My Comments on Occupy Oakland
Huffington Post
October 27, 2011

I shared my outrage and grave concern about the police brutality in Oakland directly with the mayor. My thoughts go out to the injured and especially Scott Olsen . I strongly support the Occupy movement and continue to stand with the peaceful protesters in this struggle for economic justice and equality.

Continue reading article >>

Congresswoman Helps Oakland Port Reach Major Funding Milestone for Deepening Project
Dredging Today
October 19, 2011

Congresswoman Barbara Lee helped the Port of Oakland reach a major funding milestone of nearly $350 million for harbor deepening and maintenance. Deeper vessel channels mean that the Port can remain globally competitive, support job retention and growth, and drive positive economic impact for the region, state and nation."

Continue reading article >>

The War on Women's Health
Barbara Lee
The Hill
October 18, 2011

Last week, House Republicans launched their latest assault on what I have been calling a War on Women. The so-called "Protect Life Act," which passed the House, would harm the lives of women in this country, particularly low-income women and women of color who have become central targets of this shameful agenda.

Continue reading article >>

Rep. Barbara Lee Urges Defense Spending Reforms
The State Column
October 14, 2011

"Forty-one Members of Congress from both sides of the aisle joined Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) in a request to the Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction (Supercommittee) to seek out savings and work to end wasteful spending by considering cuts to the Department of Defense. Realizing that significant savings can be found without compromising national security, leaders urged for common sense defense spending reforms as Supercommittee Members form a plan to reduce the deficit in the federal budget."

Congress Set to Pass Trade Pacts
Seung Min Kim
Politico
October 12, 2011

"Congress is set on Wednesday to pass three long-stalled free-trade deals with Colombia, Panama and South Korea with bipartisan backing – marking a scarce moment of congressional unity over the creations of jobs...

"We do not believe that our country should reward these right-wing death squads in Colombia," said Rep. Barbara Lee (D-Calif.)."

My Word: We Must Come Together to Fight Poverty
Barbara Lee
Oakland Tribune - My Word
October 10, 2011

Imagine for a moment if every single household in 24 states in America were all trapped by a life of poverty. How would our nation respond?

It would be a national emergency and we would mobilize every resource to provide those families with adequate food, clothing and shelter. We would come together as a nation and mount a national effort to solve the crisis of poverty.

On Sept. 13, the U.S. Census released a report, "Income, Poverty, and Health Insurance Coverage in the United States: 2010," which revealed a record 46.2 million people lived in poverty in America, a number equal to the population of 24 of our states.

Continue reading article >>

Dems Rally Behind 'Occupy Wall Street' Protest Movement
Alicia M. Cohn
The Hill
October 5, 2011

Democrats are rallying behind the "Occupy Wall Street" movement, with several lawmakers endorsing the protests in New York City that have begun to spread to other cities...

Rep. Barbara Lee (D-Calif.), a leader in both the Congressional Black and Congressional Progressive caucuses, also gave voice to the protesters this week.

"All of us should join that movement," Lee told a liberal crowd gathered in Washington on Tuesday for the Take Back the American Dream conference.

Continue reading article >>

Congressional Black Caucus Annual Leadership Conference Takes On HIV/AIDS
Candace Y.A. Montague
Black Voice News
October 3, 2011

"Rep. Barbara Lee (D-CA) hosted this discussion about the triumphs and trials that still exist as we mark the 30th anniversary of the HIV/AIDS epidemic. The panel, moderated by Phill Wilson, president and CEO of the Black AIDS Institute, strongly communicated the message that although we have made many strides in combating HIV and AIDS--including treatment advancements, lower rates of mother-to-child transmission, the end of the travel ban and the National HIV/AIDS Strategy--we have a long way to go to end the epidemic."

Continue reading article >>

Fighting for Jobs, Fighting for You: A Message From Rep. Barbara Lee, Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus
By Barbara Lee, Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus
Black Voices
October 19, 2010

Even without the monthly unemployment numbers from the Bureau of Labor Statics, it is obvious that too many Americans are hurting. From the grocers who see the unusual rush of families buying food at midnight because that is the very first moment when their nutrition assistance is available to employers who see overwhelming numbers of applications for any job listing, people all across this country know that their friends and neighbors are struggling.

Continue reading article >>

Time To Repeal Congress' Blank Check On Wars
Barbara Lee, Guest Op-ed
San Francisco Chronicle
September 30, 2010

“Following the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, Congress passed a joint resolution broadly authorizing the president to use ‘all necessary and appropriate force’ against those involved in attacking our nation and to prevent any future acts of international terrorism against the United States. I was the only member of Congress who voted against the ‘Authorization for the Use of Military Force’ because I knew some would use it as a blank check to wage war anywhere around the world. It is safe to say that if we knew at the time what the next decade would bring, I would not have been alone.”

Continue reading article >>

Catching Up With Congresswoman Barbara Lee
Cynthia Gordy
Essence
September 17, 2010

“The Congressional Black Caucus Foundation's Annual Legislative Conference has been dubbed one of the most powerful weeks in Washington. On its opening day this week, ESSENCE.com tagged along (or tried to!) with CBC President, Congresswoman Barbara Lee, one of the city's most powerful women.”
Continue reading article

“Just after House Speaker Nancy Pelosi addressed the legislative conference of the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation Wednesday, Rep. Barbara Lee offered an endorsement that would warm the heart of any congressional leader facing the prospect of landslide losses this fall.

‘Everyone here recognizes why we all say you are the greatest speaker ever,’ Lee, caucus chairwoman, said to cheers from the audience.”

Continue reading article >>

“As chair of the Congressional Black Caucus, Rep. Barbara Lee, who represents northern California's 9th District, leads one of the nation's most prominent African-American instruments for social change. On Monday she released a memo in which she encouraged America and the media to revamp how they discuss race and racism, and called the phrase ‘national dialogue about race’ a cliché.”

Continue reading article >>

“Rep. Barbara Lee, chairwoman of the Congressional Black Caucus and one of President Barack Obama's key supporters, voiced disappointment Tuesday at his decision to send more U.S. troops to Afghanistan, even as antiwar activists struggled with a public generally opposed to the plan yet curiously apathetic so far.”

Continue reading article >>

Afghanistan War Upends Deficit-Spending
Jared Allen
The Hill
December 1, 2009

“Those who care about the deficit should care about it now,” said Rep. Barbara Lee (D-Calif.), chairwoman of the Congressional Black Caucus and the only member to vote against invading Afghanistan in 2001. “If you won’t support the healthcare package when people are desperate, how can you support increasing the number of troops in Afghanistan on strategy that isn’t going to work?”

Continue reading article >>

Democrats Work On Multibillion-Dollar Jobs Package
Peter Nichols
Los Angeles Times
November 27, 2009

"I hope we don't play around the edges with this and we do what will work. Invest the money now," said Rep. Barbara Lee (D-Oakland), who chairs the Congressional Black Caucus. "We have to create jobs, and we have to create them right away."

Continue reading article >>

“Senate’s Turn To Pass Health Plan”
Marc Morial
Hudson Valley Press
November 25, 2009

“As Congresswoman Barbara Lee has said, "Grassroots mobilization helped elect the first African-American to the presidency of the United States of America. Grassroots activism will help us pass a health care reform with a strong public option." We won round one, but we need your help to achieve a final victory. Remember, "It ain’t over till it's over."

Continue reading article >>

Barbara Lee Still Speaks For Me
Janet Wall
OpEd News
November 24, 2009

“On a bright, sunny fall Monday, November 23, in downtown Oakland, Congresswoman Lee emerged from the Federal Building to a big pink greeting committee, as codepinkers from the East Bay waved “Barbara Lee Still Speaks for Me!” signs and called out, “Welcome home! We love you!” Inge of Berkeley rushed forward to present the 9th district rep with three red roses, which Lee accepted with a radiant smile.”

Continue reading article >>

Lee Holds Rally To End Afghanistan War
Josh Richman
Oakland Tribune
November 23, 2009

“It's time to ratchet up the rhetoric not only against a U.S. troop increase in Afghanistan, but in favor of withdrawing our troops and rescinding the authorization that sent them there eight years ago, Rep. Barbara Lee told a cheering crowd Monday.”

Continue reading article >>

Congresswoman Comes To Aid Of Single Army Mom
Darragh Worland
Tonic
November 17, 2009

“A California congresswoman is coming to the aid of a single mother who is being detained after she refused to deploy to Afghanistan on Nov. 5.”
Continue reading article

UN Decries Marginalisation Of Minorities
The UK Guardian
November 13, 2009

“Lee emphasised that the sooner genuine efforts are put in place globally to allow ethnic, religious and linguistic minorities the leverage to participate in issues and decisions that affect their common destiny, the sooner peace and development would be engendered at all levels of human society.”

Continue reading article >>

Dems Say Their Changes Bolster Health Care Plan
Drew Joseph, Carolyn Lockhead
San Francisco Chronicle
November 7, 2009

“The new rules would also require insurers to publish rate increases. The public option will help end disparities in coverage based on race and ethnicity, Lee said, which is "essential if we're going to bring down cost for the 85 percent of Americans who already have insurance."

Continue reading article >>