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.
Congresswoman Lee is a leading voice for global peace and security. In Congress, she works to reduce conflict, end wars, advance human rights, promote diplomacy and address the conditions that spark violence. She served as a representative to the 68th and 70th United Nations General Assemblies.
Following the horrific events on September 11th, Congresswoman Lee cast the lone vote against the overly broad authorization for the use of military force (AUMF). In the years since, this AUMF has become a blank check for endless war and has been used to justify military actions in more than 30 countries without Congressional oversight.
As a member of the powerful federal spending committee, Congresswoman Lee is dedicated to increasing effective foreign assistance and reshaping Pentagon spending to meet the our nation’s real and pressing 21st century national security needs.