Congresswoman Barbara Lee has been representing California’s 13th District since 1998. She is the highest ranking African American woman in Democratic Leadership, serving as Co-Chair of the Policy and Steering Committee. She also serves on the Budget Committee and the powerful Appropriations Committee, which oversees all federal government spending.
Her father was a veteran of two wars and her mother broke many glass ceilings and racial barriers. After grammar school, Congresswoman Lee moved to San Fernando, California and worked with the local NAACP to integrate her high school cheerleading squad.
Since entering Congress, Congresswoman Lee has authored or co-authored every major piece of HIV/AIDS legislation, both domestic and global. As a member of the powerful federal spending committee, Congresswoman Lee leverages her position on two key subcommittees to support prevention, education, research and access to treatment while combatting stigma.
Congresswoman Lee is dedicated to achieving an AIDS-free generation. As co-chair and co-founder of the bipartisan and bicameral Congressional HIV/AIDS Caucus, Congresswoman Lee leads the effort to advance legislation that addresses the HIV/AIDS pandemic while educating Members of Congress about the virus, its impact and affected populations.