and average workers.The wages of American workers have been stagnant, in real terms, for 30 years, in spite of the growth of the economy and terrific gains in worker productivity, said Lee. Income inequality is back to pre-depression levels, and it is time to put to bed the idea that if we just take care of the wealthy then the rest of the economy will take care of itself.  It's just not true.  It is time to reconnect the economic fortunes of the executive suite with those of the frontline employee, and that is what this bill does. Last year, the average CEO made more in one day than the average worker earned over the entire year. According to an AP survey of executive pay, in 2006, CEOs of large U.S. companies made an average of $10.8 million in total compensation. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average U.S. worker earned $29,544. The ratio of CEO pay to average pay is 364:1 and to minimum wage is 885:1. Lee's legislation would limit the amount of executive compensation corporations can deduct as a legitimate business expense to 25 times the pay of a company's lowest paid worker. If the legislation were in place, companies whose lowest paid employees earned the national average would be able to deduct $738,000 in executive compensation. For companies where the lowest paid employee earns minimum wage, the deductible compensation would be $304,200. Companies that wanted to pay their executives more could still do so by raising the pay of their lowest paid worker, and preserving the tax deduction on executive pay, or by paying taxes on the compensation above 25 times the lowest paid workers wages. According to the Financial Times, a study released earlier this week by the National Association of Corporate Directors found that executives themselves believe that they are overpaid and blamed the lack of objective measures for evaluating executives' performance. Almost two thirds of those surveyed said executives are paid too much. In January, Lee joined with members of the Congressional Black Caucus, Representatives John Conyers (D-MI) and G.K. Butterfield (D-NC), Representative Mike Honda (D-CA) of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus and Representative Joe Baca of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus to form the Congressional Out-of-Poverty Caucus. ------  \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/lee-leads-growing-group-that-will-only-fund-redeployment", "Lee Leads Growing Group That Will Only Fund Redeployment", "2007-10-15", "2007", "2007-10", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "10.15.07\n\t\t\t Lee Leads Growing Group That Will Only Fund Redeployment \n\t\t\t\r\nWashington, DC - As public opposition to President Bush's failed Iraq policy continues to mount, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) led a bi-partisan group of 89 House Members in sending a letter to President Bush to inform him that they will only support appropriating additional funds for Iraq for the protection and safe redeployment of U.S. troops out of Iraq before the end of President Bush's term in office.Last week, Lee released the results of a national poll that found that 70 percent of those surveyed opposed further Iraq funding without conditions: 24 percent favored Congress voting against further funding; 22 percent supported Congress providing funding without condition; and 46 percent supported Congress providing funds, but specifying that they can only be used to protect troops and bring them home. Since the Congress returned in early September, an additional 19 House Members have co-signed an updated letter to President Bush putting him on notice that they will only support appropriating additional funds for U.S. military operations in Iraq during FY08 and beyond for the protection and safe redeployment of U.S. troops out of Iraq before he leaves office. In this updated letter, the broad collection of House Members cited the skyrocketing human and financial costs of the President's failed Iraq policy and warned that the occupation's costs will be felt for generations to come. The original letter which was co-signed by 70 House Members and delivered to the White House in late July was initiated by the Progressive Caucus Co-Chairs  U.S. Reps. Lynn Woolsey (D-CA) and Barbara Lee (D-CA) -- and Out of Iraq Caucus Chair, U.S. Rep. Maxine Waters (D-CA). We are writing to inform you that we will only support appropriating additional funds for U.S. military operations in Iraq during Fiscal Year 2008 and beyond for the protection and safe redeployment of all our troops out of Iraq before you leave office [] We agree with a clear and growing majority of the American people who are opposed to continued, open-ended U.S. military operations in Iraq, and believe it is unwise and unacceptable for you to continue to unilaterally impose these staggering costs and the soaring debt on Americans currently and for generations to come, they wrote. The full text of the letter is below: Dear Mr. President: Seventy House Members wrote in July to inform you that they will only support appropriating additional funds for U.S. military operations in Iraq during Fiscal Year 2008 and beyond for the  protection and safe redeployment of our troops out of Iraq before you leave office.  Now you are requesting an additional $50 billion to sustain your escalation of U.S. military operations in Iraq through next April, on top of the $145 billion you requested for military operations during FY08 in Iraq and Afghanistan. Accordingly, even more of us are writing anew to underscore our opposition to appropriating any additional funds for U.S. military operations in Iraq other than a time-bound, safe redeployment as stipulated above.  More than 3,800 of our brave soldiers have died in Iraq. More than 28,000 have been seriously wounded. Hundreds of thousands of Iraqis have been killed or injured in the hostilities and more than 4 million have been displaced from their homes. Furthermore, this conflict has degenerated into a sectarian civil war and U.S. taxpayers have paid more than $500 billion, despite assurances that you and your key advisors gave our nation at the time you ordered the invasion in March, 2003 that this military intervention would cost far less and be paid from Iraqi oil revenues.  We agree with a clear and growing majority of the American people who are opposed to continued, open-ended U.S. military operations in Iraq, and believe it is unwise and unacceptable for you to continue to unilaterally impose these staggering costs and the soaring debt on Americans currently and for generations to come. Sincerely, September-October additional co-signers:  Rep. Chris Murphy (CT); Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. (IL); Rep. Corrine Brown (FL); Rep. Bennie Thompson (MS); Rep. Mel Watt (NC); Rep. Gregory Meeks (NY); Rep. David Loebsack (IA); Rep. Anthony Weiner (NY); Rep. Dennis Kucinich (OH); Rep. Peter DeFazio (OR); Rep. Sam Farr (CA); Rep. Henry Waxman (D-CA); Rep. Mike Thompson (D-CA); Rep. John Tierney (D-CA); Rep. Lloyd Doggett (D-TX); Rep. Anna Eshoo (D-CA); Rep. Stephanie Tubbs Jones (D-OH); Rep. Richard Neal (D-MA); and Rep. Louise Slaughter (D-NY). July co-signers:  Rep. Lynn Woolsey (CA); Rep. Barbara Lee (CA); Rep. Maxine Waters  (CA); Rep. Ellen Tauscher (CA); Rep. Rush Holt (NJ); Rep. Maurice Hinchey (NY); Rep. Diane Watson (CA); Rep. Ed Pastor (AZ); Rep. Barney Frank (MA); Rep. Danny Davis (IL); Rep. John Conyers (MI); Rep. John Hall (NY); Rep. Bob Filner (CA); Rep. Nydia Velazquez (NY); Rep. Bobby Rush (IL); Rep. Charles Rangel (NY); Rep. Ed Towns (NY); Rep. Paul Hodes (NH); Rep. William Lacy Clay (MO); Rep. Earl Blumenauer (OR); Rep. Albert Wynn (MD); Rep. Bill Delahunt (MA); Rep. Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC); Rep. G. K. Butterfield (NC); Rep. Hilda Solis (CA); Rep. Carolyn Maloney (NY); Rep. Jerrold Nadler (NY); Rep. Michael Honda (CA); Rep. Steve Cohen (TN); Rep. Phil Hare (IL); Rep. Grace Flores Napolitano (CA); Rep. Alcee Hastings (FL); Rep. James McGovern (MA); Rep. Marcy Kaptur (OH); Rep. Jan Schakowsky (IL); Rep. Julia Carson (IN); Rep. Linda Sanchez (CA); Rep. Raul Grijalva (AZ); Rep. John Olver (MA); Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee (TX); Rep. Jim McDermott (WA); Rep. Ed Markey (MA); Rep. Chaka Fattah (PA); Rep. Frank Pallone Jr. (NJ); Rep. Rubin Hinojosa (TX); Rep. Pete Stark (CA); Rep. Bobby Scott (VA); Rep. Jim Moran (VA); Rep. Betty McCollum (MN); Rep. Jim Oberstar (MN); Rep. Diana DeGette (CO); Rep. Stephen Lynch (MA); Rep. Artur Davis (AL); Rep. Hank Johnson (GA); Rep. Donald Payne (NJ); Rep. Emanuel Cleaver (MO); Rep. John Lewis (GA); Rep. Yvette Clarke (NY); Rep. Neil Abercrombie (HI); Rep. Gwen Moore (WI); Rep. Keith Ellison (MN); Rep. Tammy Baldwin (WI); Rep. Donna Christensen (USVI); Rep. David Scott (GA); Rep. Luis Gutierrez (IL); Lois Capps (CA); Steve Rothman (NJ); Elijah Cummings (MD); and Rep. Ron Paul (R-TX). \n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\n \n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://lee.house.gov/news/press-releases/barbara-lees-statement-in-honor-of-hispanic-heritage-month", "Barbara Lees Statement in Honor of Hispanic Heritage Month", "2007-10-12", "2007", "2007-10", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "10.12.07\n\t\t\t Barbara Lee's Statement in Honor of Hispanic Heritage Month \n\t\t\t(Oakland, CA)  Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) released the following statement today in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month:As a proud member of the Tri-Caucus  the coalition of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, Congressional Black Caucus, and the Asian Pacific American Caucus  it is my honor to recognize Hispanic Heritage Month, and its importance to our nation. I'd like to recognize my colleagues in Congress who are part of the Latino community, particularly my colleague from California, Congressman Joe Baca, who currently serves as Chairman of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, and the rest of the CHC members, who advocate for public policy that addresses the needs of all, but especially the Latino community in this country. Currently, there are 30 Hispanic Members of the 110th Congress, the largest amount of any Congress in the history of this nation.   Three of those Members serve in the Senate, and 27 are here in the House, including 7 Latinas. The United States is home to the third largest population of Hispanic people in the world.  As of July 1, 2006, the estimated Hispanic population is 44.3 million, making them the nation's largest ethnic minority.  In fact, Latinos constitute 15 percent of the nation's total population. Hispanics are also the fastest growing minority group, growing at a rate of 3.4 percent in the last year.   Unfortunately, the reality is that despite being a large presence in the United States, a certain percentage of Hispanics suffer from discrimination.  Unfortunately, the ongoing immigration debate, and the negative rhetoric has caused an increase in discrimination and hate crimes against Hispanic Americans across the country. Hispanic families are also disproportionately impacted by poverty, poor healthcare and other social injustices in our country.  We must raise awareness and work towards eliminating these inequalities in not only the Hispanic community, but all of our communities, which is something that as Co-Chairs of the Congressional Out of Poverty Caucus, myself, Congressman Joe Baca, Congressman Mike Honda, Congressman John Conyers, and Congressman G.K. Butterfield are working to do. This year, I introduced and the House and Senate passed H.Con.Res.148, to celebrate the Heritage of Caribbean Americans who are also part of the Hispanic community.  This includes notable Hispanic-Americans such as Celia Cruz, the world renowned queen of Salsa music and Roberto Clemente, baseball legend and the first Latino inducted into the baseball hall of fame.   In addition, I hope to strengthen ties between the United States and the Caribbean countries, which includes some nations that are part of the Hispanic Diaspora.  Through creating important alliances, promoting educational exchanges, my bill H.R.176, the Shirley A. Chisholm United States-Caribbean Educational Exchange Act of 2007, which was passed by the House, will help strengthen that relationship.  At the same time, it will create those partnerships between these nations and Hispanic-serving institutions, as well Historically Black Colleges and Universities. Over the years, I have had the great pleasure to work closely with a number of distinguished leaders from the Hispanic community in my district. Three who most prominently come to mind include Jane Garcia, CEO of La Clinica de la Raza, Gilda Gonzales of the Unity Council, and Patricia Loya of Centro Legal. Before La Clnica de La Raza was established, low-income residents in the East Bay had few options available to them for affordable health care. Now, La Clnica offers comprehensive services including: pediatrics, family medicine, women's health care, mental health services, dental and vision care, and health education. They offer these services regardless of people's ability to pay or lack of insurance coverage. For the past 20 years, under Jane Garcia's leadership, La Clinica has become the largest employer of the Fruitvale area, employing close to 500 full-time staff that are diverse and multi-lingual.  Another extraordinary organization is The Unity Council. Under the leadership of Gilda Gonzalez, the Unity Council has expanded into a prototype for other community organizations, creating innovative programs that help to alleviate and hopefully soon eliminate the poverty in her community.  The Unity Council was founded in 1964 and has been committed to enriching the quality of life of families primarily in the Fruitvale District of Oakland. Its primary focus has been to create a healthier and safer community for families and residents by implementing and managing integrated programs addressing economic, social, and physical development. Gilda Gonzalez has worked tirelessly to lead the Unity Council since the fall of 2004. In 2006, she was named one of the 35 most influential Latinos in the Bay Area by the San Francisco Hispanic Chamber.  In 2005, she was selected as one of the 40 under 40 by the San Francisco Business Times.  Centro Legal was founded in 1969 as a comprehensive legal service and community development agency.  Their mission is to protect and advance the rights of immigrant, low-income and Latino communities through bilingual legal representation, education, community organizing and advocacy.  Under Patricia Loya's leadership, Centro Legal has flourished by combining quality legal services with movement building activities, education and social services. These three women have worked tirelessly to address social and economic issues in my district. They exemplify what it means to provide service and leadership in their community. They have and continue to devote themselves to improving the lives of Oakland's Latino community, and I owe a great debt of gratitude for the contributions that they have made over the years. Latinos are very much a part of our history as any other community.  Their honorable contributions to our diverse culture are admirable and I am proud to recognize their work.  I look forward to continuing to work with them and others to eliminate the inequalities members of the Hispanic community still face, whether they are recent immigrants or fourth generation citizens, and to help realize the American Dream that all are able to achieve success no matter the color of our skin, or religion or orientation. ------", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://lee.house.gov/news/press-releases/barbara-lees-statement-in-support-of-the-national-affordable-housing-trust-fund", "Barbara Lees Statement in Support of the National Affordable Housing Trust Fund", "2007-10-11", "2007", "2007-10", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "10.11.07\n\t\t\t Barbara Lee's Statement in Support of the National Affordable Housing Trust Fund \n\t\t\t(Washington, DC)  Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) issued the following statement in support of the National Affordable Housing Trust Fund Act, which was approved by the House by a vote of 264-148:As a former member of the Financial Services Committee, I helped author  along with our colleague Bernie Sanders and others  the first housing trust fund bill.  I am so very pleased that our two great champions of housing, Chairwoman Waters and Chairman Frank have continued this legacy to bring this proposal before us today. Quite frankly it's a real shame that in America we have so many people who have found the goal of simply finding shelter for themselves and their families so elusive. I know that in my district in Oakland, where more than half of all renters are unable to afford the cost of a 2 bedroom apartment, many low-income families often have to choose between food or medicine and housing. This doesn't have to be the case.  That's why this legislation is crucial.  By producing, rehabilitating, and preserving 1.5 million housing units over the next 10 years, this legislation will take steps to end the affordable housing crisis in our country. By allocating up to $1 billion annually this bill will address one of the most serious social and economic problems facing our nation. By passing this bill 75 percent of all funds will be used to benefit families at the poverty line or 30 percent of local area median income, bringing meaningful assistance to those most at need. I urge my colleagues to support this important bill that will move our nation forward in ensuring that all Americans have a decent place to live.\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-legislation-to-strengthen-health-infrastructure-in-africa", "Barbara Lee Introduces Legislation to Strengthen Health Infrastructure in Africa", "2007-10-09", "2007", "2007-10", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "10.09.07\n\t\t\t Barbara Lee Introduces Legislation to Strengthen Health Infrastructure in Africa \n\t\t\t(Washington, DC)  Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) introduced legislation today aimed at strengthening public health infrastructure in African countries by addressing the chronic shortage of health workers.The unfortunate reality is that global health programs dealing with issues like AIDS, TB and malaria are pulling health professionals away from already fragile public health systems, said Lee. We need to ensure that success in fighting diseases like AIDS, TB and malaria doesn't erode the basic public health capacity in these countries. While it is home to 11 percent of the world's population, sub-Saharan Africa bears 24 percent of the global burden of disease but employs only 3 percent of the global health workforce. A shortage of health workers is directly linked to a decline in the survival rates of women during childbirth and children in infancy. Additionally, the shortage of health workers is one of the leading obstacles to fighting HIV/AIDS in Africa. Lee's legislation, the African Health Capacity Investment Act of 2007, will address the health worker shortage and infrastructure deficiencies in sub-Saharan African countries by authorizing $150 million in FY08 to develop and implement a strategy that coordinates programs to:   Address training, recruiting and retention concerns, especially in rural areas, for doctors, nurses, and paraprofessionals; Develop better institutional management; Increase productivity, reduce corruption, and build public health infrastructure; and Improve dangerous and sub-standard working conditions.   The bill is a companion to S. 805, originally introduced by Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Senator Norm Coleman (R-MN) in March and approved by the Senate Foreign Relations Committee in September.For every $100 million that we invest in health capacity, we can train 2,300 new physicians or nearly 5,000 new nurses and improve working conditions to help stem the tide of African trained health workers emigrating abroad, said Lee. Lee, who serves on the Appropriations Subcommittee on Foreign Operations, has been a leader on global health issues, particularly in relation to HIV/AIDS and Africa. She was a coauthor of the bipartisan legislation that established the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) as well as the Global AIDS and Tuberculosis Relief Act of 2000, which established the framework for the Global Fund to Fight HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria. In 2005, she successfully passed legislation to focus U.S. foreign assistance on the impact of AIDS on orphans and vulnerable children in developing countries. ------  \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-new-poll-shows-strong-opposition-to-unconditional-iraq-funding-support-for-funding-redeployment", "Barbara Lee: New Poll Shows Strong Opposition to Unconditional Iraq Funding, Support for Funding Redeployment", "2007-10-09", "2007", "2007-10", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "10.09.07\n\t\t\t Barbara Lee: New Poll Shows Strong Opposition to Unconditional Iraq Funding, Support for Funding Redeployment \n\t\t\t\r\n(Washington, DC)  On the fifth Anniversary of the House vote to authorize the use of force against Iraq, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) called on colleagues in Congress to support efforts to use the appropriations process to end the Bush administration's policy in Iraq, citing new national polling data that shows strong opposition to providing further Iraq funding without conditions, and broad support for providing funds only for the purpose of redeploying troops. She was joined at a press conference on Capitol Hill by a number of the 87 members of Congress who have signed a letter, being circulated by Lee and Representatives Lynn Woolsey (D-CA) and Maxine Waters (D-CA), saying that the only Iraq funding they will vote for would be for redeployment. The following is her statement as delivered:Thank you for being here with us this morning. I would also like to thank my colleagues for joining me today, and for their leadership in the effort to end the occupation of Iraq and to bring our troops home. Five years ago today, over my strong objections and the objections of my colleagues, Congress voted to authorize the use of force against Iraq. On this sad anniversary, I have to wonder what would have happened if the House had approved the amendment that I offered that would have allowed the UN inspectors to finish their jobs. If it had passed, the inspectors would have made clear what we believed then and the world now knows, namely that there were no weapons of mass destruction in Iraq. Five years later, the President's failed policy in Iraq has not only claimed the lives of more than 3,800 brave servicemen and women, with more than 27,000 wounded, as well as the lives of countless Iraqis civilians, it has not only cost us more than $400 billion, with the President poised to ask for $200 billion more and no end in sight - the invasion and occupation of Iraq has undermined our nation's security and the security of the world. We are here today to say not only that Congress has the power to end the President's failed policy in Iraq, but that the American people support us doing so.   The President wants to pretend that Congress' only choice is to provide the funds he has requested unconditionally or 'cut off funding for our troops.' That's just not true. We can use our constitutionally mandated appropriations power to end his failed policy, to protect our troops and to bring them home. We have the power to fully fund redeployment, and that is what we must do. During the debate on the supplemental, when I first proposed the idea of fully funding redeployment, we found that some people were unclear about the concept. The fact is that while there has been a lot of public opinion polling done about Iraq, no one has thus far asked people what they think Congress should do about additional funding, and specifically, how they feel about Congress using our appropriations power to end the President's failed policy by proving the funding to protect our troops and bring them home. That is why we worked with a well-known pollster to ask people that question, and I would like to share the results with you today. Our poll, which reached 1,000 people nationwide, asked them the following - \"President Bush wants Congress to approve a $200 billion dollar request to continue funding the Iraq war and keep the troops in Iraq. Should Congress: vote against the $200 billion funding request; vote for the $200 billion funding request without conditions; or vote for the $200 billion funding request, but specify that it can be used ONLY to protect US troops and contractors and bring them home, rather than to continue the war.\" We found that fully 70 percent of those surveyed rejected giving the President further funding for Iraq without conditions, and people favored requiring funds be spent on redeployment over providing the administration funds without conditions by a two to one margin. Twenty four percent of respondents supported voting against the funding, 22 percent supported unconditional funding and 46 percent supported providing funding only for redeployment. Eight percent responded \"don't know\". Results were similar among registered voters. So with the support of the American people, we are going to continue to build support in Congress for fully funding redeployment. In July I joined with my colleagues Representatives Lynn Woolsey and Maxine Waters in sending a letter to President, signed by 67 other members of Congress, saying that the only funding we would vote for is funding to protect our troops and bring them home. We recently reopened that letter and the number of signers is up to 87, and we hope to add more before we send the letter next week. The truth is that the President's stay-the-course policy provides an exit strategy for him at the expense of our troops. It allows him to run out the clock on his failed policy and slip out the back door to leave the American people holding the bag. How many of our troops should die so the President can save face?  How big a mortgage should we take out on our children's future so the President can avoid admitting he was wrong? The President is not going to take responsibility for his failed policy, so Congress must, and the best way for us to do that is to fully fund the safe, timely, responsible redeployment of our troops and contractors from Iraq. ------    \n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\n \n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://lee.house.gov/news/press-releases/barbara-lee-hosts-immigration-town-halls-in-fruitvale-and-chinatown", "Barbara Lee Hosts Immigration Town Halls in Fruitvale and Chinatown", "2007-10-05", "2007", "2007-10", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "10.05.07\n\t\t\t Barbara Lee Hosts Immigration Town Halls in Fruitvale and Chinatown \n\t\t\t(Oakland, CA)  Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) hosted town hall meetings on immigration issues in Oakland's Chinatown  and Fruitvale districts on Saturday to discuss the status of immigration reform in Congress and to provide resources to constituents seeking assistance on immigration-related issues.At both events, Lee talked about the politicization of the immigration debate, and her support for comprehensive immigration reform, and encouraged attendees to avail themselves of the free assistance and resources available at the event. Immigrants built this nation, and their contributions are a proud part of our heritage. I believe that Congress should be working to implement an immigration policy that lives up to that heritage and the promise of opportunity that our nation has always stood for, said Lee. I will be working with my colleagues, like Congressman Luis Gutierrez  who is one of our progressive leaders on the issue of immigration in Congress, and who has visited our district to talk about the issue  to try to kick start the process, and start us moving forward towards comprehensive immigration reform again. At the Fruitvale event, speakers included Carlton Yue of the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services San Francisco Asylum Office, Arnold Garcia of the National Network for Immigration Rights and Refugee Rights, Nora Privatera from the Immigrant Legal Resource Center, David Lunas of Centro Legal and the law firm of Lunas and Lampton and Gerald Lenior of the Black Alliance for Just Immigration. At the Chinatown event, speakers included Rosemary Fan from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), Mark Silverman from the Immigrant Legal Resource Center and Joren Lyons from the Asian Law Caucus. The event also included representatives from the Catholic Charities of the East Bay, and the Oakland Chinatown Chamber of Commerce. At both events, experts were on hand to provide free legal consultation, as well as immigration-related materials in English, Spanish and Chinese. ------  \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-blasts-bush-schip-veto", "Barbara Lee Blasts Bush SCHIP Veto", "2007-10-04", "2007", "2007-10", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "10.04.07\n\t\t\t Barbara Lee Blasts Bush SCHIP Veto \n\t\t\t(Oakland, CA)  Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) issued the following statement in response to President Bush's veto of the expansion of the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP):I am deeply saddened by the President's incomprehensible decision to deny health care to millions of American children who need it badly. Apparently, the President feels that funding this critical program for five years is not worth the cost, even as he spends the same amount to continue the occupation of Iraq for three months. Americans want this bill. They want health care for their children. The President's veto is contemptuous of both the health of America's children and the will of the American people, and I will be a proud member of the effort to override this veto in the coming weeks. ------  \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-lees-statement-in-support-of-unionized-security-guards", "Barbara Lees Statement in Support of Unionized Security Guards", "2007-10-02", "2007", "2007-10", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "10.02.07\n\t\t\t Barbara Lee's Statement in Support of Unionized Security Guards \n\t\t\t(Oakland, CA)  Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) issued the following statement on Wednesday in support of unionized security guards who are engaged in protracted contract talks with several private security firms in the Bay Area:I am deeply concerned that the predominately African American Security Guard force does not earn a living wage.  Like all workers, they should be able to provide the quality of life for their families that they deserve.  I hope that the management of these firms engage in meaningful contract negotiations that will bring about a fair and equitable solution to this labor dispute.  ###  \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-to-hold-fruitvale-town-hall-on-immigration", "Barbara Lee to Hold Fruitvale Town Hall on Immigration", "2007-09-30", "2007", "2007-09", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "09.30.07\n\t\t\t Barbara Lee to Hold Fruitvale Town Hall on Immigration \n\t\t\t\r\n(Oakland, CA)  Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) will host a town hall meeting on immigration issues in Oakland's Fruitvale district featuring representatives from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), the Spanish Speaking Citizens Foundation and other community-based organizations.  Experts will be on hand to provide free legal consultation, and immigration-related materials will be provided in Spanish.WHO: Congresswoman Barbara Lee, representatives from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, the Spanish Speaking Citizens Foundation, and leaders from various community-based organizations WHAT: Town hall meeting on immigration WHERE: Carmen Flores Community Center  1637 Fruitvale Ave., Oakland, CA     WHEN: 10:30 am  Saturday, Oct. 6, 2007 ###   \n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\n \n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://lee.house.gov/news/press-releases/barbara-lee-to-host-chinatown-town-hall-on-immigration", "Barbara Lee to Host Chinatown Town Hall on Immigration", "2007-09-30", "2007", "2007-09", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "09.30.07\n\t\t\t Barbara Lee to Host Chinatown Town Hall on Immigration \n\t\t\t\r\n(Oakland, CA)  Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) will host a town hall meeting on immigration issues in Oakland's Chinatown district featuring representatives from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, Immigration Legal Resource Center, the Asian Law Caucus, the Catholic Charities of the East Bay, the Asian Pacific Environmental Network, Filipinos for Affirmative Action, and the Oakland Chinatown Chamber of Commerce. Experts will be on hand to provide free legal consultation, and immigration-related materials will be provided in Chinese.WHO: Congresswoman Barbara and representatives from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, Immigration Legal Resource Center, the Asian Law Caucus, the Catholic Charities of the East Bay, the Asian Pacific Environmental Network, Filipinos for Affirmative Action, and the Oakland Chinatown Chamber of Commerce WHERE: Lincoln Elementary School  225 11th Street, Oakland, CA     WHEN: 9:30 am  Saturday, October 6, 2007 ###\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-calls-for-national-commitment-to-end-the-aids-epidemic-in-black-america", "Barbara Lee Calls for National Commitment to End the AIDS Epidemic in Black America", "2007-09-24", "2007", "2007-09", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "09.24.07\n\t\t\t Barbara Lee Calls for National Commitment to End the AIDS Epidemic in Black America \n\t\t\t\r\n(Washington, DC)  Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) and other members of the Congressional Black Caucus joined representatives from the Black AIDS Institute for a press conference on Capitol Hill today for the release of the institute's new report on the state of AIDS in Black America.  The following is her statement (as prepared):Let me first begin by thanking Phill Wilson and the Black AIDS Institute for organizing this important press conference this morning.  The Black AIDS Institute has long been a leader in the fight against HIV/AIDS in our community.  Their motto Our People, Our Problem, Our Solution' is a real testament to the fact that ultimately we can and we must control our own destiny when it comes to HIV/AIDS. I'm proud to join the Black AIDS Institute, The National Black Leadership Commission on AIDS, the Balm in Gilead and all my colleagues in calling for: a mass mobilization to end the AIDS epidemic; testing for one million African Americans by December 1, 2008; national AIDS plan for the United States; and to announce the release of a new report on the State of AIDS in Black America. As the new report from the Black AIDS Institute points out, among young people, among women, and among men, in the United States African Americans are the most at risk of getting infected with HIV, of developing AIDS, and of dying of this disease. The unfortunate reality is that to be black in America is to be at greater risk of HIV/AIDS. In my district in Alameda County over 6,800 cases of AIDS have been diagnosed since 1980, and nearly 4,000 people have died.  Of those numbers African Americans represent well over 40 percent of the cumulative AIDS cases and AIDS deaths in the county.  Latinos represent around 10 percent of all AIDS cases and about 9 percent of all deaths, and Asian Pacific Islanders represent about 3 percent of all AIDS cases. In 1998, after we saw the devastation that HIV/AIDS was causing, we became the first county in the nation to declare a State of Emergency in the African American community. Unfortunately we still have much to do, and that's why we are here to today  to say enough is enough. As a community we must band together to take care of ourselves but also to make our voices heard and to demand action on the part of our government.  Last August at the International AIDS Conference in Toronto I joined Julian Bond, the NAACP, the Black AIDS Institute, and many others in signing the National Call to Action and Declaration of Commitment to End the AIDS Epidemic in Black America.  Together we all pledged to stand in solidarity and break the silence on HIV/AIDS in our community. Now we must follow through on this declaration. Already earlier this year, the House unanimously passed a resolution I authored in support of National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day. Our next priority is to ensure that we fully fund the Ryan White CARE Act, and the Minority AIDS Initiative.  We need to provide at least $610 million for the Minority AIDS Initiative this year. As a member of the House Appropriations Committee I've been working with my colleagues to ensure that we get the highest possible funding level as we complete our appropriations work for fiscal year 2008.   At the same time we've also got to go further and get at the factors that are ultimately driving this epidemic among the African American community. Poverty and discrimination, lack of affordable housing, the disproportionate rates of incarceration among black men, poor access to care and limited cultural competency for health providers  all of these deserve our attention and deserve action. We can start to get at one of these factors by ending the head-in-the-sand approach to HIV prevention that is turning our prisons into a breeding ground for this disease. This week we will move one step closer to that goal by passing Maxine Waters' bill, the Stop AIDS in Prisons Act. But we also need to pass my bill, H.R. 178 the JUSTICE Act, to allow condoms in our prisons and to demand accountability in stopping the spread of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections among incarcerated persons. While we must do our part in Congress by passing these bills, we've also got to work with advocates and health providers in the community to do the basics  raise awareness, get tested, and get active in our communities. The simplest thing that all of us can do is to get tested.  When we get tested, we lead by example.  That's why last year I helped organize an HIV testing day where many of my colleagues in the CBC got publicly tested. It's simple, it's quick, and it's confidential, and all of us can do it. This is not an ideological issue.  It is a moral and humanitarian call for equality and justice, and all of us must do our part.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://lee.house.gov/news/press-releases/barbara-lee-condemns-denial-of-bail-in-jena-six-case", "Barbara Lee Condemns Denial of Bail in Jena Six Case", "2007-09-21", "2007", "2007-09", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "09.21.07\n\t\t\t Barbara Lee Condemns Denial of Bail in Jena Six Case \n\t\t\t(Oakland, CA)  Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) issued the following statement in response to the news that a Louisiana judge denied bail Friday for Mychal Bell, the only one of the Jena six teens who is jailed in the beating of a white classmate:The denial of bail for Mychal Bell is yet another outrage in a case that has been a travesty of justice.  This is another example of the institutional racism in our criminal justice system, and it is unacceptable.  As I said before, if we are ever to overcome the tragic legacy of racism in this nation, we have a duty to our young people to see to it that the principle of equal justice is upheld, and in this case, at the very least that means allowing Mychal Bell should be out on bail so that he can be with his family. ###\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-lees-statment-in-support-of-the-jena-6", "Barbara Lee's Statment in Support of the Jena 6", "2007-09-19", "2007", "2007-09", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "09.19.07\n\t\t\t Barbara Lee's Statment in Support of the Jena 6 \n\t\t\t(Washington, DC)  As protests took place in Jena, LA and Washington, DC in support of six black teenagers initially charged with attempted murder after a school yard fight with a white classmate, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) issued the following statement in support of the Jena Six:The injustice in the case of the six young people from Jena, Louisiana is disgraceful, and it is unacceptable.  I commend the protests taking place today in Louisiana and on Capitol Hill, and I add my voice to those demanding justice for the Jena six.  I believe that we have come too far from the days of Jim Crow to tolerate this type of racist miscarriage of justice. If we are ever to overcome the tragic legacy of racism in this nation, we have a duty to our young people to see to it that the principle of equal justice is upheld.  If we truly believe in our nation's principle of equality before the law, then we have to make sure that everyone, regardless of race, is held equal before the law. ###\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-convenes-hearing-on-insurgency-in-iraq", "Barbara Lee Convenes Hearing on Insurgency in Iraq", "2007-09-18", "2007", "2007-09", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "09.18.07\n\t\t\t Barbara Lee Convenes Hearing on Insurgency in Iraq \n\t\t\t(Washington, DC)  Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland), Co-Chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus (CPC) and a leader in the effort to end the occupation of Iraq, co-chaired a CPC hearing on Iraq today. The hearing featured testimony from Dr. William Polk, one of our nation's leading Iraq and Middle East experts, and author of Violent Politics: A History of Insurgency, Terrorism, & Guerilla War from the American Revolution to Iraq.  The following is her opening statement (as prepared):Thank you, Congresswoman Lynn Woolsey.  I'd like to welcome Dr. Polk to this Town Hall on Iraq this morning.  We truly appreciate your time and effort to join us here today to talk about the issues discussed in your new book, Violent Politics: A History of Insurgency, terrorism, guerrilla war, from the American Revolution to Iraq. Your presentation is very timely as the occupation of Iraq approaches its fifth year and this administration continues to deny the reality that the situation on the ground will not improve until the occupation ends and US troops come home. But the fact is, all the talk about military progress in Iraqespecially in the wake of the president's address last week--only serves as a distractiona smokescreenfrom the basic, fundamental fact that there is no military solution to the situation in Iraq.  Our troops are trapped in a civil war and occupation, a situation where there can be no victory.  Our continued presence there is not only breaking our military, it is undermining our national security and efforts to fight international terrorism.   Despite the Bush administration's efforts to frame it as a issue of victory' and defeat,' the fact remains that the redeployment of US troops form Iraq a precondition to restoring our national security, our efforts to fight international terrorism, and putting us on a path toward a foreign policy that provides real solution for global peace and security. Redeployment is a precondition for engaging Iraq's neighbors and the international community in a regional stability plan.  We have a moral obligation to help rebuild Iraq, but neither Iraq's neighbors nor the international community will truly engage in a regional stability plan as long as they believe that the US intends to maintain an indefinite occupation. Redeployment is a precondition for any successful effort to combat global terrorism.  The U.S. occupation of Iraq has become a rallying point for the insurgents in Iraq and greatly aids in their recruiting and fundraising. That's why I believe that your testimony today comes at a critical juncture in the debate before us in Congress on how to end our occupation of Iraq and bring peace and stability to Iraq.   It's in understanding the nature of such insurgencies as the one our brave men and women are facing daily that will allow Congress to see that the only solution to the situation in Iraq is what my colleagues Congresswoman Lynn Woolsey and Congresswoman Maxine Waters call fully funded redeployment.   Specifically, we believe that Congress should only provide the money necessary to fully fund the safe, timely and responsible redeployment of troops and contractors from Iraq. I look forward to hearing from you your well considered opinion on the nature of the insurgency in Iraq, how our presence there fuels the very insurgency our courageous troops are seeking to defeat, and how the perception that we are going remain in Iraq indefinitely provides a powerful recruiting tool and fundraising opportunity.   Thank you again for being with us here today. \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-for-homeownership-promotion-borrower-protection-bill", "Barbara Lee Speaks Out for Homeownership Promotion, Borrower Protection Bill", "2007-09-17", "2007", "2007-09", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "09.17.07\n\t\t\t Barbara Lee Speaks Out for Homeownership Promotion, Borrower Protection Bill \n\t\t\t(Washington, DC)  Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) spoke out in favor of legislation designed promote homeownership, protect borrowers and help those impacted by the sub-prime mortgage crisis during debate today on the House floor.  The Expanding American Homeownership Act of 2007 passed by a vote of 348-72.  The following is her statement (as prepared):I want to thank Chairman Frank and Chairwoman Waters for their leadership and commitment to revitalize the FHA and provide critical assistance to those who have been affected by the current mortgage crisis. Madam Speaker, this is a crisis that could have been avoided and as we are seeing, it is reverberating not only across our country but across the world. Many hardworking Americans were lured into a fantasy universe where predatory mortgages were offered at low rates and even lower payments by unscrupulous lenders. Now, reality has kicked in.  And those most affected are the elderly, single parents and minorities. This bill is an important first step toward helping Americans who have been caught up in this nightmare.  For instance, current FHA rules prevent the FHA from making loans beyond the local median home price.  This bill will increase loan limits to make FHA relevant in these areas.  This is a crucial fix which will provide assistance in high price markets like mine in the 9th congressional district of California. This bill also addresses other important issues dealing with home ownership.  For example: coming up with a sufficient down payment to qualify for a loan.  With a good job and a good credit, this requirement should be easily met but isn't always the case. This bill addresses this point by authorizing a zero or lower down payment on loans for borrowers that can afford mortgage payments. Finally, by providing increased funding for housing counseling, this bill helps to ensure that those who achieve the American dream of owning a home can keep it. Madam Speaker this is an important bill for an entire generation of new homeowners. I urge my colleagues to support it. ###  \n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\n \n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://lee.house.gov/news/press-releases/barbara-lee-exit-plan-for-bush-comes-at-the-expense-of-our-troops", "Barbara Lee:  Exit Plan for Bush Comes at the Expense of Our Troops", "2007-09-12", "2007", "2007-09", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "09.12.07\n\t\t\t Barbara Lee:  Exit Plan for Bush Comes at the Expense of Our Troops \n\t\t\t(Oakland, CA)  As President Bush prepares to announce that he will return the number of troops in Iraq to pre-surge levels by July of 2008 in a televised address to the nation, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) issued the following statement:Tonight the President will make his case for more of the same stay-the-course strategy that puts us on a path for at least 10 years of occupation in Iraq. It is time to call this what it is  an exit strategy for President Bush at the expense of our troops.  It's the President's plan to run out the clock on his failed policy, to move the goalposts once again, so that he can sneak out the backdoor and leave the American people holding the bag. Well let me ask you: how many of our troops should die so the President can save face?  How many billions of our tax dollars should we spend so the President can avoid admitting his policy has failed? It is clear he won't take responsibility to end his failed policy, which means that members of Congress are going to have a choice to make. Are they going to stand with the President, and an open-ended occupation that sacrifices our troops' lives so he can save face?  Or are they going to act to bring his disastrous policy to a responsible  and long overdueconclusion.   The choice is simple.  Congress should not provide another dime for the President's failed policy.  Instead, we should provide the money necessary to fully fund the safe, timely and responsible redeployment of troops and contractors from Iraq. ###  \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-petraeus-walks-in-powells-footsteps", "Barbara Lee: Petraeus Walks in Powells Footsteps", "2007-09-10", "2007", "2007-09", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "09.10.07\n\t\t\t Barbara Lee: Petraeus Walks in Powell's Footsteps \n\t\t\t(Oakland, CA)  Congresswoman Barbara Lee issued the following statement in response to the testimony today of General David Petraeus before a joint session of the House Armed Services and Foreign Affairs Committees:I am afraid that with his testimony today, General David Petraeus may be following in the footsteps of former Secretary of State Colin Powell and I fear that he may face the same fate, namely that of respected military man whose credibility is forever tarnished for propping up the Bush administration's disastrous policy in Iraq. In fact, the White House's effort to buy more time for the President's surge policy is premised on the credibility of General Petraeus himself, and not the string of cherry-picked numbers being deployed this week.  If the Pentagon or the administration had any confidence in the numbers that ostensibly show progress  which have been contradicted by every other independent assessment  they would release the data and the methodology used for arriving at them.  It is telling that they have not. The debate about alleged military progress in Iraq is a distraction  a smokescreen  that only serves to obscure the basic, fundamental fact that there is no military solution to the situation in Iraq. Our troops are trapped in a civil war and occupation, a situation where there can be no victory.' Our continued presence there is not only breaking our military, it is undermining our national security and our efforts to fight international terrorism. Congress has the power to end to the Bush administration's failed policy in Iraq. We should not approve another penny to continue that policy.  Instead, we should use our constitutionally-mandated appropriations power to provide all the money necessary to fully fund the safe, timely and responsible redeployment of our troops and contractors from Iraq. ###\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-lees-statement-on-the-sixth-anniversary-of-9/11", "Barbara Lees Statement on the Sixth Anniversary of 9/11", "2007-09-10", "2007", "2007-09", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "09.10.07\n\t\t\t Barbara Lee's Statement on the Sixth Anniversary of 9/11 \n\t\t\t(Oakland, CA)    Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) issued the following statement on the sixth anniversary of the terrorist attacks of September 11th, 2001:Today, we commemorate the sixth anniversary of the terrible terrorist attacks of September 11th, 2001.  We remember the men, women and children who lost their lives that day and we honor the courage and the heroism of our first responders and those who put themselves in harm's way to help others. This anniversary is also a time to reflect on the values that define us and separate us from terrorists, values like liberty, democracy, tolerance, freedom of expression and respect for the rule of law. It is also an appropriate to recognize just how misguided the Bush administration's response to those attacks has been.  Six years later, Osama bin Laden is still at large while our military is pinned down in a civil war in a country that had nothing to do with the attacks in an occupation that serves as a rallying point for terrorist recruitment and fundraising.  It is clear that this is a policy that is making our nation less safe, not more safe, and the first step towards a policy that effectively combats global terrorism is to end the occupation of Iraq. ###  \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-votes-to-provide-historic-increase-in-college-financial-aid-for-students-and-families", "Barbara Lee Votes to Provide Historic Increase in College Financial Aid for Students and Families", "2007-09-06", "2007", "2007-09", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "09.06.07\n\t\t\t Barbara Lee Votes to Provide Historic Increase in College Financial Aid for Students and Families \n\t\t\t\r\nDemocratic Congress Makes Good on Promise to Make College More Affordable For All Americans    (Washington, DC)  Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland), who sits on the Appropriations Subcommittee that oversees federal education spending, today joined a majority in the House to vote for final passage of legislation that would make the single largest investment in college financial aid since the 1944 GI Bill, helping millions of students and families pay for college  and doing so at no new cost to U.S. taxpayers. The bill, the College Cost Reduction and Access Act, now goes to the President's desk for his signature.This historic legislation will help make the promise of a college education a reality for millions of American students and families for whom it was previously out of reach, said Lee.  This vote is emblematic of the Democratic Party's commitment to increasing access to opportunity and rolling back the Republican policies that have kept opportunities like college education unattainable for too many Americans. The College Cost Reduction and Access Act combines key elements from House and Senate bills that were passed in July. The legislation, H.R. 2669, which the House passed by an overwhelming bipartisan vote of 292-97, would boost college financial aid by more than $20 billion over the next five years. The bill pays for itself by reducing excessive federal subsidies paid to lenders in the college loan industry by $20.9 billion. It also includes $750 million in federal budget deficit reduction.  Under the legislation, the maximum value of the Pell Grant scholarship would increase by $1,090 over the next five years, reaching $5,400 by 2012. This increase would fully restore the purchasing power of the scholarship, which in recent years had been frozen at $4,050 until Congress boosted its value to $4,310 earlier this year. Close to 6 million low- and moderate-income students would benefit from this increase.  To reduce the cost of loans for millions of student borrowers, the legislation would cut interest rates in half on need-based student loans, from 6.8 percent to 3.4 percent over the next four years. Once fully phased-in, this would save the typical student borrower  with $13,800 in need-based student loan debt  $4,400 over the life of the loan. About 6.8 million students take out need-based loans each year. In addition, the legislation would prevent student borrowers from facing unmanageable levels of federal student debt by guaranteeing that borrowers will never have to spend more than 15 percent of their yearly discretionary income on loan repayments and by allowing borrowers in economic hardship to have their loans forgiven after 25 years. California students and families are slated to receive an increase of $3,034,928,000 in loan and Pell Grant aid over the next five years.  California has 228,489 students who take out need-based loans each year at 4-year public schools.  Those students have an average of $15,125 in debt and will receive an average savings of $4,830 over the over the life of the loan at 4-year school as a result of the interest rate cuts in the legislation. The College Cost Reduction and Access Act also includes a number of other provisions that would ease the financial burden imposed on students and families by the cost of college, including:   Tuition assistance for excellent undergraduate students who agree to teach in the nation's public schools; Loan forgiveness after 10 years of public service and loan repayment for college graduates that go into vital public service jobs; Landmark investments in Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Hispanic Serving Institutions and other minority serving institutions; and Strategies to help colleges contain costs and make online information on college costs for students and parents more user friendly.  Earlier this year, Lee worked with her colleagues on the Labor, Health and Human Services and Education Subcommittee of the Appropriations Committee to craft an education spending bill that was passed by the House that included significant increases for both Pell Grants and No Child Left Behind as well as for after school centers, Safe and Drug Free School grants, drop out prevention programs, mentoring, as well as programs to help young people train for and find jobs.###  \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-joins-experts-in-calling-for-end-to-arming-and-training-iraqi-security-forces", "Barbara Lee Joins Experts in Calling for End to Arming and Training Iraqi Security Forces", "2007-09-04", "2007", "2007-09", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "09.04.07\n\t\t\t Barbara Lee Joins Experts in Calling for End to Arming and Training Iraqi Security Forces \n\t\t\t(Washington, DC)    U.S. Representatives Barbara Lee (D-CA), Maxine Waters (D-CA), Lynn Woolsey (D-CA), Jan Schakowsky (D-IL), Jim Moran (D-VA), Gwen Moore (D-WI), Jerrold Nadler (D-NY) and Sheila Jackson Lee (D-TX) joined former Director of the National Security Agency, General William Odom; former Assistant Secretary of Defense, Dr. Lawrence Korb; and John Bruhns, an Iraq war veteran with Americans Against Escalation in Iraq at a press conference on Capitol Hill today to call for an end to the policy of arming and training Iraqi Security forces.  The following is Congresswoman Lee's statement (as prepared):Despite the Bush administration's rhetoric and photo ops, the fact remains that there is no military solution to the situation in Iraq.  The redeployment of U.S. troops from Iraq is a precondition to restoring our national security and our efforts to fight international terrorism and putting us on a path toward a foreign policy that provides real solutions for global peace and security. Nonetheless, many people who understand that we need to withdraw U.S. troops from Iraq nonetheless seem to feel that we must leave behind a substantial number of troops to train Iraqi forces.   While that may sound to some like a reasonable idea, as our speakers today have attested, the results have been catastrophic. The bottom line is that the civil war that is taking place in Iraq is raging within the very security forces we are arming and training.  The weapons and the expertise we are providing are being used both to kill American forces and Iraqi civilians as well as to to commit acts of terrorism and ethnic cleansing.  This policy only serves to further endanger our troops and pour gasoline on an already out of control civil war. Congresswoman Waters has introduced H.R. 3134, the Responsible Security in Iraq Act to prohibit the use of federal funds for the training equipping of Iraqi Security Forces and civilians. As we work to limit the already extensive damage caused by the administration's failed policies in Iraq, I encourage my colleagues to reconsider the blind commitment to arming and training Iraqi security forces, and to support her bill. Congress has the power to bring an end to the President's failed policy in Iraq by fully funding the safe, timely and responsible redeployment of U.S. troops and contractors.  When we do, let's make sure they all come home.  That means no permanent bases, and it means ending the policy of equipping and training the Iraqi Security forces. ###  \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/house-passes-lee-national-passport-month-resolution", "House Passes Lee National Passport Month Resolution", "2007-09-04", "2007", "2007-09", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "09.04.07\n\t\t\t House Passes Lee National Passport Month Resolution \n\t\t\t\r\n(Washington, DC)    Today, the House unanimously approved a resolution introduced by Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) to promote international travel by calling for the establishment of September as National Passport month.Three quarters of the people in our country do not have passports, which adds up to millions of Americans who are unable to take advantage of the enriching opportunities presented by international travel, said Lee.  International travel helps individuals learn tolerance, understanding and mutual respect for other cultures.  By obtaining a passport and traveling internationally, Americans gain a unique perspective and experience that simply cannot be found here at home.  Establishing National Passport Month will help to promote passports and travel and to educate Americans of all ages about the important role they can play as ambassadors for our country. Lee's resolution puts the House on record in support of the goals and ideals of National Passport Month, and calls on the White House to issue a proclamation formally establishing the month in September.  The resolution was supported by a campaign led by Oakland-based travel publisher Lonely Planet as well as American Express, American Airlines, Council on International Educational Exchange, Fodor's Travel Publications, Geographic Expeditions, Globe Trekker, Lonely Planet Publications, National Geographic Traveler, Outdoor Industry Association and Yahoo!. Applications for passports have gone up over the last year in response to new regulations that now require U.S. citizens to have a passport for travel to Canada, Mexico or the Caribbean.  Nonetheless, according to the U.S. State Department, in spite of the new regulations currently only an estimated 80 million or 25 percent of U.S. citizens have passports.  As of August 15, the department has issued over 15 million passports during FY2007, and expects to issue over 17.5 million in FY2007, five million more than in FY2006 and seven million more than FY2005.  The department is currently issuing over 500,000 passports per week and expects to return to traditional processing time of six weeks for routine applications by the end of FY2007. The House passed a similar resolution, introduced by Lee, in June 2006. ###  \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-responds-to-census-poverty-report", "Barbara Lee Responds to Census Poverty Report", "2007-08-28", "2007", "2007-08", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "08.28.07\n\t\t\t Barbara Lee Responds to Census Poverty Report \n\t\t\tRenews Call for Goal of Cutting Poverty in Half by 2017 (Oakland, CA)    Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland), co-founder of the Congressional Out-of-Poverty Caucus, released the following statement is response to the U.S. Census Bureau's annual report on poverty, which found that the number of people living in poverty in the United States remains unchanged and that the number people without health insurance rose by more than two million: It is completely unacceptable that, in the richest nation in the world, there are almost 37 million people living in poverty, and it is extremely troubling that the President and Congress have not made addressing this issue is not a national priority, said Lee.  This report underscores the degree to which the Bush administration's economic policies have favored the wealthy to the detriment of poor and middle income Americans. In addition to co-founding the Out-of-Poverty Caucus, Lee has introduced a number of measures related to poverty, including most recently a resolution designed to set a national goal of cutting poverty in the U.S. in half over the next ten years. Eradicating poverty needs to be a national priority, and the best way to do that is to set some measurable goals.  If we are serious about this, we need to commit to cutting the number of people living in poverty in this country in half over the next ten years. ### \n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\n \n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://lee.house.gov/news/press-releases/barbara-lee-responds-to-gonzales-resignation", "Barbara Lee Responds to Gonzales Resignation", "2007-08-26", "2007", "2007-08", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "08.26.07\n\t\t\t Barbara Lee Responds to Gonzales Resignation \n\t\t\t(Oakland, CA)    Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) released the following statement in response to the resignation of Attorney General Alberto Gonzales: Attorney General Gonzales' resignation today is long overdue.  During his tenure at the Justice Department, he oversaw an assault on civil rights and an unprecedented effort to turn U.S. Attorneys into a cog in the White House political operation.  His resignation is an opportunity for the President to appoint a new Attorney General, one who will put the protection of the constitution and the rule of law before the political interests of any party or the White House.  His resignation does not, however, resolve the ongoing investigations of wrongdoing conducted at the Justice Department under his watch, and I hope that his successor will work closely with Congress to finally resolve these matters. ### \n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\n \n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://lee.house.gov/news/press-releases/barbara-lees-statement-on-your-black-muslim-bakery", "Barbara Lee's Statement on Your Black Muslim Bakery", "2007-08-09", "2007", "2007-08", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "08.09.07\n\t\t\t Barbara Lee's Statement on Your Black Muslim Bakery \n\t\t\t(Oakland, CA)    In response to constituent and media questions regarding the nature of the casework her office provided to Your Black Muslim Bakery, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) released the following statement today: At the request of representatives of Your Black Muslim Bakery, my office provided a letter to a federal agency related to the bankruptcy. Like many people, I historically supported the Bakery because it has been an important institution in the community, but it is clear that is no longer the case. Knowing what we know now, we would not have provided such support, and we are reviewing our casework intake process in an effort to avoid any such circumstance in the future. The casework our office provided was casework that we would provide to ANY constituent who came into our office.  Our mission has always been to serve ALL of our constituents equally and without preference.  While this instance is an exception, we are in principle uncomfortable with the idea that federal offices should be in the habit of denying casework to anyone. ###   \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-lift-hiv-travel-ban", "Barbara Lee Introduces Bill to Lift HIV Travel Ban", "2007-08-02", "2007", "2007-08", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "08.02.07\n\t\t\t Barbara Lee Introduces Bill to Lift HIV Travel Ban \n\t\t\t(Washington, DC)    Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) introduced legislation that would lift the ban that prevents people living with HIV/AIDS from traveling or immigrating to the United States. It defies reason that, because of this misguided law, we cannot host an international HIV/AIDS conference in this country, said Lee, who has attended every International AIDS Conference since she was elected to Congress in 1998.  This law is unjust and unnecessary and it is time to change it. Under current U.S. immigration law and policy, HIV infection is grounds for barring prospective immigrants, foreign students, refugees, and tourists from entry to the United States.  Currently, the United States is one of only thirteen countries in the entire world, including China, Iraq, Libya, Oman, the Russian Federation, Saudi Arabia, and Sudan, that maintains a formal ban on travel and immigration for HIV positive individuals.   Applicants for temporary admission as non-immigrants such as tourists and foreign students are required to disclose their HIV status when applying for a visa and if questioned may be required to undergo an HIV test.  Applicants for permanent residence as immigrants or refugees must be tested for HIV infection.  Waivers may be issued by the Attorney General on a case by case basis, but if such a waiver is requested, a person's HIV status becomes a permanent part of his or her passport. Under the governing statute, the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) is officially charged with the responsibility of determining which communicable diseases are of public health significance and are therefore grounds for excluding non-citizens from entering or immigrating to the United States.  The original HIV travel and immigration ban was enacted through such a determination in 1987.  However, Congress enacted a formal ban in 1993 in reaction to proposals to de-list HIV/AIDS by both President Bush's HHS Secretary, Louis Sullivan, in 1991 and President Clinton's HHS Secretary, Donna Shalala, in 1993 after they each conducted a public health analysis of the ban. Lee's legislation would repeal the formal ban and return the authority to the Secretary of Health and Human Services to make a determination regarding HIV status as a communicable disease of public health significance.  The bill would then require the Secretary to undertake a review of all existing travel and immigration policies regarding HIV, which would be open to public comment for 30 days, and report to Congress on whether to maintain the ban by regulation or remove it based on a public health analysis. On World AIDS Day, December 1st, 2006, the President proposed streamlining the current waiver process for HIV-positive individuals seeking to enter the United States on short-term business or tourist visas for up to 60 days by granting them a categorical waiver.  However, seven months after this announcement the administration has failed to reach an internal consensus on how the new waiver process for short term visas should work and there are significant doubts that it will ever be implemented. ###   \n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\n \n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://lee.house.gov/news/press-releases/barbara-lees-statement-on-the-death-of-chauncey-bailey", "Barbara Lees Statement on the Death of Chauncey Bailey", "2007-08-02", "2007", "2007-08", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "08.02.07\n\t\t\t Barbara Lee's Statement on the Death of Chauncey Bailey \n\t\t\tBarbara Lee's Statement on the Death of Chauncey Bailey (Washington, DC)    Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) issued the following statement in response to the news that Oakland Post editor Chauncey Bailey was shot and killed in Oakland this morning: I was shocked and saddened to learn of Chauncey Bailey's death this morning.  Chauncey contributed so much to the fabric our community, and our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends, said Lee.  It is my hope that the perpetrators of this horrible crime are brought to justice swiftly, and that Chauncey's untimely death will bring our community together and strengthen our collective hand in rooting out this type of violence. ### \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-bill-sets-goal-of-cutting-poverty-in-half-by-2017", "Barbara Lee Bill Sets Goal of Cutting Poverty in Half by 2017", "2007-08-01", "2007", "2007-08", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "08.01.07\n\t\t\t Barbara Lee Bill Sets Goal of Cutting Poverty in Half by 2017 \n\t\t\t(Washington, DC)    Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland), Co-Chair of the House Out-of-Poverty Caucus, today introduced a resolution designed to set a national goal of cutting poverty in the U.S. in half over the next ten years. It is unacceptable that, in the richest nation in the world, there are 37 million people living in poverty, said Lee.  Eradicating poverty needs to be a national priority, and the best way to do that is to set some measurable goals.  If we are serious about this, we need to commit to cutting the number of people living in poverty in this country in half over the next ten years. Thirty seven million Americans, more than the population of the state of California, are living in poverty in the U.S. today, an increase of five million since 2000. The impact of growing poverty is disproportionately falling on minorities.  Since 2000, median income has declined by 2.1 percent among non-Hispanic whites, by 7.4 percent among blacks, and by 5.9 percent among Hispanics.  Almost one quarter of African Americans and 21.9 percent of Latinos live in poverty, compared to 8.6 percent of non-Hispanic whites and 9.8 percent of Asians. Lee's bill mirrors the goals put forward in a report released in April by the DC-based Center for American Progress, which based its recommendations for cutting poverty on four principles: promoting decent work, providing opportunity for all, ensuring economic security, and helping people build wealth.   The recommendations included: raising the minimum wage and indexing it to inflation, expanding the earned income and child tax credits, promoting unionization by making it easier for employees to vote to join a union, offering child care assistance for low income families, guaranteeing early education for all and providing two million people with opportunity housing vouchers.  The report is available online at: http://www.americanprogress.org/issues/2007/04/poverty_report.html . ### \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-the-nomination-of-judge-leslie-southwick", "Barbara Lee Speaks Out Against the Nomination of Judge Leslie Southwick", "2007-08-01", "2007", "2007-08", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "08.01.07\n\t\t\t Barbara Lee Speaks Out Against the Nomination of Judge Leslie Southwick \n\t\t\t(Washington, DC)    Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) spoke out against the nomination of  Judge Leslie Southwick to the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals at a press conference today on Capitol Hill in response to the Senate Judiciary Committee's vote to approve the nomination: As a Californian and as a person of color, I am doubly disappointed that a Senator from my home state, Senator Feinstein, would vote with the Republicans to bring the Southwick nomination to the Senate floor. Numerous concerns have been raised about Judge Southwick's commitment to equal justice. I have profound concerns about the commitment to equal justice and dignity of anyone who thinks that it is EVER acceptable for someone to refer to someone else using the n-word.' The idea of elevating such a person to the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals is, quite frankly, unacceptable. Given the diversity of the region that the Fifth Circuit represents, given the fact that ALL of the nominees over the last 22 years have been white, given the fact that there is only one black member of the court and he is only the second since the court was created in 1869  given all of these facts, I believe that it is doubly unacceptable to elevate such a person to this court. ### \n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\n \n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://lee.house.gov/news/press-releases/house-passes-lee-bill-to-support-us-caribbean-educational-exchange", "House Passes Lee Bill to Support US - Caribbean Educational Exchange", "2007-07-31", "2007", "2007-07", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "07.31.07\n\t\t\t House Passes Lee Bill to Support US - Caribbean Educational Exchange \n\t\t\t(Washington, DC)    Today, by a vote of 371-55, the House passed a bill introduced by Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) that would strengthen educational exchange between the U.S. and the Caribbean. This bill will establish a mutually beneficial educational exchange between the United States and the Caribbean, and is an important step towards strengthening our relationship with our neighbors, said Lee. The Shirley A. Chisholm US-Caribbean Educational Exchange Act of 2007, H.R. 176, creates two comprehensive educational initiatives targeted toward the Caribbean. The first will establish a system for students in CARICOM nations to study in the US and the second will develop a plan to enhance teacher training, community involvement, and improve the overall primary and secondary education infrastructure in the region. Lee's bill would establish a U.S.-Caribbean educational exchange program for high school, undergraduate and graduate students, and scholars through the State Department.  It would also enable the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) to develop a regional strategy to expand existing early education initiatives, and would allow both State Department and USAID to use public-private partnerships to implement the program.  It also encourages the participation of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU's) and Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSI's).  The bill has the bipartisan support of 57 cosponsors. Lee, who got involved in politics after working on Shirley Chisholm's 1972 presidential campaign, has been a champion of Caribbean issues, including leading the Congressional effort that resulted in June being named as Caribbean American Heritage Month. ### \n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\n \n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://lee.house.gov/news/press-releases/house-passes-lee-darfur-divestment-bill", "House Passes Lee Darfur Divestment Bill", "2007-07-30", "2007", "2007-07", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "07.30.07\n\t\t\t House Passes Lee Darfur Divestment Bill \n\t\t\t(Washington, DC)  Today, by a veto-proof measure of 418-1, the House passed legislation introduced by Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) that would strengthen states rights to divest from international companies whose business in Sudan supports the genocide in Darfur and bar such companies from receiving tax payer funded federal contracts. No one should have to worry that they are supporting genocide, whether it's through their tax dollars or their pension fund, said Lee.  This bill is designed to wash the blood off of our federal contracts, protect the rights of states to divest their own public pension funds from companies doing business in Sudan and increase the financial pressure on Khartoum to end the genocide in Darfur. I am proud of our bipartisan efforts to increase the financial pressure on Khartoum to end the genocide in Darfur, and I want the President to explain why he believes that Americans should not take steps to make sure that our tax dollars and our pension funds are not supporting genocide, Lee added in response to news that President Bush had indicated he would veto the measure. Lee's legislation, which has the bipartisan support of 119 co-sponsors, would bar international companies whose business in Sudan directly or indirectly supports the genocide in Darfur from receiving tax-payer funded federal contracts and would require the Treasury Department to compile and publish a list of such companies. Lee's legislation also protects the right of states to divest public pension funds from such companies, a provision that was included in the House version of the Darfur Peace and Accountability Act, passed in April, but was removed from the Senate version of the bill after serious lobbying from the National Foreign Trade Council. The legislation also provides a Safe Harbor for mutual funds and pensions, allowing them to divest from companies doing business in Sudan without fear of lawsuits, and includes a sunset clause tied to a certification by the President that the genocide has ended and to removal of all U.S. sanctions on Sudan. Earlier this year, two international companies, ABB Inc. and Siemens AG  targeted by divestment campaigns because their business in Sudan is said to support the government-sponsored genocide in Darfur  decided to withdraw their business from the country, due in large part to the introduction of federal divestment legislation. A recent report prepared by the Sudan Divestment Taskforce based on federal procurement data found that in FY06, companies whose business is judged to support the genocide received more than $1 billion in federal contracts.  There is no comprehensive list of companies whose business in Sudan is supporting the genocide, or which of them are receiving or have received federal contracts, a situation Lee's legislation seeks to remedy. Lee, who was arrested for protesting the genocide in front of the Sudanese embassy in Washington in June, 2006, has traveled three times to Darfur, first with Congressional colleagues and academy award nominated actor Don Cheadle in January, 2005; on a delegation led by then-Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi in February, 2006; and on a delegation led by Majority Leader, Steny Hoyer in April, 2007. ### \n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\n \n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://lee.house.gov/news/press-releases/barbara-lees-statement-on-bill-to-ban-permanent-bases", "Barbara Lees Statement on Bill to Ban Permanent Bases", "2007-07-24", "2007", "2007-07", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "07.24.07\n\t\t\t Barbara Lee's Statement on Bill to Ban Permanent Bases \n\t\t\t(Washington, DC)    Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) spoke out in favor of legislation she introduced to prevent permanent military bases in Iraq and bar U.S. control over Iraqi oil resources during debate on the measure on the House floor today. What this legislation does is simple.  It does what the Iraq Study Group and other experts have recommended that we do.  It makes a clear statement of policy that the U.S. does not intend to maintain an open ended military presence in Iraq and that we won't exercise control over Iraqi oil, and it backs that policy up with the power of the purse. Putting Congress on record with this clear statement helps take the targets off our troops' backs and it support our goals of handing over responsibility for security and public safety to Iraqi forces. Mr. Speaker, the perception that the United States plans to maintain a permanent military presence in Iraq strengthens the insurgency and it fuels the violence against our troops. That is why experts ranging from former advisor to the Coalition Provisional Authority, Larry Diamond to the Iraq Study Group have called on the President to make a clear statement of policy that the U.S. does not intend to maintain permanent military bases or an open-ended military presence in Iraq. Unfortunately, the administration has refused to do that.  In fact, there are conflicting accounts as to who will decide if we stay in Iraq permanently.  When the president was asked that question at a press conference last October, he said, Any decisions on permanency in Iraq will be made by the Iraqi government.'  But when Secretary Gates was asked is our presence left up to the Iraqis or do we make the decision?' in testimony before the Senate this February, Secretary Gates said, We will make that decision, sir.' More recently, the administration has further muddied the waters by saying that they envision a United States military presence in Iraq similar to that we have in South Korea,' where American troops have been stationed for more than 50 years, and won't be leaving any time soon. We must soundly reject the vision of an open ended occupation as bad policy that undermines the safety of our troops and recognize it for what it is: another recruiting poster for terrorists. To those who raise objections or want to suggest that this is only a symbolic measure or raise semantic questions about what a permanent base' is, let me say this: This is a serious issue, and I think we all recognize how much is at stake.  The question is simple: do we support an endless occupation, or do we oppose it? We may disagree on many things about Iraq, but I hope we can agree that that an endless occupation is not the answer.  Let's make that commitment today.  Let's put the so-called Korea-model to bed.  Let's tell our troops that when they come home, they will all come home.  Let's pass this legislation. Lee's bill, H.R. 2929, declares that it is the policy of the United States not to establish any military installation or base for the purpose of providing for the permanent stationing of United States Armed Forces in Iraq and not to exercise United States control of the oil resources of Iraq and prohibits the use of funds for these purposes. Lee, who first introduced legislation to bar permanent bases in June, 2005, has led efforts to attach base related amendments to spending and authorization bills.  The House passed Lee's amendment barring permanent bases to the FY06 Iraq supplemental, but it was stripped out of the bill in conference committee.  Subsequently, Congress passed amendments to the FY07 Defense Authorization bill, Defense Appropriations bill and Iraq supplemental, all of which became law.  This year the House has passed similar amendments for the Fy08 Defense Authorization bill and Foreign Operations Appropriations bill. ### \n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\n \n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://lee.house.gov/news/press-releases/house-passes-lee-bill-to-ban-permanent-bases-in-iraq", "House Passes Lee Bill to Ban Permanent Bases in Iraq", "2007-07-24", "2007", "2007-07", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "07.24.07\n\t\t\t House Passes Lee Bill to Ban Permanent Bases in Iraq \n\t\t\t(Washington, DC)    Today, by a vote of 399-24, the House passed legislation introduced by Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) to prevent permanent military bases in Iraq and bar U.S. control over Iraqi oil resources. Lee's bill, H.R. 2929, declares that it is the policy of the United States not to establish any military installation or base for the purpose of providing for the permanent stationing of United States Armed Forces in Iraq and not to exercise United States control of the oil resources of Iraq and prohibits the use of funds for these purposes. The following is Congresswoman Lee's statement from the House floor:  What this legislation does is simple.  It does what the Iraq Study Group and other experts have recommended that we do.  It makes a clear statement of policy that the U.S. does not intend to maintain an open ended military presence in Iraq and that we won't exercise control over Iraqi oil, and it backs that policy up with the power of the purse. Putting Congress on record with this clear statement helps take the targets off our troops' backs and it support our goals of handing over responsibility for security and public safety to Iraqi forces. Mr. Speaker, the perception that the United States plans to maintain a permanent military presence in Iraq strengthens the insurgency and it fuels the violence against our troops. That is why experts ranging from former advisor to the Coalition Provisional Authority, Larry Diamond to the Iraq Study Group have called on the President to make a clear statement of policy that the U.S. does not intend to maintain permanent military bases or an open-ended military presence in Iraq. Unfortunately, the administration has refused to do that.  In fact, there are conflicting accounts as to who will decide if we stay in Iraq permanently.  When the president was asked that question at a press conference last October, he said, Any decisions on permanency in Iraq will be made by the Iraqi government.'  But when Secretary Gates was asked is our presence left up to the Iraqis or do we make the decision?' in testimony before the Senate this February, Secretary Gates said, We will make that decision, sir.' More recently, the administration has further muddied the waters by saying that they envision a United States military presence in Iraq similar to that we have in South Korea,' where American troops have been stationed for more than 50 years, and won't be leaving any time soon. We must soundly reject the vision of an open ended occupation as bad policy that undermines the safety of our troops and recognize it for what it is: another recruiting poster for terrorists. To those who raise objections or want to suggest that this is only a symbolic measure or raise semantic questions about what a permanent base' is, let me say this: This is a serious issue, and I think we all recognize how much is at stake.  The question is simple: do we support an endless occupation, or do we oppose it? We may disagree on many things about Iraq, but I hope we can agree that that an endless occupation is not the answer.  Let's make that commitment today.  Let's put the so-called Korea-model to bed.  Let's tell our troops that when they come home, they will all come home.  Let's pass this legislation. Lee, who first introduced legislation to bar permanent bases in June, 2005, has led efforts to attach base related amendments to spending and authorization bills.  The House passed Lee's amendment barring permanent bases to the FY06 Iraq supplemental, but it was stripped out of the bill in conference committee.  Subsequently, Congress passed amendments to the FY07 Defense Authorization bill, Defense Appropriations bill and Iraq supplemental, all of which became law.  This year the House has passed similar amendments for the Fy08 Defense Authorization bill and Foreign Operations Appropriations bill. ### \n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\n \n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://lee.house.gov/news/press-releases/house-to-vote-on-lee-bill-to-ban-permanent-bases-in-iraq", "House to Vote on Lee Bill to Ban Permanent Bases in Iraq", "2007-07-22", "2007", "2007-07", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "07.22.07\n\t\t\t House to Vote on Lee Bill to Ban Permanent Bases in Iraq \n\t\t\t(Washington, DC)    House leadership announced late Monday night that legislation introduced by Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) to prevent permanent military bases in Iraq and bar U.S. control over Iraqi oil resources will come up for a vote on the House floor on Wednesday. There is a lot of disagreement about Iraq, but there is widespread agreement on both sides of the aisle that U.S. occupation should not be permanent, and that is a good place to start, Lee said. Lee's bill, H.R. 2929, declares that it is the policy of the United States not to establish any military installation or base for the purpose of providing for the permanent stationing of United States Armed Forces in Iraq and not to exercise United States control of the oil resources of Iraq and prohibits the use of funds for these purposes. The Bush administration has refused to make a clear statement of policy on the question of permanent bases and has even contradicted itself over who would make the decision.  In October, 2006, in response to a question at a press conference as to whether the he intended to maintain permanent bases, said Any decisions about permanency in Iraq will be made by the Iraqi government.  But in February, 2007, when Defense Secretary Gates was asked in testimony before the Senate who would make the decision, he answered, We will make that decision, sir. The perception that the United States plans a permanent military presence in Iraq strengthens the insurgency and fuels the violence against our troops.  The Bush administration's recent comments that they envision a military presence extending more than 50 years   the 'Korea model'  have only made matters worse, said Lee. A clear statement of policy, as experts including the Iraq Study Group have recommended, that the U.S. does not intend a long-term or permanent military presence in Iraq would help take the targets off our troops backs and support our goals of handing over responsibility for security and public safety to Iraqi forces, Lee said. Lee, who first introduced legislation to bar permanent bases in June, 2005, has led efforts to attach base related amendments to spending and authorization bills.  The House passed Lee's amendment barring permanent bases to the FY06 Iraq supplemental, but it was stripped out of the bill in conference committee.  Subsequently, Congress passed amendments to the FY07 Defense Authorization bill, Defense Appropriations bill and Iraq supplemental, all of which became law.  This year the House has passed similar amendments for the Fy08 Defense Authorization bill and Foreign Operations Appropriations bill.   ### HR 2929, No Permanent U.S. Military Bases in Iraq Co-sponsors to date : 76 HR 2929  HR 2929 declares that it is the policy of the United States not to establish any military installation or base for the purpose of providing for the permanent stationing of United States Armed Forces in Iraq and not to exercise United States control of the oil resources of Iraq and prohibits the use of funds for these purposes. The Bush Administration Refuses to Rule Out Permanent Bases in Iraq  While members of the Bush administration have, at various times made statements against the idea of permanent bases, the White House has refused to issue a clear statement of policy disavowing permanent bases and the President refused to rule out the possibility of such bases when asked directly if he would do so at a press conference on October 25th, 2006. The Administration Has Contradicted Itself on Who Will Decide on Permanent Bases, the U.S. or Iraq  On October 25, 2006, in response to a question at a press conference as to whether the United States wanted to maintain permanent military bases in Iraq, the President stated, Any decisions on permanency in Iraq will be made by the Iraqi government. On February 6, 2007, in response to the question: Is that still our policy, that we're going to be there [Iraq] as long as the [Iraqi] government asks us to be there? ... Is our presence left up to the Iraqis or do we make the decision? Secretary Gates said, We will make that decision, sir. The Perception of Permanent Bases Fuels Violence Against U.S. Troops  According to a poll released by the Program on International Policy Attitudes in September, 2006, not only does the overwhelming majority of Iraqis want the U.S. to leave, but that the overwhelming majority believes that the U.S. plans to keep permanent bases in Iraq, and that belief is highly correlated with support for attacks on U.S. forces. The poll found that almost 80 percent of Iraqis believe the US military is provoking more conflict than it is preventing and 71 percent want US forces to leave in the next year. Nearly 80 percent of Iraqis believe that the US intends to maintain permanent military bases in Iraq, and six in 10 approve of attacks on U.S. forces, an increase from January, when less than half approved of such attacks.  According to the poll, If the US were to commit to withdraw, more than half of those who approve of attacks on US troops say that their support for attacks would diminish. How Many Bases Are There?According to a memo written by then-Secretary of Defense, Donald Rumsfeld in November, 2006, U.S. forces have reduced from 110 bases in Iraq to 55, and the plan is to reduce to 10-15 by April, 2007, and five by July, 2007. The Iraq Study Group (ISG):  Iraq Study Group (ISG) RECOMMENDATION 22: The President should state that the United States does not seek permanent military bases in Iraq. If the Iraqi government were to request a temporary base or bases, then the U.S. government could consider that request as it would in the case of any other government. Congressional Action on Permanent BasesCongress passed and the President signed into law three pieces of legislation containing prohibition on the establishment of permanent military bases in Iraq using funds available for fiscal year 2007: H.R. 5631, the Department of Defense Appropriations Bill; Public Law 109289, signed on September 29, 2006, H.R. 5122, the Defense Authorization Bill; Public Law 109364, signed on October 17, 2006. and the FY07 Supplemental Appropriations bill (PL 110-28) The House also had a recorded vote on permanent bases, an amendment offered by Rep. Steve King (R-IA) to remove permanent bases language from the FY07 Department of Defense Appropriations Bill.  The amendment was defeated 376-50 (H.Amdt. 1059 to H.R. 5631, June, 20th, 2006, roll call no. 296 ) If we strike this prohibition from this bill that was well thought out, what we are saying to the Iraqi people and what I am satisfied the propaganda machine of al Qaeda in Iraq are going to do is use this and say: see there, we told you so.  The Americans plan to occupy us for the rest of our lives.  Then-Chairman of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense, Representative Bill Young (R-FL), speaking in opposition to the King amendment. For the Record:As a proud and independent people, Iraqis do not support an indefinite occupation and neither does America. President Bush, April 13, 2004 Intense opposition to U.S. plans to establish long-term military bases in Iraq is one of the most passionate motivations behind the insurgency. Neutralizing this anti-imperial passion  by clearly stating that we do not intend to remain in Iraq indefinitely  is essential to winding down the insurgency. Larry Diamond, Senior Adviser to the Coalition Provisional Authority in Baghdad from January to April 2004, August 15, 2005 Nothing could be worse than trying to maintain bases in a country with Iraq'", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://lee.house.gov/news/press-releases/barbara-lee-leads-bi-partisan-group-of-70-house-members-in-putting-president-bush-on-notice-over-upcoming-iraq-appropriations", "Barbara Lee Leads Bi-Partisan Group of 70 House Members in putting President Bush on Notice Over Upcoming Iraq Appropriations", "2007-07-18", "2007", "2007-07", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "07.18.07\n\t\t\t Barbara Lee Leads Bi-Partisan Group of 70 House Members in putting President Bush on Notice Over Upcoming Iraq Appropriations \n\t\t\tMembers pledge to use appropriations process to fully fund redeployment from Iraq (Washington, DC) - As public frustration with President Bush's failed Iraq policy continues to mount, a bi-partisan group of 70 members of Congress asserted their power to use the appropriations process to change the policy in Iraq, directly challenging the President's claim that Congress' only power with regard to the conflict is to fund the policy he has set. Led by Progressive, and Out of Iraq Caucus Chairs Reps. Barbara Lee (D-CA), Lynn Woolsey (D-CA), and Maxine Waters (D-CA), 70 House Members today delivered a letter to President Bush putting him on notice that when the Congress takes up the FY '08 funding for military operations in Iraq in September they will only support appropriating funding for military operations in Iraq that are used to fully fund the safe and orderly redeployment of US troops from Iraq.  In their letter, the broad collection of members cited the skyrocketing human and financial costs of the President's failed Iraq policy and warned that the occupation's costs will be felt for generations to come: We are writing to inform you that we will only support appropriating additional funds for U.S. military operations in Iraq during Fiscal Year 2008 and beyond for the protection and safe redeployment of all our troops out of Iraq before you leave office [] We agree with a clear and growing majority of the American people who are opposed to continued, open-ended U.S. military operations in Iraq, and believe it is unwise and unacceptable for you to continue to unilaterally impose these staggering costs and the soaring debt on Americans currently and for generations to come, they wrote.   The full text of the letter is below:   Dear Mr. President: We are writing to inform you that we will only support appropriating additional funds for U.S. military operations in Iraq during Fiscal Year 2008 and beyond for the protection and safe redeployment of all our troops out of Iraq before you leave office. More than 3,600 of our brave soldiers have died in Iraq.  More than 26,000 have been seriously wounded. Hundreds of thousands of Iraqis have been killed or injured in the hostilities and more than 4 million have been displaced from their homes. Furthermore, this conflict has degenerated into a sectarian civil war and U.S. taxpayers have paid more than $500 billion, despite assurances that you and your key advisors gave our nation at the time you ordered the invasion in March, 2003 that this military intervention would cost far less and be paid from Iraqi oil revenues.  We agree with a clear and growing majority of the American people who are opposed to continued, open-ended U.S. military operations in Iraq, and believe it is unwise and unacceptable for you to continue to unilaterally impose these staggering costs and the soaring debt on Americans currently and for generations to come.   Sincerely,   Rep. Lynn Woolsey (CA); Rep. Barbara Lee (CA); Rep. Maxine Waters  (CA); Rep. Ellen Tauscher (CA); Rep. Rush Holt (NJ); Rep. Maurice Hinchey (NY); Rep. Diane Watson (CA); Rep. Ed Pastor (AZ); Rep. Barney Frank (MA); Rep. Danny Davis (IL); Rep. John Conyers (MI); Rep. John Hall (NY); Rep. Bob Filner (CA); Rep. Nydia Velazquez (NY); Rep. Bobby Rush (IL); Rep. Charles Rangel (NY); Rep. Ed Towns (NY); Rep. Paul Hodes (NH); Rep. William Lacy Clay (MO); Rep. Earl Blumenauer (OR); Rep. Albert Wynn (MD); Rep. Bill Delahunt (MA); Rep. Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC); Rep. G. K. Butterfield (NC); Rep. Hilda Solis (CA); Rep. Carolyn Maloney (NY); Rep. Jerrold Nadler (NY); Rep. Michael Honda (CA); Rep. Steve Cohen (TN); Rep. Phil Hare (IL); Rep. Grace Flores Napolitano (CA); Rep. Alcee Hastings (FL); Rep. James McGovern (MA); Rep. Marcy Kaptur (OH); Rep. Jan Schakowsky (IL); Rep. Julia Carson (IN); Rep. Linda Sanchez (CA); Rep. Raul Grijalva (AZ); Rep. John Olver (MA); Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee (TX); Rep. Jim McDermott (WA); Rep. Ed Markey (MA); Rep. Chaka Fattah (PA); Rep. Frank Pallone Jr. (NJ); Rep. Rubin Hinojosa (TX); Rep. Pete Stark (CA); Rep. Bobby Scott (VA); Rep. Jim Moran (VA); Rep. Betty McCollum (MN); Rep. Jim Oberstar (MN); Rep. Diana DeGette (CO); Rep. Stephen Lynch (MA); Rep. Artur Davis (AL); Rep. Hank Johnson (GA); Rep. Donald Payne (NJ); Rep. Emanuel Cleaver (MO); Rep. John Lewis (GA); Rep. Yvette Clarke (NY); Rep. Neil Abercrombie (HI); Rep. Gwen Moore (WI); Rep. Keith Ellison (MN); Rep. Tammy Baldwin (WI); Rep. Donna Christensen (USVI); Rep. David Scott (GA); Rep. Luis Gutierrez (IL); Lois Capps (CA); Steve Rothman (NJ); Elijah Cummings (MD); and Rep. Ron Paul (R-TX). ###   \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-funding-for-public-safety-violence-prevention-projects", "Barbara Lee Announces Funding for Public Safety, Violence Prevention Projects", "2007-07-11", "2007", "2007-07", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "07.11.07\n\t\t\t Barbara Lee Announces Funding for Public Safety, Violence Prevention Projects \n\t\t\t(Washington, DC)  Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland), who serves on the House Appropriations Committee, announced today that the Fiscal Year 2008 Commerce, Justice, State Appropriations Bill that will be voted on next week will include over $1 million for projects in her district aimed at preventing violence and improving public safety. From improving communications for emergency services to providing young people with alternatives to violence and crime and making sure that formally incarcerated people are prepared to find and keep work, these projects help make our community safer, said Lee. A list of projects included in the bill that was approved by the Appropriations Committee today follows:  1) $200,000 - Martin Luther King, Jr. Freedom Center in Oakland, CA - for youth violence prevention programs.  The program seeks to develop skills in conflict resolution, gang prevention, and alternatives to violence.  2) $100,000 for the Radical Roving Recreation Program (RRR) in Oakland, CA - RRR is a violence prevention program designed to change the attitudes of misguided and misdirected children and youth in the City of Oakland by meeting the youth where they are mentally, spiritually, emotionally and physically. RRR provides an array of recreational and educational experiences in different forms, at a variety of locations and to an unmet targeted population. RRR activities address the whole person by eliminating transportation barriers, assisting in addressing housing issues, and preparing youth with life skills that translate into successful educational experiences and employment opportunities.  3) $100,000 - Allen Temple Housing and Economic Development Corporation, Oakland, CA - for the Dr. J. Alfred Smith, Sr. Training Academy.   DJASSTA provides training designed to help formerly incarcerated individuals obtain and retain employment that offers opportunities for living wages and advancement.  The program offers comprehensive services with a focus on job-training, including office training in office technology and a construction pre-apprenticeship program, and employment placement and follow up support.   4) $100,000 - Berkeley Public Safety Agencies, Berkeley, CA.  Berkeley's current Public Safety computer dispatch and communications system must be updated to ensure systems interoperability.  The existing system is minimally functional and cannot support critical inter-jurisdictional communications and coordination needs.  The project will enhance Berkeley's ability to maintain a secure and interoperable computer and communication system and maximize sustainable use after a natural or human-made disaster.   5) $100,000 - Center for Public Safety at Merritt College and Peralta College, Oakland, CA - the Center will house the Oakland Police Academy and fire training courses. Other new courses would be developed particularly around Homeland Security, paramedic, paralegal, Crime Scene Investigations and the like. The vision is that Oakland and East Bay public safety organizations would have an academic environment that would offer a wide range of courses tailored to them and be geographically close. 6) $100,000 - Alameda County Violence Prevention Initiative, Oakland, CA - The Alameda County Violence Prevention Initiative is a countywide effort to reduce all forms of violence affecting the safety, economy, and quality of life of residents and communities throughout Alameda County. 7) $50,000 - Youth Uprising, Oakland, CA - for youth alternative to violence and crime program.  The Alternative to Violence and Crime (ATVAC) project is an intensive re-education and skill training project for youth and young adults: (a) at risk of gang involvement, (b) expelled from school for violence, (c) on probation or parole, (d) truant from school, (e) those recently treated for intentional injuries as a result of violence, and/or (f) those with recent exposures to violent crime especially homicide and other traumatic events that degrade the integrity of community and familial social supports.  ATVAC services are designed to interrupt the cycle of crime and violence by promoting pathways to non-violent life styles. ATVAC uses peer-to-peer, positive adult mentorship, and clinical supports to encourage educational attainment, access to therapeutic services, maintaining responsible employment, and meeting family responsibilities. 8) $300,000 - Indian Legal Services in Oakland, CA - for the development of a state-wide tribal court. ###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://lee.house.gov/news/press-releases/barbara-lee-announces-more-than-50-million-in-funding-for-port-projects", "Barbara Lee Announces More than $50 Million in Funding for Port Projects", "2007-07-11", "2007", "2007-07", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "07.11.07\n\t\t\t Barbara Lee Announces More than $50 Million in Funding for Port Projects \n\t\t\t(Washington, DC)  Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland), who serves on the House Appropriations Committee, announced today that the Fiscal Year 2008 Energy and Water Appropriations Bill that will be voted on next week will include more than $50 million for port-related projects in her district. This investment in the maintenance and expansion of the Port of Oakland helps to ensure that our nation's fourth busiest container port continues to be an effective gateway for trade and to support the growth of our economy both locally and nationally, said Lee. A list of projects included in the bill that was approved by the Appropriations Committee today follows:  1) $42 million - Port of Oakland  for Oakland Harbor (50 foot dredging project).  The Port of Oakland is the fourth busiest container port in the country, and plays a crucial role as a major international gateway to our nation's complex trade and transportation infrastructure systems. Dredging the existing harbor channels to a depth of 50 feet will allow the port to accommodate the latest generation of container vessels, generating economies of scale that will translate into greater shipping efficiency and reduced business costs.  The 50 foot project is estimated to create 8,800 additional jobs, $1.9 billion of increased annual business revenue, and $62 million of increased annual local taxes. The harbor deepening must be completed in a timely manner or risk container traffic diversion to Canada and Mexico, thus raising costs to shippers and losing jobs and revenue to the State of California and the U.S. economy.  The project has a benefit to coast ratio (BCR) of 7.9. 2) $10.2 million - Port of Oakland - for operations and maintenance dredging of the federal channels at the Oakland Harbor, CA.  Annual maintenance dredging of the Oakland Harbor is required to maintain the Port's authorized depth and its overall shipping capacity. ### \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-for-withdrawal-timeline", "Barbara Lee Speaks Out for Withdrawal Timeline", "2007-07-11", "2007", "2007-07", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "07.11.07\n\t\t\t Barbara Lee Speaks Out for Withdrawal Timeline \n\t\t\tSays Training Iraqi Security Forces is Undermining Security (Washington, DC)    Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) spoke out and against a blind commitment to arming and training Iraqi security forces during debate today on a measure to establishing a clear timeline to withdraw U.S. forces from Iraq by April, 2008.  The following is her statement as delivered:  As the co-founder of the Out of Iraq Caucus, I rise in support of this bill.  The President has dug us deep into a hole in Iraq.  By setting a clear timeline for the redeployment of United States troops, we are standing with the American people to stop the digging. If we are to climb out of this deep hole, we are going to have to make sure that when our troops come home, that they all come home.  That means no permanent bases, and it means ending our blind commitment to arming and training Iraqi security forces. And it also means that come September, we must use the power of our purse and we must begin to fully fund the safe redeployment of our young men and woman and our contractors out of Iraq. The civil war in Iraq is raging within the very security forces we are arming and training.  Our weapons and expertise are being used for sectarian violence and for killing Americans and Iraqi civilians.  This policy only further endangers our troops and fuels the civil war. We must end the Bush administration's failed policy in Iraq  and it has failed - and we must reconsider this blind commitment to arming and training Iraqi security forces. Let us support our troops, and I mean support our troops in a real way, by bringing them home. This is the will of the American people, that is the goal of the Out of Iraq Caucus, and that is in the national security interest of our country. ###   \n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\n \n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://lee.house.gov/news/press-releases/barbara-lee-announces-funding-for-local-transportation-projects", "Barbara Lee Announces Funding for Local Transportation Projects", "2007-07-10", "2007", "2007-07", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "07.10.07\n\t\t\t Barbara Lee Announces Funding for Local Transportation Projects \n\t\t\t(Washington, DC)  Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland), who serves on the House Appropriations Committee, announced today that the Fiscal Year 2008 Treasury, Transportation, HUD Appropriations Bill that will be voted on next week will include almost $2 million for transportation and community redevelopment projects in her district. With this funding, we are making a real investment in strengthening public transportation, reducing congestion, improving public safety and supporting community redevelopment, said Lee. A list of projects included in the bill that was approved by the Appropriations Committee today follows:  1) $250,000 - Alameda County Public Works Agency - for School Pedestrian Safety in Ashland and Cherryland, CA.  The Alameda County Public Works Agency is constructing new sidewalks in several unincorporated areas of Alameda County around the vicinity of Colonial Acres Elementary School, Edendale Middle School, and San Lorenzo High School.  Funding will support the construction of curb, gutter, sidewalks, pedestrian ramps, drainage structures, sidewalk gap closure, and the installation of landscaping to create safe routes to schools and a pedestrian friendly environment that will encourage residents to walk in the community. 2) $200,000 - The Spanish Speaking Unity Council - for the Fruitvale Cultural and Performing Arts Center in Oakland, CA.  Funding will assist the Unity Council in rehabilitating the Fruitvale Masonic Temple to create a new cultural and performing arts center to stage year round cultural activities and provide space for after-school youth programs.  The Masonic Temple property will become the gateway to the Fruitvale Village developments and help spur community revitalization and economic development in the surrounding area. 3) $250,000 - Ed Roberts Campus, Berkeley, CA - for construction of the Ed Roberts Campus at the Ashby BART station in Berkeley, CA.  The Ed Roberts Campus is the vision of eight disability organizations in California, which have joined forces to create a multi-tenant facility that will serve as an intermodal transit center as well as a transportation information and travel-training center for seniors and people with disabilities.  It will provide services in a fully accessible, technologically-advanced environment located at BART's Ashby stop.  The Campus will serve approximately 2000 people per week, most of who will arrive by public transportation. 4) $500,000  - Alameda-Contra Costa Transit District (AC Transit) - for the Telegraph Avenue/International Blvd./E.14th Street Bus Rapid Transit Corridor in Alameda County, CA.   This funding request will support capital improvements  including traffic signal upgrades, bus lane improvements, utility relocation, bus stop enhancements, sidewalk widening, lighting, and street furniture  along the Bus Rapid Transit corridor of Telegraph Avenue/International Boulevard/East 14th Street. 5) $750,000 - San Francisco Bay Area Water Transit Authority (WTA) - for Berkeley/Albany Ferry Service in CA.  The Water Transit Authority is in the process of finalizing ferry service between Berkeley or Albany (terminal site to be determined) to downtown San Francisco.  Federal funding would be used to help pay for construction of ferry boats and the ferry terminal.  The San Francisco Bay Area is one of the most highly congested areas of California, and consistently ranks in the top three most congested areas in the country. The ferry service would carry approximately 1800 people/day, serving the waterfront areas of Berkeley, Albany and Emeryville, as well as travelers along the I-80 corridor, and will help to eliminate nearly one lane's worth of traffic on the San Francisco Bay Bridge during peak commute hours.  In addition, the district will also receive $4,600,000 for the construction of FAA Terminal Air Traffic Control Facilities in Oakland. ### \n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\n \n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://lee.house.gov/news/press-releases/lee-hhs-projects-focus-on-violence-prevention-fighting-hiv/aids", "Lee HHS Projects Focus on Violence Prevention, Fighting HIV/AIDS", "2007-07-10", "2007", "2007-07", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "07.10.07\n\t\t\t Lee HHS Projects Focus on Violence Prevention, Fighting HIV/AIDS \n\t\t\t(Washington, DC)  Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland), who serves on the Labor, Health and Human Services and Education Subcommittee of the Appropriations Committee, announced today that the Fiscal Year 2008 Labor, HHS Appropriations Bill that will be voted on next week will include $2.7 million for projects in her district, including money for long term priorities of Lee's in the areas of community health and violence prevention. This funding represents a significant investment in the overall health of our community, said Lee.  These projects will be helping prevent youth violence, stopping the spread of HIV/AIDS and expanding access to healthcare in vulnerable communities. A list of projects included in the bill that was approved by the Appropriations Committee today follows:  1) $500,000 - City of Oakland - for the McClymonds Youth and Family Center project, which will bring nationally recognized clinicians from Children's Hospital at Oakland to work in a state of the art facility to mitigate the severe health care disparities that plague West Oakland.  The goal is to move beyond harm-reduction by integrating pro-social youth development programs and health services must be integrated with traditional clinical services.  The funding is for the renovation of an abandoned construction bay contiguous with the new health center in order to expand the current health facility to broaden the health and youth development services available at this licensed health facility.  The importance of imbedding adolescent treatment services in a comprehensive youth development paradigm is designed to address the three leading causes of death for teens in West Oakland, which are homicide, suicide, and unintentional injury.  2) $250,000 - Alameda County Public Health Office of AIDS Administration - for the High Risk Behavior Change Campaign Initiative, an aggressive social marketing program aimed at increasing HIV testing in the African-American community especially in Oakland and specifically targeting heterosexual women, with the goal of identifying women who are HIV positive and placing them into treatment. 3) $150,000 - Institute for the Advanced Study of Black Families HIV/AIDS & SA Prevention Technology Transfer Project in Oakland, CA. The project is designed to provide sustainable technical assistance, clearing house, capacity enhancement and prevention coordination for integrated HIV/AIDS and substance abuse prevention with African American women and teenagers.   4) $250,000 - The Chez Panisse Foundation - for the School Lunch Initiative.  The funding will aid the School Lunch Pilot Program in Berkeley in the development of a program that would treat lunch as an academic subject for all public school students in the district, from kindergarten through high school.  These funds would support a comprehensive approach to improved health and health education in the public schools that will instill students with a sense of responsibility for themselves and their health.   5) $250,000 - La Clinica de La Raza - for the San Antonio Clinic Expansion Project. With the funding, La Clinica will expand the space of its San Antonio Neighborhood Health Center (SANHC) to serve 2,500 additional low-income residents who are in need of health care. With the renovation of space located next door to the existing clinic, along with the remodeling of the existing clinic, the number of exam rooms will double. 6) $200,000 - Oakland Unified School District (OUSD) - for the Technology Integration Project.  Funding is needed to support development of data systems to support decentralized decision-making. For example, service units need to offer billable services that can be ordered by computer and instantaneously deducted from school budgets, and modern methods are urgently needed for tracking books, students, employees, and teacher activities, all of which are currently manual processes. 7) $200,000 - Peralta Community College District- for renovations necessary to relocate the nursing training program facility to a currently unused wing of Highland Hospital.  8) $200,000 - National Council on Crime and Delinquency (NCCD)- for a pilot program of the Violence Prevention for Asian and Pacific Islander (API) Youth project, a school-based model for how to address the needs of API youth to prevent violence, provide technical assistance to cities, counties, and communities experiencing violence by and of API youth, provide diversity and cultural competence training, and work with law enforcement, courts, health departments, schools, and other agencies to establish positive and effective relationships with API communities.  9) $700,000 - UC Berkeley Institute of Government Studies - for the creation of the Matsui Center for Politics and Public Service in Berkeley, CA. The Matsui Center for Politics and Public Service will develop a curriculum that will encourage students to think about politics and public service not as separate activities but as a continuum of civic engagement. ###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://lee.house.gov/news/press-releases/barbara-lee-responds-to-bush-commuting-libby-sentence", "Barbara Lee Responds to Bush Commuting Libby Sentence", "2007-07-02", "2007", "2007-07", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "07.02.07\n\t\t\t Barbara Lee Responds to Bush Commuting Libby Sentence \n\t\t\tWashington, DC - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) issued the following statement in response to President Bush's announcement that he had commuted the sentence of I. Lewis \"Scooter\" Libby: \"President Bush's decision to commute the sentence of Scooter Libby for his role in covering up the deliberate exposure of the identity of an undercover CIA operative is what we have come to expect from an administration that has consistently shown more interest in protecting its own than protecting the nation.\" ### \n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\n \n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://lee.house.gov/news/press-releases/barbara-lee-condemns-desegregation-ruling", "Barbara Lee Condemns Desegregation Ruling", "2007-06-28", "2007", "2007-06", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "06.28.07\n\t\t\t Barbara Lee Condemns Desegregation Ruling \n\t\t\t(Washington, DC)    Congresswoman Barbara Lee issued the following statement in response to the Supreme Court's bitterly divided decision forbidding the consideration of race in school integration plans: \"Today's shocking decision undermines the commitment to equality in education that was spelled out in the Brown vs. The Board of Education decision, and threatens to turn the clock back on half a century of advances in racial equality in education.\"  ### \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/ending-the-travel-ban-to-cuba", "Ending the Travel Ban to Cuba", "2007-06-28", "2007", "2007-06", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", null, 0, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://lee.house.gov/news/press-releases/barbara-lee-announces-grants-for-employment-assistance", "Barbara Lee Announces Grants for Employment Assistance", "2007-06-27", "2007", "2007-06", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "06.27.07\n\t\t\t Barbara Lee Announces Grants for Employment Assistance \n\t\t\t(Washington, DC)    Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) announced that the Department of Labor will provide $150,000 in grants to three Oakland organizations as part of a $3.8 million commitment to faith-based and community organizations that are helping hard-to-serve populations prepare for and succeed in employment opportunities nationwide. These programs are helping people who are most in need of employment to get the skills and assistance that they need to find and keep a job, said Lee. We all have a stake in making sure that everyone, and especially people in vulnerable communities, has access to employment opportunities.  These grants for these programs are helping us to do that and should be seen as an important investment in the health of our community. Two new grantees, the Centro Legal de la Raza and Computer Applications Training Schools, will receive $60,000 apiece, while Pivotal Point Youth Services, Inc., a previous grantee, will receive an additional $30,000. According to the Department of Labor, projects receiving awards will serve individuals including welfare recipients, high school dropouts, ex-offenders, and others who face significant challenges in gaining employment. Grantees will provide career counseling, life-coaching, mentoring, links to their local One-Stop Career Center, and other services designed to prepare individuals to enter the workforce.   Out of 348 applicants, 59 new awardees were chosen to receive funding of up to $60,000 each, and 14 previous recipients successfully competed to expand their work with grants of $30,000 each.  Grassroots faith-based and community organizations with annual social services budgets under $500,000 were eligible to apply.  ### \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/panel-approves-lee-bill-to-support-us-caribbean-educational-exchange", "Panel Approves Lee Bill to Support US - Caribbean Educational Exchange", "2007-06-27", "2007", "2007-06", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "06.27.07\n\t\t\t Panel Approves Lee Bill to Support US - Caribbean Educational Exchange \n\t\t\t(Washington, DC)    On Tuesday, the House Foreign Affairs Committee unanimously approved a bill introduced Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) that would strengthen educational exchanges with the Caribbean, clearing the way for a floor vote on the measure. As we celebrate Caribbean American Heritage month, it is only appropriate that we strengthen our relationship with our neighbors to the south by promoting a mutually beneficial educational exchange, said Lee. I am thrilled that our Committee has taken this step towards creating the Shirley Chisholm Caribbean Exchange program, said Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Tom Lantos (D-CA), who was a university professor before serving in Congress.  It is a deeply felt personal priority of mine to promote educational and cultural exchanges between the United States and the rest of the world, and Congresswoman Lee's bill does just that. America's relationship with our Caribbean friends and allies is extremely important, and cultural exchange can only enhance the already strong link between our two regions. The Shirley A. Chisholm US-Caribbean Educational Exchange Act of 2007, H.R. 176, creates two comprehensive educational initiatives targeted toward the Caribbean. The first will establish a system for students in CARICOM nations to study in the US and the second will develop a plan to enhance teacher training, community involvement, and improve the overall primary and secondary education infrastructure in the region. Lee's bill would establish a U.S.-Caribbean educational exchange program for high school, undergraduate and graduate students, and scholars through the State Department.  It would also enable the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) to develop a regional strategy to expand existing early education initiatives, and would allow both State Department and USAID to use public-private partnerships to implement the program.  It also encourages the participation of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU's) and Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSI's).  The bill has the bipartisan support of 57 cosponsors. Lee, who got involved in politics after working on Shirley Chisholm's 1972 presidential campaign, has been a champion of Caribbean issues, including leading the Congressional effort that resulted in June being named as Caribbean American Heritage Month. ###   \n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\n \n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://lee.house.gov/news/press-releases/barbara-lee-and-other-members-get-tested-publicly-to-highlight-hiv-testing-day", "Barbara Lee and Other Members Get Tested Publicly to Highlight HIV Testing Day", "2007-06-26", "2007", "2007-06", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "06.26.07\n\t\t\t Barbara Lee and Other Members Get Tested Publicly to Highlight HIV Testing Day \n\t\t\tWashington, DC  On the eve of National HIV Testing Day, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) was joined by Frank Oldham, Executive Director for the National Association of People with AIDS (NAPWA), Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) and others for a press conference on Capitol Hill designed to highlight the fight against AIDS in the nation's capitol and to encourage people here and around the nation to get tested.  After the press conference, Lee and others proceeded to a mobile testing unit parked on Capitol grounds to publicly get tested for HIV. Here in Congress, we have an obligation to lead by example in fighting this disease, said Lee.  Whether it's by directing funds specifically to minority communities through the Minority AIDS Initiative, supporting the deployment of rapid testing, or even something as basic as getting tested ourselves, all of us have the ability to make a difference when it comes to battling this disease. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) the number of people living with HIV/AIDS in the United States today is as high as 1,200,000and more than 25 percent of those who are infected are not aware of it.  The rate of infection in the District of Columbia is the highest in the nation  with an estimated 1 in 20 people infected. Increasing the availability of HIV tests, especially rapid tests kits, and encouraging individuals to seek out voluntary counseling and testing can make a significant difference in reducing the spread of HIV.  Unfortunately, barriers to testing still exist, most significantly, the stigma surrounding HIV/AIDS and the anxiety involving the test itself. In order to combat both these barriers, the National Association of People with AIDS, in conjunction with the CDC, produces National HIV Testing Day, an annual campaign that culminates on June 27th.  This year's theme is Take the test, take control, emphasizing the fact that just getting tested can produce behavioral change regardless of the diagnosis. For more information on National HIV Testing Day, or to find a testing site in your district, visit the CDC's website at: http://hivtest.org/. As a leader Congress in the fight against HIV/AIDS, Lee has worked to raise awareness about the toll the disease is taking on the African American community and to foster community involvement in stopping its spread.  She has introduced resolutions recognizing the goals of National HIV Testing Day, and in 2005 and 2007 the House passed resolutions she introduced supporting the goals of National Black AIDS Awareness Day.  She has also reintroduced legislation to allow the distribution of condoms in federal prisons and to develop a strategy to reduce the spread of HIV and other STIs in prisons. As the coauthor of both the legislation that created the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief and the Global Fund, Lee's accomplishments in promoting effective, bipartisan measures to stop the spread of HIV/AIDS and bring treatment to those living with the disease have earned her international recognition as a leader in the fight against the HIV/AIDS pandemic. ### \n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\n \n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://lee.house.gov/news/press-releases/barbara-lee-welcomes-doe-bioenergy-research-center-to-the-east-bay", "Barbara Lee Welcomes DOE Bioenergy Research Center to the East Bay", "2007-06-26", "2007", "2007-06", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "06.26.07\n\t\t\t Barbara Lee Welcomes DOE Bioenergy Research Center to the East Bay \n\t\t\t(Washington, DC) Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) welcomed the announcement today by U. S. Department of Energy (DOE) that DOE will invest up to $375 million in three new Bioenergy Research Centers, one of which will be located in 9th Congressional District of California.   This program is critical to our nation as we move aggressively to find alternatives to fossil fuels and begin to develop home-grown and environmentally responsible energy sources, said Lee. This announcement means that California and the East Bay are going to be in the forefront of our national effort to develop alternative energy and achieve energy independence.\" The Centers are intended to accelerate basic research in the development of cellulosic ethanol and other biofuels, part of President Bush's Twenty in Ten Initiative, which seeks to reduce U.S. gasoline consumption by 20 percent within ten years through increased efficiency and diversification of clean energy sources.  The Department plans to fund the Centers for the first five years of operation (Fiscal Years 2008-2013). Lee led Congressional support for the project, spearheading a joint letter from members of Congress from the San Francisco Bay Area to the DOE in expressing their commitment to and support for the Joint BioEnergy Institute proposal to manage and operate the new venture.   ### \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/representatives-solis-and-lee-lead-effort-to-support-healthy-foods-in-the-2007-farm-bill", "Representatives Solis and Lee Lead Effort to Support Healthy Foods in the 2007 Farm Bill", "2007-06-18", "2007", "2007-06", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "06.18.07\n\t\t\t Representatives Solis and Lee Lead Effort to Support Healthy Foods in the 2007 Farm Bill \n\t\t\tContacts: Sonia Melndez (202) 225-5464 Nathan Britton (202) 225-2661 Washington, D.C.  Today, Representatives Hilda L. Solis (CA-32) and Barbara Lee (CA-9) joined by 24 other Members of the California delegation, sent a letter to Agriculture Committee Chairman Peterson and Ranking Member Goodlatte urging them to address the problem of hunger and poverty in urban and suburban communities during consideration of the 2007 farm bill. Despite California being the country's major provider of fruits and vegetables, many low-income and communities of color cannot afford, or lack access to healthy foods. The lack of nutritious foods has contributed to the alarming increases in rates of obesity and diet-related diseases, said Rep. Solis. The 2007 farm bill is a historic opportunity to help reverse these trends and emphasize programs that strengthen conservation and local food systems and increase access to healthy foods.  We need to ensure that people have the resources to eat well and live healthy lives. Increasing food stamp benefits so they offer a meaningful safety net to people in need is part of the solution, and we must also invest in initiatives that bring healthy food into our communities, said Rep. Lee, who earlier this month took the Food Stamp Challenge and lived on the food stamp benefit level of $1 per meal for a week. The Farm Bill significantly impacts issues of hunger, poverty, and access to quality foods to our communities. The lack of healthy food available in many low-income and communities of color only perpetuates the alarming increases in rates of obesity and diet-related diseases. If current trends continue, one in three Caucasian children and one in two African American and Latino children in California will have diabetes by the time they are eighteen.   ### A copy of the letter is attached. June 19, 2007 The Honorable Collin C. Peterson                                  The Honorable Bob Goodlatte  Chairman                                                                      Ranking Member  House Committee on Agriculture                                    House Committee on Agriculture  1301 Longworth House Office Building                          1305 Longworth House Office Building  Washington, DC 20515                                                  Washington, DC 20515 Dear Chairman Peterson and Ranking Member Goodlatte: As members of the California Congressional delegation representing urban and suburban districts, the Farm Bill significantly impact the issues of hunger, poverty, and access to quality foods for our communities. As you draft the 2007 Farm Bill, we urge you to emphasize initiatives that address the problem of hunger and poverty in our communities.  In addition, it is critical to increase access to high-quality fresh and healthy foods for all Americans, support family farms, promote local food systems and connections to regional agriculture, and leave a legacy of healthy land, water, and air for our children. Despite being the country's major provider of fruits and vegetables, many low-income and communities of color across California cannot afford, or lack access to, fresh fruits and vegetables and other healthy foods. This lack of healthy food has contributed to the alarming increases in rates of obesity and diet-related diseases. If current trends continue, one in three Caucasian children and one in two African American and Latino children in California will have diabetes by the time they are eighteen. We are concerned that current subsidies exacerbate the problem by encouraging an abundance of cheap food that is calorie dense and nutrition deficient in our low-income communities and schools.  We strongly urge the House Agriculture Committee to support the following priorities during consideration of the 2007 Farm Bill: Reduce hunger and Improve Access to Healthy Food  *Improve benefit levels so that families have more than an average of $1 per person per meal.    *Simplify the application process and extend eligibility to all who need food, including single adults and documented immigrants.   *Modernize Food Stamp Nutrition Education (FSNE) to allow comprehensive public health approaches that support community food security interventions.  *Increase funding for emergency food providers to help them meet growing demand.  Connect Specialty Crop Producers to Low-Income Consumers  *Increase funding for Specialty Crop Purchases and Department of Defense (DoD) Fresh Program so schools can purchase more fruits and vegetables.   * Increase funding for the Farmers Market Promotion Program (FMPP) and provide funds to support EBT use at farmers' markets.   *Increase funding for both the WIC and Senior Farmers' Market Nutrition Programs.   *Expand the Community Food Projects Competitive Grants Program and expand the scope of the program to include projects that supply healthy local foods to underserved communities. Encourage Strong Regional Agricultural Economies * Increase funding for organic agriculture and Value-Added Producer and Rural Business Enterprise and Opportunity grants to increase market access through innovative marketing, distribution and business ventures.   *Allow geographic preferences within bids and increased flexibility within all Federal nutrition programs, including the DoD Fresh Program and USDA National School Lunch and Breakfast programs, to bring new markets to regional farmers. Protect the Environment and the Future of Agriculture   *Fully fund the Conservation Security Program (CSP) and expand EQIP funding.  *Expand the Farm and Ranch Land Protection Program in order to protect farmland on our urban edges.    *Fully fund the Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development and Outreach and Technical Assistance to Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers programs and increase the cost-share for participation by socially disadvantaged farmers in conservation programs.  *Establish a process to address complaints by socially disadvantaged farmers against USDA. The 2007 Farm Bill is a historic opportunity to help reverse the alarming trends of hunger, poor health, failing farms and environmental degradation by emphasizing programs that strengthen local food systems and increase access to healthy foods. We respectfully request that the aforementioned priorities be addressed during consideration of the 2007 Farm Bill. We look forward to working with you to advance food, farm and nutrition policies that will improve the physical and economic wellbeing of our cities and rural communities. Sincerely, Hon. Hilda L. Solis   Hon. Barbara Lee  Hon. Howard Berman  Hon. Lois Capps  Hon. Susan Davis  Hon. Anna Eshoo  Hon. Sam Farr  Hon. Bob Filner  Hon. Jane Harman  Hon. Michael Honda  Hon. Tom Lantos  Hon. Zoe Lofgren  Hon. Doris Matsui  Hon. George Miller  Hon. Jerry McNerney  Hon. Grace F. Napolitano  Hon. Lucille Roybal-Allard  Hon. Linda Snchez  Hon. Loretta Sanchez  Hon. Adam Schiff  Hon. Ellen Tauscher  Hon. Mike Thompson  Hon. Maxine Waters  Hon. Diane Watson  Hon. Henry Waxman  Hon. Lynn Woolsey", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://lee.house.gov/news/press-releases/barbara-lee-introduces-resolution-to-honor-national-caribbean-american-hiv/aids-awareness-day", "Barbara Lee Introduces Resolution to Honor National Caribbean American HIV/AIDS Awareness Day", "2007-06-07", "2007", "2007-06", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "06.07.07\n\t\t\t Barbara Lee Introduces Resolution to Honor National Caribbean American HIV/AIDS Awareness Day \n\t\t\t(Washington, DC)    Last night, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) introduced a resolution to recognize National Caribbean American HIV/AIDS Awareness Day, which is today. In 2006, National Caribbean American HIV/AIDS Awareness Day was created as an opportunity for Caribbean American and Caribbean-born individuals to get educated, get tested, get treated, and get involved, said Lee.  This is critical because as we attempt to combat HIV/AIDS in America, overcoming racial and ethnic disparities remains a serious issue at the heart of the fight.  In particular, Caribbean Americans face low quality health care and a cultural stigma against public discussion of HIV/AIDS. H.Con.Res. 166, which Lee introduced with the bipartisan support of six cosponsors, recognizes the second anniversary of National Caribbean American HIV/AIDS Awareness Day and encourages state and local governments, public health agencies, and the media to publicize the day and support its ideals and goals. The celebration of this day every June 8 allows people to express their support for those infected with or affected by HIV/AIDS and inspire hope for the future improvement of health and health care in the Caribbean-American community, said Lee. ### \n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\n \n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://lee.house.gov/news/press-releases/lee-announces-increases-for-education-job-training-and-violence-prevention", "Lee Announces Increases for Education, Job Training and Violence Prevention", "2007-06-06", "2007", "2007-06", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "06.06.07\n\t\t\t Lee Announces Increases for Education, Job Training and Violence Prevention \n\t\t\t(Washington, DC)    Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland), a member of the appropriations subcommittee that oversees funding for labor, health and education, praised the panel's increases in funds for education, job training and violence prevention as the subcommittee finished its markup of its 2008 spending bill today. This bill represents an investment in our future, and I am particularly proud of our successful efforts to increase funds for programs that keep kids safe and give them real alternatives to violence, said Lee.   The $153.7 billion Labor, Health and Human Services and Education Appropriations bill provides $61.7 billion for education, $4.2 billion (7.4 %) above 2007, including: Pell Grants: $2.0 billion (14.6 %) above 2007, the largest single increase in the bill.  This will raise the maximum Pell grant by $390 to $4,700, benefiting over 5.5 million students without reducing or eliminating other student financial assistance programs, as the Administration proposed.  No Child Left Behind (NCLB): $2.0 billion (8.4%) above 2007, including $1.9 billion more for Title I grants to schools, benefiting nearly 55,000 Title I schools and fully funding reading and math instruction for an additional 161,000 low-income students, and significant increases for teacher quality programs and after-school centers.   Lee, who spoke at a recent local forum on youth violence, played a lead role in increasing funding for programs for at-risk-youth and violence prevention, specifically pointing to the increases for after school centers, Safe and Drug Free School grants, drop out prevention programs, mentoring, as well as programs to help young people train for and find jobs.ProgramProposed 2008 FundingPresident's 2008 RequestDifferenceNo Child Left Behind$25,641,444,000$24,666,444,000$975,000,000 (4.0%)Safe and Drug Free Schools$300,000,000$100,000,000$200,000,000 (200%)Historically Black Colleges $249,500,000$238,095,000$11,405,000 (4.8%)After School Centers$1,106,166,000$981,180,000$124,986,000 (12.7)Mentoring Programs$48,814,000$0$48,814,000School Counselors $61,500,000$0$61,500,000TRIO$868,178,000$828,178,000$40,000,000 (4.8%)GEAR UP$323,423,000$303,423,000$20,000,000 (6.6%)Youth Job Training$940,500,000$840,500,000$100,000,000 (11.9%)Jobcorps$1,649,476,000$1,551,244,000$98,232,000 (6.3%)Youthful OffendersReentry program$48,000,000$0$48,000,000### \n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\n \n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://lee.house.gov/news/press-releases/barbara-lee-to-take-food-stamp-challenge", "Barbara Lee to Take Food Stamp Challenge", "2007-06-04", "2007", "2007-06", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "06.04.07\n\t\t\t Barbara Lee to Take Food Stamp Challenge \n\t\t\t Representative Will Live on $21 of Food for a Week   (Washington, DC)    On Tuesday, in recognition of National Hunger Awareness Day, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) announced that she would be taking the Food Stamp Challenge  living on $21 worth of food for a week, the average weekly benefit for a food stamp recipient.There are thousands of people in my district and the millions of people in the United States for whom hunger is a daily issue and who rely on food stamps to get by.  Taking the challenge not only shines a spotlight on hunger in our country, it also gives members of Congress a personal understanding of the daily reality of millions of Americans, said Lee. Approximately 65,000 people in Alameda County are enrolled in the Food Stamp Program, only 53 percent of those who are eligible.  Nationally, the program helps more than 26 million low-income people purchase food for themselves and their families.  The program is designed as a safety net to help ensure people have access to food during difficult times, with the majority of people leaving the program within nine months.  More than half of food stamp recipients are children and eight percent are over 60 years of age.   In addition to raising the visibility of hunger in the United States and creating awareness of the difficulties faced by low income people in obtaining a healthy diet, Congressional participants in the challenge are hoping to build support for improving benefits and access to the food stamp program, which is due to be reauthorized this year as part of the Farm Bill. Changes to the Food Stamp Program made during the welfare reform legislation in 1996 effectively eroded the purchasing power of food stamps, so while the price of food has increased, the value of the food stamps has not kept pace, resulting in the current average of approximately $1 per meal. This program provides a critical safety net, said Lee, who received food stamps when she was attending college as a single mother of two.  I think it is important for the public to understand how many people rely on this program and just how limited their nutrition options are. In May, Lee and her Co-Chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, Congresswoman Lynn sent a letter co-signed by 94 of their House colleagues to, Chairman of the House Agriculture Committee, U.S. Representative Collin Peterson and Chairman of the Senate Agriculture Committee, U.S. Senator Tom Harkin, calling on them to support and fund a strong nutrition title in the 2007 Farm Bill. ### \n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\n \n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://lee.house.gov/news/press-releases/house-passes-lee-resolution-to-pressure-china-on-darfur", "House Passes Lee Resolution to Pressure China on Darfur", "2007-06-04", "2007", "2007-06", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "06.04.07\n\t\t\t House Passes Lee Resolution to Pressure China on Darfur \n\t\t\t(Washington, DC)    The House of Representatives today approved a resolution introduced by Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) calling on China to use its unique influence and economic leverage with the Sudan regime to help stop the ongoing genocide in Darfur. China is uniquely positioned to help end the genocide in Darfur and the fact is that they have been unwilling to do so, said Rep. Lee. This resolution sends a clear message that China needs to join the international community in working to end this genocide. Lee's resolution, which has the bipartisan support of 124 cosponsors, points out that the government of China has long-standing economic and military ties with Sudan and continues to strengthen these ties in spite of the on-going genocide in Darfur. For example, China reportedly purchases as much as 70 percent of Sudan's oil and has reportedly cancelled approximately $100 million in debt owed by the Sudanese government.  China also recently provided funds for a presidential palace in Sudan at a reported cost of approximately $20 million.  In addition, the human rights organization Amnesty International recently accused China and Russia of selling weapons to Sudan that are used in violence in Darfur.  The measure calls on China to acknowledge and condemn the atrocities in Darfur, cease all military arms and related sales and suspend economic cooperation with the Government of Sudan and investment in the country.  It also calls on China to urge Sudan to allow the entry of the U.N. sanctioned peacekeeping force and to comply with U.N. resolutions demanding that the Government of Sudan disarm militias operating in Darfur, to recommit a renewed peace process and to ensure the safety of civilians and humanitarian organizations.   The resolution comes as China prepares to host the 2008 Olympic games in Beijing, and Chinese diplomats have begun trying to head off efforts to tie the games to the genocide in Darfur.  The resolution recognizes that the spirit of the Olympics is incompatible with any actions supporting acts of genocide. By hosting the Olympics, China puts itself in the international spotlight and invites questions about their commitment to human rights, particularly with their ongoing support for the government of Sudan, despite its campaign of genocide in Darfur, said Rep. Lee. To suggest that somehow it is unfair to ask those questions is ridiculous. If China doesn't like the scrutiny, they can stop tacitly supporting genocide. The following is her statement from the House floor today (as prepared): Mr. Speaker, I want to begin by thanking Chairman Lantos and Ranking Member Ros-Lehtinen of the Foreign Affairs Committee and Chairman Payne and Ranking Member Smith of the Africa Subcommittee for their leadership on the issue of Darfur and for working with me to bring this bipartisan resolution with over 123 co-sponsors to the floor today. I also want to thank Congressman Jerry Moran of Kansas and Congressman Jim McGovern and their staffs for working with me on this resolution. Thirteen years ago the world stood by as nearly one million people were slaughtered in the genocide in Rwanda.  The best our country could do then was apologize for our failure to act. Many of us swore that another Rwanda would never again take place on our watch.  But today Mr. Speaker it is happening again. Nearly three years ago, under the leadership of my good friend Chairman Donald Payne, on July 22, 2004 Congress formally declared that genocide was taking place in Darfur. Estimates indicate that nearly 450,000 people have been killed and 2.5 million innocent civilians have been displaced to date. I witnessed this ongoing tragedy in January 2005 when I visited the refugee camps in Chad and Darfur with two great humanitarian leaders, Don Cheadle and Paul Rusesabagina. In February 2006, under the leadership of our Speaker, Nancy Pelosi, I visited the refugee camps again in another region of Darfur. And just this past April I returned from my third trip to the region, as part of a Co-del organized by our Majority Leader Steny Hoyer. From what we saw, the situation in Darfur is continuing to deteriorate.  More and more people are dying, and even humanitarian aid workers are at risk. The day before our delegation arrived, five African Union soldiers were killed in Darfur.   Unfortunately for many Darfurians, the situation remains grim. Mr. Speaker, I and many of my colleagues have spoken out repeatedly on this floor over the last four years in condemnation of the ongoing genocide in Darfur. Our efforts over the last few months have only intensified as we have sought to use every tool at our disposal to bring this genocide to an end. In April, we passed a resolution urging our partners in the League of Arab states to exert their influence on the Government of Sudan. In May, we called on the Defense Department to examine the rehabilitation of the Abeche airfield in Chad to support expanded humanitarian operations in Darfur. Last week many of us expressed our support for the President's announcement of additional sanctions on businesses controlled by the Government of Sudan, and on individuals in the Sudanese government. Today we take another step forward by calling on the Chinese to use their unique influence with Sudan to end the genocide. Mr. Speaker, there is no way to sugarcoat it.  China is the principal trading partner of a genocidal regime that has thumbed its nose at the international community. China reportedly purchases as much as 70 percent of Sudan's oil, has canceled over $100 million in debt, and has provided $20 million in funding to build a palace for General Bashir. China unquestionably has the unique ability to influence Khartoum in a positive manner, but they cannot do so by simply following a policy of appeasement. They must put real pressure on Bashir to comply with all UN resolutions and fully and unconditionally accept the UN-AU peacekeeping mission. They must urge Sudan to purse a renewed peace process with all parties, and they must insist that humanitarian organizations have unfettered access to the 2.5 million people who have been displaced. Most importantly however, they should deny Bashir the tools to continue perpetrating the genocide by cutting off all military arms sales and suspending economic cooperation with the Government of Sudan. Mr. Speaker, the economic costs to China for taking these steps today is minimal compared with the benefit that they would provide to the people of Darfur, and the international acclaim that China could win by helping to end the genocide. I urge our Chinese friends not to view this resolution today as a condemnation, but to view it instead as an opportunity to take action to end an urgent moral and humanitarian crisis. As we urge the Chinese to act, our own efforts to stop this genocide must also intensify. We have to pursue divestment from companies doing business with Khartoum. We've got to explore further sanctions and legislation that I know my colleague Donald Payne is working on. And we must continue to urge all parties, the rebels and the government, to lay down their arms and come to the table to negotiate a political solution  but we cannot and should not hold a ceasefire declaration hostage to a peace agreement or vice versa. Everyday we wait to act, the killings continue, the rapes continue, the starvation, the dislocationthey all continue. Mr. Speaker, genocide is happening again on our watch.  But this time, with the help of our allies in the international community and the bipartisan will and determination of this Congress and the administration, we can stop it. ###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://lee.house.gov/news/press-releases/barbara-lee-applauds-white-house-proclamation-recognizing-june-as-caribbean-american-heritage-month", "Barbara Lee Applauds White House Proclamation Recognizing June as Caribbean American Heritage Month", "2007-06-01", "2007", "2007-06", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "06.01.07\n\t\t\t Barbara Lee Applauds White House Proclamation Recognizing June as Caribbean American Heritage Month \n\t\t\t(Oakland, CA)    Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland), author of legislation approved in the 109th Congress by both Chambers of Congress that urged the President to make June Caribbean-American Heritage Month, issued the following statement today in response to the White House proclamation marking June once again as Caribbean-American Heritage Month: Today, June 1st, 2007, communities across the country are launching commemorative celebrations for the 2nd annual national Caribbean-American Heritage Month.  From our nation's inception, the Caribbean-American community has played an important role in our history, culture, and government.  I am pleased that the Caribbean-American community will be joined by the President in recognizing the important role their community has played in our history, and continues to play. As we prepare to host the leaders of the CARICOM nations in Washington, DC this month, our diplomatic relations are enhanced by this recognition of their nations' contributions to the history, growth and success of the United States.   That is also why I have introduced H. Con. Res. 148, a House resolution recognizing Caribbean-American Heritage Month, which was introduced with 36 bi-partisan co-sponsors, and currently has 51 co-sponsors.   I am working with my colleagues on the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee to bring that resolution to the floor as soon as we return next week. By commemorating the Caribbean-American community as we have the African-American, Latino, Irish-American, Asian Pacific-Islander, and many other communities, we celebrate the rich history and diversity of this nation.  That diversity and the designation of June as Caribbean-American Heritage Month should be an achievement celebrated by all. In the 109th Congress, both the House and Senate unanimously adopted Congresswoman Lee's bill, H. Con. Res. 71, to support designating June as National Caribbean-American Heritage Month for the first time. ### \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-white-house-permanent-occupation-policy", "Barbara Lee Condemns White House Permanent Occupation Policy", "2007-05-30", "2007", "2007-05", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "05.30.07\n\t\t\t Barbara Lee Condemns White House Permanent Occupation Policy \n\t\t\t(Oakland, CA) - Congresswoman Barbara Lee, who has led the fight in Congress to prevent the establishment of permanent military bases in Iraq, released the following statement today in response to the White House announcement yesterday that it views the U.S. military presence in South Korea as the model for Iraq: The White House announcement that they view South Korea as the model for a permanent U.S. military presence in Iraq is further evidence of how dangerously out of touch with reality this administration is.   On a strictly historical level, the comparison is comical.  A high school student could tell you that there are virtually no similarities between the Korea and Iraq.  The administration's inept attempts to come up with tortured historical analogies to try to justify a failed policy should be another reminder just how little creditability they have on the issue. The frightening truth is that there are obviously people within the Bush administration who believe that it is a good idea to occupy Iraq military on a permanent basis, which is why we have fought so hard in Congress to establish a clear policy to prevent permanent military bases in Iraq. The overwhelming majority of Iraqis want an end to the occupation, and for the White House to suggest that it will continue for another fifty years, or perhaps permanently, only fuels the insurgency and further endangers our troops. The American people are also calling for an end to the occupation, and the fact that the administration has responded by saying they think the occupation should be permanent just underlines not only how out of touch they are, but how critical it is for Congress to intervene to bring an end to this failed policy. ### \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-bush-request-for-aids-funds", "Barbara Lee Welcomes Bush Request for AIDS Funds", "2007-05-30", "2007", "2007-05", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "05.30.07\n\t\t\t Barbara Lee Welcomes Bush Request for AIDS Funds \n\t\t\tRenews Call for Elimination of Abstinence-Only Earmark (Oakland, CA) - Congresswoman Barbara Lee, one of the original authors of legislation that created the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), released the following statement in response to President Bush's request today that Congress extend and increase the program: PEPFAR is one of the few foreign policy initiatives where the President has broad bipartisan support among the Congress.  It has demonstrated real results by saving lives and preventing new infections, and deserves to be reauthorized and to have its funding increased. There are, however, still a few flaws in the program that we must fix in the next re-authorization.  As the Institute of Medicine's recent report recommended, we must remove the abstinence-only-until-marriage prevention earmark and better focus our AIDS programs to empower women and girls, both of which can be accomplished by including my bill, the PATHWAY Act, in the re-authorization of PEPFAR. While the president's $30 billion proposal is welcome, it is also critical to recognize that if any such investment in our global AIDS programs is to be successful, it must be coupled with increases in funding for other core development and humanitarian programs, including for programs to address basic education, nutrition, the health worker shortages, water and food security and other diseases like malaria and TB. As a co-author of the original legislation that established PEPFAR, I look forward to working with my colleague, the chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, Tom Lantos, in re-authorizing and strengthening our global AIDS programs in this Congress. ### \n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\n \n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://lee.house.gov/news/press-releases/barbara-lee-promotes-summer-free-meal-program-for-kids", "Barbara Lee Promotes Summer Free Meal Program for Kids", "2007-05-29", "2007", "2007-05", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "05.29.07\n\t\t\t Barbara Lee Promotes Summer Free Meal Program for Kids \n\t\t\t(Oakland, CA)  Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) was at the Cherryland Elementary School on Tuesday to help promote a program that provides free meals to children in the Ashland, Cherryland and Hayward area. \"This meal program provides a vital service to many local children and families, and it is important that people know about it,\" said Lee, who championed efforts to create a year-round child nutrition program while she was serving in the state legislature. The summer food service program provides approximately 3,000 meals per day to children under the age of 18 in the Ashland and Hayward area during the summer months when school is not in session. According to program organizers, many local families rely on school lunches to feed their children during the school year, and without the program many children would be at risk of going hungry. Lee was joined by Dr. Dale Vigil, Superintendent of the Hayward Unified School District; Grant Peterson, President of the Hayward Unified School District Board of Education; Al Schieder, the HUSD nutrition manager who oversees the free lunch program; and Jill Hoogendyk, Principal of the Cherryland Elementary School. The information on the meal program is as follows: SITEADDRESSDATESHOURSOPENMEAL TIMESEst.No.Ashland Community Ctr1530 167th Ave,San Leandro6/25-8/10 M-FClosed July 47:00-4:30BKFST 8-8:30LUNCH 12:00-12:45 80Chabot College25555 Hesperian Blvd (\"Snack Room\")6/25-7/20Closed July 4Meals onlyLUNCH 12:00-12:30250Cherryland Elem (SS)585 Willow Avenue7/6 - 8/3 M-FSummer Sch8:30-12:30BKFST 8-8:30LUNCH (see below) 200Cherryland Elem (YEP)585 Willow Avenue6/25-8/17 M-F7:00a-6:00pLUNCH 12:00-12:45SNACK 4:00-4:15No snack 7/6-8/3  Darwin Center (SE)27000 Bahama Avenue6/18 - 7/31 M-FClosed July 4Summer Sch8:15-1:00LUNCH 12:00-12:30 20Hayward High (SS)1633 East Avenue6/26 - 8/3 M-FClosed July 2, 3, 4Summer Sch8:15-1:00LUNCH 10:25-10:45 200Longwood School (ME-SS/YEP)850 Longwood Avenue7/6 - 8/3 M-FSS 8:30-12:30YEP 12:30-6:00BKFST 8-8:30LUNCH 12:15-12:45 200Markham Elem (SS/YEP)1570 Ward Street7/6-8/3 M-FSS 8:30-12:30YEP 12:30-6:00BKFST 8-8:30LUNCH 12:00-12:45 200Matt Jimenez Center28200 Ruus Road6/18 - 8/24 M-FClosed July 412:00-6:00 pmLUNCH 12:00-1:00SNACK 3:00-3:30250M.L.King Middle (SS)26890 Holly Hill Ave6/26-7/27 M-FClosed July 2, 3, 4Summer Sch8:30 - 12:30LUNCH 10:30-10:45 200Mt. Eden High (SS)2300 Panama Street6/26-8/3 M-FClosed July 2, 3, 4Summer Sch 8:15-1:00LUNCH 10:25-10:45 200Palma Ceia Elem (SS)27679 Melbourne Ave7/6-8/3 M-FSummer Sch8:30-12:30BKFST 8-8:30LUNCH (see below) 200Palma Ceia Elem (YEP)27679 Melbourne Ave\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n \n\t    \t\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article\n\t\t    \n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tOakland\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t1301 Clay Street, Ste. 1000-N\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tOakland, CA 94612\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tP: (510) 763-0370\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tF: (510) 763-6538MF: 9 am  5 pm (PST)\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tWashington, DC\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t2470 Rayburn House\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tOffice Building\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tWashington, DC 20515\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tP: (202) 225-2661\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tF: (202) 225-9817MF: 9 am  5:30 pm (EST)", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://lee.house.gov/news/press-releases/barbara-lee-responds-to-bush-sudan-sanctions", "Barbara Lee Responds to Bush Sudan Sanctions", "2007-05-28", "2007", "2007-05", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "05.28.07\n\t\t\t Barbara Lee Responds to Bush Sudan Sanctions \n\t\t\t(Oakland, CA) - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland), a Congressional leader in the fight to end the genocide in Sudan, released the following statement in response to President Bush's announcement of new sanctions against Sudan today: It is critical that we move forward with the deployment of international peacekeepers, and the Bashir government needs to understand that their stonewalling will not be accepted.  The sanctions the President announced today help to send that message, but I believe that we must go further.  We must strengthen the movement to divest from companies that are indirectly supporting the genocide, and we must force China to get serious about using its leverage with Sudan to help end the violence and negotiate a lasting peace agreement, said Lee. Lee, who has visited Darfur three times, introduced a resolution calling on the League of Arab States to take more aggressive action to end the genocide that was passed by the House in April.  The House will soon consider her legislation to bar federal contracts from going to companies that do business with Sudan as well as her resolution calling on China to use its diplomatic and economic influence with Sudan to help end the genocide. ### \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/2007/05/24/barbara-lee-blasts-blank-check-for-iraq", "Barbara Lee Blasts Blank Check for Iraq", "2007-05-24", "2007", "2007-05", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", null, 0, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://lee.house.gov/news/press-releases/barbara-lee-blasts-blank-check-for-iraq", "Barbara Lee Blasts Blank Check for Iraq", "2007-05-24", "2007", "2007-05", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "05.24.07\n\t\t\t Barbara Lee Blasts Blank Check for Iraq \n\t\t\t(Washington, DC)  Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) condemned the latest supplemental Iraq spending bill as a blank check and renewed her call for fully funded withdrawal during debate on the measure on the House floor today. The following is her statement:\r\nMr. Speaker, in 2003 Congress approved a $78 billion dollar supplemental. In 2004 it was $87 billion. In 2005 it was $82 billion. In 2006 it was $72 billion. And now the administration wants almost $100 billion more?\r\nAs of today, 3,429 of our brave troops and countless Iraqis have died in this occupation. The President has dug us into a deep hole in Iraq and it boggles my mind that Congress wants to give him another blank check to buy more shovels.\r\nThis occupation and civil war cannot be won militarily. Mr. Speaker, how many will have to die before this House stops writing blank checks?\r\nMr. Speaker, the American people are looking to Congress to end this failed policy and bring our troops home.\r\nTwo months ago, we took the Lee Amendment to the Rules Committee, which would have fully funded the safe and timely withdrawal of U.S forces from Iraq. That is what we should be voting to do today, not to give the President another blank check. I urge my colleagues to vote against this bill.\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-lees-statement-on-the-reopening-of-the-macarthur-maze", "Barbara Lees Statement on the Reopening of the MacArthur Maze", "2007-05-24", "2007", "2007-05", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "05.24.07\n\t\t\t Barbara Lee's Statement on the Reopening of the MacArthur Maze \n\t\t\t(Washington, DC)    Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) released the following statement in anticipation of the reopening of the MacArthur Maze only 27 days after a fire caused by a crashed tanker truck closed the I-580 and I-880 interchanges: Across the board, the I-580 collapse demonstrated how government should work in responding to an emergency situation.  From day one, local, state and federal governments forged a cooperative partnership with transit operators and the private sector to expedite the reconstruction effort and help commuters navigate around the collapse. Caltrans deserves a lot of credit for ensuring that the reconstruction of the I-580 connector was completed in the fastest, fairest and safest way possible. I want to particularly highlight the work of the Metropolitan Transportation Commission in coordinating mass transportation services across the Bay Area.  I also want to commend the work of AC Transit, BART and the ferry boat operators for their work in deploying resources to handle the increased ridership in their systems.  I hope that people who got a taste of these transit services over the last month liked their experience and will continue to use these vital services in the future to help reduce congestion on our roads. As the reconstruction ends, our job at the federal level to reimburse the state continues.   Just yesterday the House of Representatives voted to include an additional $871 million to top up the Federal Highway Administration's Emergency Relief Program. This money will not only reimburse California for the $343 million backlog in completed reconstruction projects, but will also provide an additional $25 million specifically to pay the state back for the re-construction of the MacArthur Maze. At the same time though we must also go back and fix the law that governs the Emergency Relief Program for the future to ensure that states are eligible to apply for reimbursement for all costs related to mass transportation and travel information services that are provided to cope with such emergencies. Currently as written the program can only reimburse the states for the costs incurred to run expanded ferry boat systems during an emergency declaration.  In a region as diverse as ours, with so many different modes of transportation we must ensure that all mass transit operators are eligible for reimbursement.  I will be working with my colleagues Senator Boxer, and Rep. Tauscher to make sure that we make this change as soon as possible. Transit and mass transportation are an important part of our transportation infrastructure.  I hope that as the legislature finalizes the budget this year that they will see fit to reject the Governor's misguided attempts to balance the budget on the back of mass transit. I want to thank commuters for their patience over the last month as we've all had to deal with this collapse and again I want to thank Caltrans, C.C. Meyers and all the contractors for working with a real sense of urgency.  I also want to especially recognize Mayor Dellums and his work in highlighting the added congestion and pollution problems that the connector collapse brought to the citizens of West Oakland.  I look forward to working with him to address these ongoing traffic and air quality issues in this vital part of my district. ### \n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\n \n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://lee.house.gov/news/press-releases/house-panel-passes-lee-resolution-to-pressure-china-on-darfur", "House Panel Passes Lee Resolution to Pressure China on Darfur", "2007-05-23", "2007", "2007-05", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "05.23.07\n\t\t\t House Panel Passes Lee Resolution to Pressure China on Darfur \n\t\t\t(Washington, DC)    The House Foreign Affairs Committee today approved a resolution introduced by Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) calling on China to use its unique influence and economic leverage with the Sudan regime to help stop the ongoing genocide in Darfur, clearing the way for a vote on the House floor. China is uniquely positioned to help end the genocide in Darfur and the fact is that they have been unwilling to do so, said Rep. Lee. This resolution sends a clear message that China needs to join the international community in working to end this genocide. Lee's resolution, which has the bipartisan support of 42 cosponsors, points out that the government of China has long-standing economic and military ties with Sudan and continues to strengthen these ties in spite of the on-going genocide in Darfur. For example, China reportedly purchases as much as 70 percent of Sudan's oil and has reportedly cancelled approximately $100 million in debt owed by the Sudanese government.  China also recently provided funds for a presidential palace in Sudan at a reported cost of approximately $20 million.  In addition, the human rights organization Amnesty International recently accused China and Russia of selling weapons to Sudan that are used in violence in Darfur.  The measure calls on China to acknowledge and condemn the atrocities in Darfur, cease all military arms and related sales and suspend economic cooperation with the Government of Sudan and investment in the country.  It also calls on China to urge Sudan to allow the entry of the U.N. sanctioned peacekeeping force and to comply with U.N. resolutions demanding that the Government of Sudan disarm militias operating in Darfur, to recommit a renewed peace process and to ensure the safety of civilians and humanitarian organizations.   The resolution comes as China prepares to host the 2008 Olympic games in Beijing, and Chinese diplomats have begun trying to head off efforts to tie the games to the genocide in Darfur.  The resolution recognizes that the spirit of the Olympics is incompatible with any actions supporting acts of genocide. By hosting the Olympics, China puts itself in the international spotlight and invites questions about their commitment to human rights, particularly with their ongoing support for the government of Sudan, despite its campaign of genocide in Darfur, said Rep. Lee. To suggest that somehow it is unfair to ask those questions is ridiculous. If China doesn't like the scrutiny, they can stop tacitly supporting genocide. ### \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/congressional-proposal-to-officially-pressure-china-on-genocide-in-darfur", "Congressional Proposal To Officially Pressure China On Genocide In Darfur", "2007-05-15", "2007", "2007-05", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "05.15.07\n\t\t\t Congressional Proposal To Officially Pressure China On Genocide In Darfur \n\t\t\tBipartisan, bicameral resolution calls on China to use ties to Sudanese regime, offers reminder of Beijing Olympics CONTACTS: Afshin Mohamadi (Menendez) 202-224-4744 Julie Little Nickson (Lee) 202-225-2661 Becky Ogilvie (Brownback) 202-228-3107 WASHINGTON  A new movement to pressure China to help stop the genocide in Darfur is being unveiled in Congress today, with support in both chambers and on both sides of the aisle. U.S. Senators Robert Menendez (D-NJ) and Sam Brownback (R-KS), along with U.S. Representatives Barbara Lee (D-CA) and Chris Smith (R-NJ), have introduced a resolution that would officially call on China to use its unique influence and economic leverage with the Sudan regime to stop the ongoing genocide in Darfur.   No country on Earth has the same type of military and economic influence with the Sudanese regime as China, said Sen. Menendez. Strong words and deeds could go a long way in Khartoum, but China has been silent and passive. The genocide has to stop, and China has to play its part. The eyes of the world will be on Beijing next year for the Olympics. It would be a shame for China if its moment on the world stage is muddied by its hands-off approach to the genocide in Darfur.      China's support for the status quo in Sudan and their apparent reluctance to join the international community in condemning the atrocities being committed in Darfur have become critical factors in prolonging the ongoing genocide, said Lee.  This resolution sends a clear message that China needs to join the international community in working to end this genocide. \"Sudan is committing genocide in Darfur that has left hundreds of thousands dead and millions displaced, said Sen. Brownback. Instead of condemning the atrocities committed by the Khartoum government, China has chosen to strengthen its military and economic ties with Sudan.  Innocent lives hang in the balance and it is crucial that China leverage the full weight of its relationship with Sudan to end the suffering in Darfur. Instead of joining the international community's call to end the genocide, China has served as enabler-in-chief to the atrocities that continue to take place in Darfur.  Not only have they provided Bashir with funds and weapons, but they have lavished him with gifts and a false sense of legitimacy.  The money and weapons that Sudan has received from China has made the Chinese Government complicit in these crimes against humanity.  Through this resolution, we are once again calling on China to finally step up to the plate and say no to this ongoing genocide, said Rep. Smith. The resolution points out that the government of China has long-standing economic and military ties with Sudan and continues to strengthen these ties in spite of the on-going genocide in Darfur.  For example, China purchases at least 70 percent of Sudan's oil and has reportedly cancelled approximately $100 million in debt owed by the Sudanese government.  China also recently provided funds for a presidential palace in Sudan at a reported cost of approximately $20 million.  In addition, the human rights organization Amnesty International recently accused China and Russia of selling weapons to Sudan that are used in violence in Darfur.   The measure calls on China to urge Sudan to allow the entry of the U.N. sanctioned peacekeeping force and to comply with U.N. resolutions demanding that the Government of Sudan disarm militias operating in Darfur.  It also calls on China to join the international community in threatening sanctions on the Sudanese government if it continues to carry out or support attacks on innocent civilians or to frustrate diplomatic efforts to end the violence. The resolution comes as Chinese preparations for the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing are heavily underway. The resolution recognizes that the spirit of the Olympics is incompatible with any actions supporting acts of genocide. \"By hosting the Olympics, China puts itself in the international spotlight and invites questions about their commitment to human rights, particularly with their ongoing support for the government of Sudan, despite its campaign of genocide in Darfur, said Lee. To suggest that somehow it is unfair to ask those questions is ridiculous. If China doesn't like the scrutiny, they can stop tacitly supporting genocide.\"  # # # The text of the will be available at this link shortly. \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-to-increase-community-policing", "Lee Votes to Increase Community Policing", "2007-05-15", "2007", "2007-05", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "05.15.07\n\t\t\t Lee Votes to Increase Community Policing \n\t\t\tThe House Restores the Highly Successful COPS Hiring Program (Washington, DC)  Congresswoman Barbara Lee today joined a bipartisan majority in the House of Representatives to pass H.R. 1700, the COPS Reauthorization Act.  This measure is designed to help local law enforcement agencies to hire an additional 50,000 police officers on the beat over the next six years.  The following are her remarks from the floor during debate this afternoon (as delivered): Thank you and I want to thank the gentleman for your stellar leadership as chair of the Judiciary Committee and thank my colleague, Congressman Weiner from New York, for your determination to make our Country safer, by the introduction of this bill.    The reauthorization of the C.O.P.S. program really does come at a very important time in our entire country.  As an example, C.O.P.S. has provided, since 1994 in my district alone, 45.5 million in grants.  These funds have allowed law enforcement agencies in my district to hire 552 additional police officers and 45 new school resource officers.  C.O.P.S. has also provided technology grants, totaling 2.9 million dollars in my district.   If passed, this bill will allow cops to hire more necessary officers.  The people of Oakland, Berkeley, Emeryville, the entire ninth Congressional district, could see 236 new officers, 13 million in grants, 19 school resource officers and 2.8 million in technology funding over the next six years.   Our communities throughout the country need C.O.P.S. program.  This is about public safety and violence prevention.   Community policing does work. ### \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-praises-strong-support-for-withdrawal-proposal", "Lee Praises Strong Support for Withdrawal Proposal", "2007-05-10", "2007", "2007-05", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "05.10.07\n\t\t\t Lee Praises Strong Support for Withdrawal Proposal \n\t\t\t(Washington, DC)    As the House took its first up-or-down vote on the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) characterized the vote as historic and the vote in favor of withdrawal as strong.  While defeat of the measure  which was similar to a proposal to fully fund withdrawal drafted by Lee  was expected, it drew far more support than was widely anticipated.  The final vote was 171-255. This was an historic vote and the strong showing in favor of redeploying our troops was a turning point.  While this measure was defeated today, it will prevail, she said. The following are her remarks from the floor during debate this afternoon (as delivered): Thank you, Mister Speaker and let me thank Chairman Obey, first of all, for your strong and determined effort and your diligent effort to end this war and also I want to thank the gentleman from Massachusetts, Mr. McGovern, for offering this bill. HR 2237, it does reflect the goals, the goals, of what we called the Lee Amendment,' which was sponsored by Congresswomen Waters, Woosley, Watson and Congresswoman Clark.   But let me tell you, the goal of this bill, as the goal of the Lee Amendment, really is an effort to fully fund the safe and timely redeployment of our troops from Iraq.  It is responsible, it is practical, it does not cut the funding, but it designates what the supplemental can be used for, and that is to fully fund a safe withdrawal and redeployment and help the Iraqis stabilize their country, with a diplomatic, social and reconstruction effort.   Members of Congress now have a choice between standing with the president or the American people who want an end to this occupation or the President, as I said, who wants an open-ended commitment to this failed policy.   History will record that this war was a deadly mistake.  History will document the damage that is has already done to our security and the security of the world, just as it already records the case for the war as fraudulent, something that we all would have known, had the house approved my amendment in 2002, that would have allowed the United Nation's inspectors to finish their job.   One day history will record that this unnecessary occupation ended.  What remains to be seen is when it will end and at what cost in lives, in treasure, in what cost to our security and the security of those of the world.   For those members who recognize that the President's policy is a failure but are concerned about voting to end this failed policy and to redeploy our troops, I have a question for you.  At what point will you be comfortable with that vote?  When the death toll hits five thousand or ten thousand?  Please vote for this!  Please vote to end this occupation and bring our young men and women home.  Please stop the death. ### \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/support-for-hr-2237", "Support for HR 2237", "2007-05-10", "2007", "2007-05", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", null, 0, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://lee.house.gov/news/press-releases/as-house-prepares-for-historic-vote-barbara-lee-speaks-out-in-favor-of-withdrawal", "As House Prepares for Historic Vote, Barbara Lee Speaks Out in Favor of Withdrawal", "2007-05-09", "2007", "2007-05", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "05.09.07\n\t\t\t As House Prepares for Historic Vote, Barbara Lee Speaks Out in Favor of Withdrawal \n\t\t\t(Washington, DC)    As the House prepares to take its first up-or-down vote on the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq later today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) spoke on the House floor this morning in strong favor of the measure, which mirrors a proposal for fully funded withdrawal she and other progressive members have been pushing for for months.  The following are her remarks as delivered: More than four years ago, the House of Representatives authorized a war in Iraq based on misrepresentations that were false.  Two billion dollars a week and climbing! Today we have an opportunity to support our troops and bring them home, when the house will vote to fully fund the safe and timely withdrawal of US troops from Iraq.   Last November, the American people gave Congress an overwhelming mandate to end the occupation of Iraq.   On this day, Mister Speaker, we can decide if we stand with the President to continue to support a failed policy with no end, or stand with the American people and our generals who understand that there is no military solution to the civil war and occupation in Iraq. HR 2237 reflects the goal of the Lee Amendment,' to fully fund the safe and timely withdrawal of our troops from Iraq.  It is responsible, it is practical, it does not cut the funding, but it designates what the supplemental can be used for and that is to fully fund a safe withdrawal and redeployment and help the Iraqis stabilize their country with a diplomatic, social and reconstruction effort.   This occupation cannot be won militarily.  I urge my colleagues to support the goals of HR 2237 to vote for it because those of us who worked so hard on the Lee amendment, prior to today, support this and want to see a strong vote for it. ### \n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\n \n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://lee.house.gov/news/press-releases/progressives-force-vote-on-fully-funded-withdrawal-from-iraq", "Progressives Force Vote on Fully Funded Withdrawal from Iraq", "2007-05-09", "2007", "2007-05", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "05.09.07\n\t\t\t Progressives Force Vote on Fully Funded Withdrawal from Iraq \n\t\t\tContact: Nathan Britton 202-225-2661 (Lee), Chris Shields 202-225-5161 (Woolsey), Mikael Moore 202-225-2201 (Waters) Washington, DC - After months of behind the scenes wrangling, the Congressional Progressive Caucus, and the Out Of Iraq Caucus succeeded in getting a vote on a measure calling for the fully funded withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq within 180 days, a position advanced for months by Members of both groups, and made part of the CPC's official platform in February.  The legislation, which was introduced last night by Congressman Jim McGovern (D-MA), will be the first in a series of three votes that the House will take up today on Iraq. \"This bill is in keeping with the CPC and OOIC priorities to end the occupation in Iraq and provide security and sovereignty for the Iraqi people.  In fact, it largely mirrors the provisions in the \"Lee Amendment,\" which was presented before the Rules Committee earlier this year during consideration of the first Supplemental,\" wrote caucus leaders Lynn Woolsey (D-CA), Barbara Lee (D-CA) and Maxine Waters (D-CA) in a letter to progressive members early this morning.  \"We are pleased that the Congress will get to vote on the issues which are core to our Caucus' beliefs, and encourage you to vote for it.   \"We applaud the work of Speaker Pelosi and her leadership team for the tremendous work they have done to bring an end to the occupation of Iraq, and see this vote as a great step forward.\" ### \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/statement-in-support-of-hate-crimes-bill", "Statement in Support of Hate Crimes Bill", "2007-05-03", "2007", "2007-05", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", null, 0, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://lee.house.gov/news/press-releases/house-debates-congresswoman-lees-resolution-commemorating-the-200th-anniversary-of-the-end-of-the-transatlantic-slave-trade", "House Debates Congresswoman Lee's Resolution Commemorating the 200th Anniversary of the end of the Transatlantic Slave Trade", "2007-05-01", "2007", "2007-05", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", null, 0, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://lee.house.gov/news/press-releases/barbara-lee-facilitating-federal-response-to-freeway-collapse", "Barbara Lee Facilitating Federal Response to Freeway Collapse", "2007-04-30", "2007", "2007-04", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "04.30.07\n\t\t\t Barbara Lee Facilitating Federal Response to Freeway Collapse \n\t\t\t(Oakland, CA)   Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) reported that she has been in contact with federal, state and local authorities to ensure that federal resources are available to deal with the closure of the I-580 and I-880 following a fire and collapse of a section of one of the freeways over the weekend. Everyone is committed to making sure that the disruptions to local commuters are as short and as painless as possible.  My office is working with federal, state and local agencies to ensure that they have the full support of the federal government to make the necessary repairs to our local freeways, said Lee.  We have been in ongoing contact with CalTrans, the Department of Transportation, local transit operators as well as the Congressional committees that oversee transportation funding, and we aim to make sure that the federal response to this accident is robust and timely. Lee participated Sunday in a conference call featuring Dale Bonner, California State Secretary of the Business, Transportation and Housing Agency and Commissioner Mike Brown from the California Highway Patrol as well as representatives from BART and AC Transit.  Lee's office has also been coordinating with the office of Congresswoman Ellen Tauscher (D-Walnut Creek), who serves on the House Committee on Transportation, and Lee spoke with Congressman Jerry McNerny (D-Livermore), who also serves on the committee, on Sunday. Federal Highway Administration inspectors are examining the site of the collapse today to determine whether reconstruction efforts will be eligible for federal funds, a determination that is considered likely and should be made today.  The Governor's office has requested a waiver to make federal money available immediately, as opposed to reimbursing the state later. Authorities are still waiting for reports from engineers on the degree of damage sustained by the I-880, both from the fire and from the collapse of the I-580 above.  If the section of I-880 impacted by the fire and the collapse is determined not to be structurally sound, it is likely that the cost of repairs will exceed the $100 million cap on federal reimbursement per state emergency, a situation Lee says would require Congressional intervention. It is possible that the repair costs will exceed the regular federal emergency reimbursement, in which case, Congress would need to act, and we are monitoring the situation closely and prepared to take whatever action is necessary to ensure that the funds are available, and commuters lives can be returned to normal as soon as possible, said Lee. Earlier today, Lee's office sent an email alert to constituents, providing information on alternative routes and public transportation options. ### \n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\n \n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://lee.house.gov/news/press-releases/house-approves-lee-bill-honoring-the-200th-anniversary-of-the-end-of-the-transatlantic-slave-trade", "House Approves Lee Bill Honoring the 200th Anniversary of the End of the Transatlantic Slave Trade", "2007-04-30", "2007", "2007-04", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "04.30.07\n\t\t\t House Approves Lee Bill Honoring the 200th Anniversary of the End of the Transatlantic Slave Trade \n\t\t\t(Washington, DC)    The House today unanimously approved a resolution introduced by Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the end of the transatlantic slave trade. H. Res. 272 recognizes the historical significance of the 200th anniversary of the abolition of the transatlantic slave trade to the world; respects the memory of those who died as a result of slavery, supports the preservation of historical records and documents and urges increased education of current and future generations about this crime against humanity. March 25th was the 200th Anniversary of the passage of the Slave Trade Abolition Act, which was enacted by the British Parliament in 1807. The following is Congresswoman Lee's statement, as prepared for delivery: Madame Speaker, I would like to thank Chairman Lantos and Chairman Payne for their support and commitment in bringing my resolution, H.Res. 272, to the floor today. Madame Speaker, H.Res. 272 commemorates a very somber and serious occasion--the 200th anniversary of the abolition of the transatlantic slave trade by the United Kingdom.  Two hundred years ago on March 25th in 1807, Great Britain abolished the transatlantic slave trade in England and its colonies.  This act began a worldwide revolt against the trade of human beings by other European nations.   This is an important milestone because it represents the beginning of the end of one of the most deplorable chapters in human history.  Madame Speaker, I have had the overwhelmingly moving experience of traveling to the areas from where these slaves came from. One of my most distinct memories was standing at the Doors of No Return.  Every slave castle has such a door.  This door represented so many things to me.  At this door, my ancestors stand on the shores of their homeland for the last time in their lives.  At this door a fate awaited them that I wouldn't wish on my worst enemy.  And over 400 years later, there I was standing in the door as one of their descendants who survived and returned.  Standing in front of these doors, it is impossible to ignore the fact that those who walked through these doors laid the foundation of many modern nations that have a colonial pastincluding the United States. The slave trade was vital to England and other European colonial powers.  It provided the basis for modern capitalism to take root, generating immense wealth for business enterprises in colonial America and Europe.   In many ways, the industrial strength of our nation was built on the blood, sweat and tears of African Americans' free labor.  Today, the U.S. reaps the fruits of labor of these enslaved Africans. However, in spite of the considerable riches enslaved Africans created for others, the slave trade also represented was the lowest expression of humanity.   Captured Africans were subjected to the worst forms of cruelty and inhumanity.  Millions were crammed in the hulls of slave ships like sardines in a can.  The stench of filth and death reeked from the ships.  Disease ran rampant throughout the ships.  Traders used any means of violence to subdue insurrection including torture, mutilation and rape.  The death rate during transport would reach as high as 50 percent.  The world will never know the exact number of enslaved Africans transported to America.  But, it is estimated that between 10 to 15 million were brought here, making it the largest forced migration in history.   Given its immense significance, it is unfortunate that the transatlantic slave trade is a subject only briefly discussed in our nation's classrooms. It is essential that we acknowledge how slavery created attitudes of racism that persists in our society today. Sadly, the legacy of the slave trade and slavery are with us to this day.   Just consider the facts: nearly one quarter of African-Americans in the U.S. live in poverty.  African-Americans have one of the highest unemployment rates at 9.6 percent, and of the 46 million who lack health insurance, about 20 percent are African-American and many of these are children. Slavery may be over, but in many ways the vestiges remain.  That is why, Madame Speaker, it is important that we are considering this resolution today. We must honor the courage of those who died in slavery, and those who worked to end it.  But at the same time, we must use this occasion to recommit ourselves to eliminating the disparities that exist in our society. We must not let their sacrifices been in vain. ###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://lee.house.gov/news/press-releases/barbara-lees-statement-on-the-passing-of-jack-valenti", "Barbara Lees Statement on the Passing of Jack Valenti", "2007-04-27", "2007", "2007-04", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "04.27.07\n\t\t\t Barbara Lee's Statement on the Passing of Jack Valenti \n\t\t\t(Oakland, CA)    Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) released the following statement in response to the news that former White House aide and President of the Motion Picture Association of American, Jack Valenti on Thursday: Yesterday the nation lost a giant, both in politics and motion pictures.  Jack Valenti was a friend, and I will miss the terrific passion that he brought to everything he did, but in particular our work together in the fight against HIV/AIDS.  Our thoughts and prayers are with his family. ###   \n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\n \n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://lee.house.gov/news/press-releases/barbara-lee-hosts-discussion-with-global-aids-coordinator", "Barbara Lee Hosts Discussion with Global AIDS Coordinator", "2007-04-26", "2007", "2007-04", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "04.26.07\n\t\t\t Barbara Lee Hosts Discussion with Global AIDS Coordinator \n\t\t\t(Oakland, CA)    Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) organized an opportunity for representatives from local organizations engaged in the fight against HIV/AIDS to discuss AIDS policy with the U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator, Ambassador Mark Dybul on Friday evening in Oakland. I have long said that our battle against the global HIV/AIDS pandemic is linked to our battle against HIV/AIDS in the United States and here in Oakland.  We are part of this global pandemic and as we talk about the need to confront HIV in Africa, and the Caribbean, we must also talk about the need to confront it here in the United States, said Lee.  It's a privilege to have the opportunity to meet with Ambassador Dybul here in Oakland to discuss both local and global efforts to stop this disease. Dybul oversees the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), which Lee co-authored legislation to create.  This year he will be managing nearly $4 billion in global AIDS programs across several departments and agencies of the U.S. government. In attendance were Dr. Robert Scott, Co-Chair (Allen Temple AIDS Ministry); Dr. Ellen Schell, Director (Global AIDS Interface Alliance); Dr. Anthony Iton, Director (Alameda County Public Health Department); Dian Harrison, CEO and Director (Planned Parenthood Golden Gate), Ronald Person, Director (Office of AIDS: ACPHD), Dr. Eric Goosby, CEO (PANGEA Global AIDS Foundation), Rene Durrazzo, Program Development Consultant (PANGEA Global AIDS Foundation); Dr. Daniel Robbins, Chairman (KAPNEK Pediatric AIDS Fund); Gloria Locket, Director (CAL-PEP); and Denise (Denny) Martin, Program Officer (San Francisco Foundation). ###   \n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\n \n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://lee.house.gov/news/press-releases/barbara-lee-responds-to-report-on-poverty-in-the-us", "Barbara Lee Responds to Report on Poverty in the U.S.", "2007-04-25", "2007", "2007-04", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "04.25.07\n\t\t\t Barbara Lee Responds to Report on Poverty in the U.S. \n\t\t\t(Washington, DC)    Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland), Co-Chair of the House Out-of-Poverty Caucus, responded to a report released today on the growth of poverty in the United States over the last six years and praised its recommendations for cutting poverty in half over the next ten years. Our country should be a land of opportunity, but the sad reality is that income inequality continues to grow, and more people are falling into poverty than are getting ahead.  We are heading in the wrong direction, and we need a national commitment to addressing the growing poverty crisis in this nation, said Lee, who helped found the Out of Poverty Caucus earlier this year and has led Congressional efforts to make fighting poverty a priority.  Fighting poverty isn't a mystery, it just requires us to make a commitment and dedicate the resources, and this report offers a welcome blueprint. The report, From Poverty to Prosperity, a National Strategy to Cut Poverty in Half, was released by the Washington, DC based Center for American Progress.  It found that 37 million Americans, more than the population of the state of California, are living in poverty and that the number has grown by five million since 2000.  The report based its recommendations on four principles: promoting decent work, providing opportunity for all, ensuring economic security, and helping people build wealth.   They included: raising the minimum wage and indexing it to inflation, expanding the earned income and child tax credits, promoting unionization by making it easier for employees to vote to join a union, offering child care assistance for low income families and guaranteeing early education for all, and providing two million people with opportunity housing vouchers.  The report is available online at: http://www.americanprogress.org/issues/2007/04/poverty_report.html . ### \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-bill-calls-on-arab-states-to-help-end-the-genocide-in-darfur", "Barbara Lee Bill Calls on Arab States to Help End the Genocide in Darfur", "2007-04-24", "2007", "2007-04", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "04.24.07\n\t\t\t Barbara Lee Bill Calls on Arab States to Help End the Genocide in Darfur \n\t\t\t(Washington, DC)    Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) gave the following statement on the House floor during debate on H.Con.Res. 7, the Darfur Partners for Peace Act, her resolution calling on the member nations of the League of Arab States to take more aggressive action to end the genocide in Darfur (text as prepared for delivery): Mr. Speaker, I want to begin by thanking Chairman Lantos, Chairman Payne, and the Majority Leader for their leadership on the issue of Darfur and for working with me to bring this bipartisan resolution with over 115 co-sponsors to the floor today. Thirteen years ago the world stood by as nearly one million people were slaughtered in the genocide in Rwanda.  The best our country could do then was apologize for our failure to act. Many of us swore that another Rwanda would never again take place on our watch.  But today Mr. Speaker it is happening again. Nearly three years ago, on July 22, 2004 Congress formally declared that genocide was taking place in Darfur. Estimates indicate that nearly 450,000 people have been killed and 2.5 million innocent civilians have been displaced to date. I witnessed this ongoing tragedy in January 2005 when I visited the refugee camps in Chad and Darfur with two great humanitarian leaders, Don Cheadle and Paul Rusesabagina. In February 2006, under the leadership of our Speaker, Nancy Pelosi, I visited the refugee camps again in another region of Darfur. And just two weeks ago I returned from my third trip to the region, as part of a Co-del organized by our Majority Leader Steny Hoyer. From what we saw, the situation in Darfur is continuing to deteriorate.  More and more people are dying, and even humanitarian aid workers are at risk. The day before our delegation arrived, five African Union soldiers were killed in Darfur. Unfortunately for many Darfurians, the situation remains grim. As part of our trip, we also went to Egypt and met directly with President Mubarak.   He indicated that Egypt had deployed 900 troops to help implement the comprehensive peace agreement in Southern Sudan.  Additionally Egypt had sent about 150 military observers and police to Darfur and was supporting a field hospital there that was serving 200,000 people. While these efforts were appreciated, we urged him to do more and use his influence with the Sudanese government to help stop the atrocities. News reports last week indicate that Egypt, Saudi Arabia, the League of Arab States and the UN, were all instrumental in pressuring Bashir to accept the second phase of the three part agreement to implement an AU-UN hybrid peacekeeping force. If true, this agreement to deploy the so called heavy support package' would provide an additional 3,000 peacekeepers, helicopters, and significant logistical and military support for the hybrid force. However, past experience has taught us that we can never take Bashir at his word.  News reports the very next day detailed a UN investigation that caught Khartoum disguising military supply planes in UN colors in order to supply weapons to their Janjaweed allies. The international community and our partners in the League of Arab States cannot allow this sort of double-dealing to take place.  We've all got to keep the pressure on Khartoum, and that's why we've got to pass this bipartisan resolution today. The thrust of my resolution is very simple.  It calls on the League of Arab States and each Member State to be our partners for peace by stepping up their efforts to end the genocide in Darfur. For too long they have been silent partners in this struggle.  I remember in my trips to Algeria and Egypt several years ago that government officials were reluctant to call the ongoing atrocities in Darfur genocide - and some even denied genocide was taking place. Even just last week Egypt expressed its opposition to further UN sanctions against Sudan urging that we give Bashir more time. While it appears today that in some cases those outlooks are changing, there is much more that they and we can do. We must demand that Bashir follow through on the full deployment of the AU-UN hybrid force. We must urge all parties, the rebels and the government, to end the violence and come to the table to negotiate a political solution  but we cannot and should not hold a ceasefire declaration hostage to a peace agreement or vice versa. And we must insist that Darfurians can return home to their villages and reclaim their lives.   Our own efforts to stop this genocide must also intensify. We've got to pursue divestment to remove all U.S. funding from any business that is supporting the Sudanese government and the ongoing genocide. We've got to explore further sanctions and legislation that I know my colleague Donald Payne is working on. Lastly, we must engage with the Chinese to leverage their influence on the Sudanese government and to help put a stop to the violence.  As the principal buyer of oil from Sudan, the Chinese have the ability to exert political and financial pressure on Bashir that other governments cannot.  We need their help to end the genocide, and we should not allow them to duck this responsibility. Everyday we wait to act, the killing continues, the rapes continue, the starvation, the dislocation, they all continue. Mr. Speaker, genocide is happening again on our watch.  But this time, with the help of our allies in the international community and the bipartisan will and determination of this Congress and the administration, we can stop it. ###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"]], "truncated": false, "filtered_table_rows_count": 141, "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 \"year\" = :p0 order by date desc limit 101", "params": {"p0": "2007"}}, "facet_results": {"party": {"name": "party", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?year=2007", "results": [{"value": "Democrat", "label": "Democrat", "count": 141, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?year=2007&party=Democrat", "selected": false}], "truncated": false}, "chamber": {"name": "chamber", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?year=2007", "results": [{"value": "House", "label": "House", "count": 141, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?year=2007&chamber=House", "selected": false}], "truncated": false}, "state": {"name": "state", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?year=2007", "results": [{"value": "CA", "label": "CA", "count": 141, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?year=2007&state=CA", "selected": false}], "truncated": false}, "year": {"name": "year", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?year=2007", "results": [{"value": "2007", "label": "2007", "count": 141, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}}, "suggested_facets": [], "next": "2007-04-24,https~3A~2F~2Flee~2Ehouse~2Egov~2Fnews~2Fpress-releases~2Fbarbara-lee-bill-calls-on-arab-states-to-help-end-the-genocide-in-darfur", "next_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?year=2007&_next=2007-04-24%2Chttps~3A~2F~2Flee~2Ehouse~2Egov~2Fnews~2Fpress-releases~2Fbarbara-lee-bill-calls-on-arab-states-to-help-end-the-genocide-in-darfur&_sort_desc=date", "private": false, "allow_execute_sql": true, "query_ms": 8.903509005904198, "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"}