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Rep. Barbara Lee
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Congresswoman Barbara Lee is a forceful and progressive voice in Congress, dedicated to social and economic justice, international peace and civil and human rights.

First elected in 1998 to represent California’s 9th Congressional District, the Democratic lawmaker has established a reputation for principled and independent stands, unafraid to take on the tough issues and speak her mind for her constituents, for a more just America and for a safer world. As a social worker by profession, being an advocate for people in dealing with the federal bureaucracy has been a priority.

She has aggressively represented the needs of the underserved and vulnerable people in her district and throughout the U.S., vigorously advocating for a wide range of social and economic concerns and bread-and-butter issues that affect their daily lives. She has earned a reputation as an effective legislator who works in a bipartisan manner to achieve results in congressional committees. In 2008, she authored a book about her life experiences.

The Congresswoman has been a strong proponent of safe communities, affordable housing, the homeless, low-income energy assistance, job training, making health care affordable and universal, just immigration policies, the establishment of a living wage and protection of the right of women to make decisions about their reproductive health. She is the immediate past chair of the Congressional Black Caucus and former co-chair of the Progressive Caucus.

Her accomplishments are many, including authoring or co-authoring every major piece of legislation dealing with global HIV/AIDS issues since she was elected to Congress. This includes legislation that created the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), the Global Fund to Fight HIV/AIDS, TB and malaria, and the position of Special Advisor for Orphans and Vulnerable Children. She has secured millions of dollars for HIV/AIDS prevention, education, treatment and care services in Alameda County.

An early and outspoken opponent of the Iraq War, the congresswoman repeatedly proposed legislation seeking early U.S. troop withdrawal. In 2007, she successfully blocked funds from being used to establish permanent military bases in Iraq. Her 2008 amendment requiring that any U.S. agreement to defend Iraq be expressly authorized by Congress or be included in a Senate-approved treaty was stripped from a defense bill under the threat of a veto by President Bush.

Congresswoman Lee has been a leader in the bipartisan effort in Congress to end the ongoing genocide in Darfur, Sudan, including the passage of legislation that she authored to allow divestment from companies doing business in the region.

The Congresswoman has worked tirelessly to strengthen relations between the United States and its Caribbean neighbors, promoting engagement and dialogue through educational exchange programs, travel and fair trade, including the ending of the ineffective embargo against Cuba. In 2005 she was nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize along with women from 150 countries as part of the international project 1000 Women for Peace.

Congresswoman Lee began her political career as an intern in the office of her predecessor, former Congressman and former Oakland Mayor Ron Dellums, where she eventually became his Chief of Staff. Before being elected to Congress, she served in the California State Assembly and in the California State Senate.

Blog Entries by Rep. Barbara Lee

On Our Watch

(1) Comments | Posted April 30, 2013 | 4:12 PM

As we gather to mark April as Genocide Awareness month, to recognize atrocities across the world and throughout history, it's important not just to recognize the past, but to learn from it.

Ten years ago this month, the international community joined together to bring the world's attention...

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Solving the Fiscal Impasse Starts and Ends at the Pentagon

(157) Comments | Posted January 9, 2013 | 11:14 AM

As Afghan President Hamid Karzai returns to the United States this week, he will meet President Barack Obama at a time when the overwhelming majority of the American people and a strong bipartisan coalition of Congress believe it is long past time to bring the war to a safe and...

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It's Time for a Plan "D"

(1) Comments | Posted December 21, 2012 | 3:28 PM

After last night's Republican Plan "B" debacle and failure to find agreement within their own Caucus left them with no pathway forward, it is now time for all parties to unite around a new plan, a Plan "D" on the deficit deal.

"D" is for dream -- the American Dream....

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Toss Wasteful Defense Weapons Programs Off the Cliff

(0) Comments | Posted December 5, 2012 | 12:30 PM

Many of us in the Congressional Progressive Caucus recognize that no serious plan to address the deficit can go forward without defense spending reforms on the table. The bloated Pentagon budget has increased a staggering 95 percent dating back to 2000. We continue to spend billions upon billions of dollars...

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International AIDS Conference Comes to Washington: A Call for Global Solidarity

(1) Comments | Posted July 5, 2012 | 12:19 PM

This summer, while the focus in Washington will remain on debt reduction and spending cuts, for the first time in over twenty years, the International AIDS Conference will take place here - in the United States from July 22-27. The location of AIDS 2012, a premier meeting for...

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A New Dawn for STEM Education

(0) Comments | Posted May 14, 2012 | 5:49 PM

Despite California's 11 percent unemployment rate, high-tech industries face the challenge of filling a wide range of highly skilled positions that are central to the most advanced industries in the world. Our nation's future depends on remedying this mismatch in supply-and-demand by preparing our children to take jobs...

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The Power of a Mother

(2) Comments | Posted May 8, 2012 | 10:14 AM

The Huffington Post's Global Motherhood section joins Mothers Day Every Day, an initiative of the White Ribbon Alliance and CARE, in a countdown to Mother's Day. Pulling together diverse voices, Mothers Day Every Day is raising awareness and calling for greater U.S. leadership to...

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Conference Committee Must Extend Emergency Unemployment Benefits

(13) Comments | Posted February 2, 2012 | 4:31 PM

This week on Capitol Hill, a conference committee convened its second meeting to resolve the differences between the House and Senate in extending unemployment benefits beyond the end of the month. The conference committee for H.R. 3630 is tasked with coming to an agreement on the addressing the extension of...

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It's Finally Over!

(2) Comments | Posted December 15, 2011 | 8:37 AM

This holiday season, our nation can relish the return of our brave men and women in uniform from Iraq. One-hundred five months after the infamously non-existent weapons of mass destruction issue was used by President George W. Bush to justify an invasion of Iraq, we are marking the end of...

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Marking World AIDS Day

(0) Comments | Posted December 1, 2011 | 11:30 AM

December 1 is World AIDS Day -- a time to honor friends and loved ones lost, reflect on the tremendous progress in our collective response, and to recommit ourselves to fighting this crisis.

This year marks 30 years after the first discovery of AIDS cases in the United States....

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My Comments on Occupy Oakland

(5) Comments | Posted October 27, 2011 | 11:56 AM

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...

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Huge Victory! Troops Coming Home from Iraq!

(3) Comments | Posted October 21, 2011 | 3:53 PM

This is a huge victory for those of us who have been pushing for an end to the war in Iraq. I look forward to welcoming our brave men and women back home for the holidays. We will never forget the enormous sacrifices made by so many of our brave...

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Ten Years Later: Is Anyone Paying Attention?

(95) Comments | Posted October 21, 2011 | 11:34 AM

Earlier this month, we passed the decade marker for the U.S. invasion of Afghanistan, but most Americans would have never known. It is long past time that we focus on Afghanistan, and avoid walking backwards into an open-ended military commitment that could last another ten years or more.

When I...

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A Big, Bold Jobs Plan

(49) Comments | Posted September 8, 2011 | 1:53 PM

With President Barack Obama preparing to address a joint session of Congress about our unemployment crisis tonight, our message to him -- as his reliable supporters and political allies -- is simple: Think big and act boldly.

Americans expect and deserve nothing less.

Millions of people are waking up every...

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Race Is Still a Factor in America

(474) Comments | Posted August 10, 2011 | 9:02 PM

Recently the question has again surfaced: "Do we live in a post-racial America?" While I recognize and celebrate the many victories won by the civil rights movement and the progress our society has made in facing issues of ongoing racial inequality, highlighted by the historic election of President Barack Obama,...

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Progressives in Congress: Immediately End Our War in Libya

(8) Comments | Posted June 23, 2011 | 12:34 PM

Today, the following statement was issued by Congressional Progressive Caucus Peace and Security Taskforce Co-Chairs US Representatives Mike Honda, Barbara Lee and Lynn Woolsey & Congressional Progressive Caucus Co-Chair US Representative Raúl Grijalva:

The Co-Chairs of the Congressional Progressive Caucus Peace and Security Taskforce call on Congress and the President...

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A Responsible End to the War in Afghanistan

(97) Comments | Posted February 17, 2011 | 8:13 AM

On September 14, 2001, I placed the lone vote against the "Authorization of Use of Force" -- an authorization that I knew would provide a blank check to wage war anywhere, at any time, and for any length. Nearly a decade later, the United States remains embroiled in the longest...

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Reflections During MLK Week

(0) Comments | Posted January 20, 2011 | 11:37 AM

It is with a heavy heart that I continue to reflect upon the horrendous act of violence that occurred in Arizona on January 8, 2011. During this time of reflection, I pray for my colleague, Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, her family, staff, supporters and all of the victims and survivors of...

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Haitian Priorities Must Drive International Reconstruction Efforts

(4) Comments | Posted January 13, 2011 | 2:13 PM

One year has passed since a magnitude 7.0 earthquake devastated the island nation of Haiti. Our hearts and thoughts remain with the Haitian people as we remember the tragedy that unfolded on that fateful day.

On this anniversary, we are provided with an opportunity to not only remember those who...

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More Troops Not the Answer in Afghanistan

(124) Comments | Posted January 6, 2011 | 1:31 PM

In response to reports that an additional 1,400 U.S. troops will be deployed to Afghanistan in the coming weeks, I must state that I categorically oppose a further escalation of the U.S. troop presence in Afghanistan.

In 2001, I placed the lone vote against the 2001 Authorization for...

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