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May 8, 2008--PDA national team members Tom Pallow and Mike Hersh stood with Congressional Progressive Caucus and Out of Iraq Caucus members at a press conference calling for a halt to war spending. California Representatives Maxine Waters, Lynn Woolsey, Barbara Lee-known as “the Triad”-as well as Rep. Dennis Kucinich (OH), Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee (TX) and Rep. Jerrold Nadler (NY) were joined by Shawn O'Donnell, former PDA-endorsed Virginia congressional candidate and Peace Action's Political Director Paul Kawika Martin to demand the House leadership appropriate funds only for the safe and orderly return of U.S. Troops and contractors-not continuation of the war and occupation.

Rep. Waters, the chair of the Out of Iraq Caucus, welcomed her colleagues and peace activists to the early-morning press conference on the Cannon Office Building Terrace, making a stand against the Congressional Democratic leadership's plans to appropriate another $108 billion for the war. [more]

April 18, 2008--Faced with growing evidence that the U.S. economy has slipped into a recession, U.S. Representatives Barbara Lee (D-CA) and Lynn Woolsey (D-CA) --Co-Chairs of the Congressional Progressive Caucus (CPC)--today called on congressional leaders to quickly bring to the House floor a second economic stimulus package, preferably as a stand-alone bill to be debated and voted upon before consideration of the upcoming FY08 Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Bill. In a CPC letter to the House Democratic Leadership, CPC Members are calling for action on a $118.9 billion package that includes many of the most effective recession-fighting tools left out of the first economic stimulus package enacted in early February (i.e. increasing federal funding for unemployment insurance and food stamp benefits, Federal Medical Assistance Percentage (FMAP) Medicaid payments to states, home foreclosure relief and housing assistance, reinvesting and creating jobs (including “green” jobs) in the near-term repairing the nation's schools, transportation infrastructure and public housing, and building new wastewater treatments plants, expanding the earned income tax credit for families with 3 or more children, and making the child tax credit fully refundable for families with at least $3,000 in earnings. (See accompanying letter.)  [more]

Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-9) released the following statement on the House floor today in support of H.Res.1095, which honors the 40th anniversary of congressional passage of Title VIII of the Civil Rights Act of 1968, or the Fair Housing Act:

“The Fair Housing Act was critical in ending the rampant discrimination in the housing industry 40 years ago. Today the Fair Housing Act continues to play a vital and significant role in ensuring fair and equal access to housing for all Americans.

“It is, in part, due to the failure of this administration to enforce these civil rights laws that lead to the predatory lending practices that fueled the housing crisis our nation now faces. [more]

Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-9), a Member of the House to sit on both the Committee on Foreign Affairs and the Appropriations Committee's State Foreign Operations Subcommittee, released the following statement regarding the testimony of General David Petraeus and Ambassador Ryan Crocker before Congress:

“There is no military solution to Iraq, and neither General Petraeus nor Ambassador Crocker offered anything to rebut that reality. What we heard was more of the same about a war without end and the failed policies of the Bush administration in Iraq.

“In its sixth year, this occupation has claimed the lives of over 4,000 brave soldiers, wounded over 28,000 others and has pushed our economy further into recession. [more]

Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-9) released the following statement in advance of the Beijing Olympic torch pass through San Francisco:

“The public outcry against China human rights record and its hosting of this year’s Olympics has cast a shadow over the Bay Area’s distinction as the only North American stop on the worldwide Olympic Torch Relay. Like the millions of activists around the world who are speaking out, I am very concerned about the continuing repression of the Tibetan people and China’s resistance to pressuring the regime in Sudan to end the ongoing genocide in Darfur.

“The genocide in Sudan is entering its sixth brutal year and the situation is deplorable. [more]

The PDA family is pleased to hear that Rep. Lynn Woolsey is recovering well from her recent  back surgery. We look forward to her return to the hill. Woolsey has been an ardent advocate for progressive change and is a member of the PDA Advisory Board.

 

On February 8,  Woolsey announced she had been increasingly suffering from back pain for much of the past year, and was unable to return to Washington that week as a result.  The successful surgery, which treated a disc related condition in her lumbar spine, was performed at the University of California, San Francisco Medical Center.

Many members of the PDA family responded to PDA board chair Mimi Kennedy's request to send get-well cards to Rep. Woolsey--the following is her response: [more]

Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-9) released the following statement in support of legislation, H. Res. 76, to establish a national holiday in honor of labor leader, Cesar Chavez:

“César Chávez was a great civil and human rights leader and such an important historical figure of our Nation. This resolution, H.Res.76, is a great way to pay tribute to the man and his many accomplishments.

“César made a difference not only for Latinos and migrant workers, but for the poor and the working poor. And he also built a coalition of conscience across racial and economic boundaries.

“I am reminded of the political support César provided to me during my first campaign for the California legislature – For that I will always be grateful. He was truly a hero who showed that one person can make a difference. I considered it an honor to walk in his funeral procession behind his humble wooden coffin, filled with pride for all he did for the world, our country and my home state. [more]

March 20, 2008--Rep. Maxine Waters (CA-35) sent a letter to President Bush expressing deep concern over the plight of displaced Iraqis. The letter was led by Rep. Maxine Waters, Armed Services Chairman Ike Skelton, Foreign Affairs Middle East and South Asia Subcommittee Chairman Gary Ackerman, Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe Chairman Alcee Hastings, Representatives Barbara Lee and Lynn Woolsey, and was signed by 83 other Members of Congress from both political parties.

Rep. Waters said, “This letter sends a strong message that Congress is committed to addressing the humanitarian crisis confronting Iraqi refugees and internally displaced persons. The displacement crisis will get worse if ignored and we look forward to the President’s support as we work to address this issue.”

The text of the letter is as follows: [more]

A co-founder of the Out of Iraq Caucus,  Co-Chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, and PDA board member Representative Lynn Woolsey (D-CA) today issued the following statement to mark the five-year anniversary of the occupation of Iraq. In January 2005, Woolsey became the first Member of Congress to call for a withdrawal from Iraq, and continues to be one of the most vocal anti-war members in Congress.

“Five years ago today, President Bush took to the oval office to tell the world that the invasion of Iraq was underway. Five years later our country finds itself in an unwinnable quagmire, a failure so great that it will forever overshadow the lengthy list of President Bush’s other disappointments and missed opportunities during his eight years in office.

“The invasion of Iraq has cost us the lives of nearly 4,000 of our nation’s bravest and brightest men and women. Fathers and mothers, brothers and sisters, have been taken from their families and loved ones, which represent the greatest and most horrific sacrifice that any nation could be every be forced to bear. [more]

Budget Helps Rescue Faltering Economy and Rebuild America’s Infrastructure

March 12--Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-9), Co-chair of the Progressive Caucus (CPC) and PDA Advicory Board member, released the following statement touting the CPC budget alterative that balances moral and fiscal priorities:

“The CPC’s budget is the only proposal that addresses poverty head on and is also the only alternative to cut even one dime from Pentagon spending. Progressives are very concerned that the Bush administration’s bloated defense budget request is the highest since WWII and propose limiting defense spending to $468.3 billion, which is $68.7 billion under the President’s request and does not compromise national security.

“Because Americans have been hit hard by the Iraq recession, our alternative assumes the redeployment of troops and contractors from Iraq between now and FY 2009, saving tax-payers at least $135 billion over the next 18 months. [more]

March 7-- U.S. Representatives Barbara Lee and Lynn Woolsey, Co-Chairs of the Congressional Progressive Caucus (CPC) and other CPC Members, including U.S. Representative Maxine Waters, Chair of the Out of Iraq Caucus, have introduced new Iraq-related legislation to reassert the constitutional powers of Congress in the shaping and conduct of U.S. foreign policy. The Foreign Commitments, Congressional Powers, and Status of Forces Resolution will also enable the U.S. House of Representatives to make crystal clear that President Bush cannot skirt the Congress and commit U.S. troops to permanent or enduring U.S. bases inside Iraq or any other country by any other means than a treaty, statute, or concurrent resolution of both Houses of Congress specifically providing for such a foreign commitment. (See the full text.)

“The Bush administration cannot unilaterally establish a long term military presence in Iraq, tying the hands of future presidents, without Congressional approval,” Congresswoman Lee declared. [more]

Includes Requirement to Redeploy U.S. Troops and Military Contractors Within One Year of Enactment

 U.S. Representatives Lynn Woolsey and Barbara Lee, Co-Chairs of Congressional Progressive Caucus (CPC) and other CPC Members, including U.S. Representative Maxine Waters, Chair of the Out of Iraq Caucus introduced new sweeping legislation yesterday to change the course of U.S. policy in Iraq in many ways, including a requirement to redeploy virtually all U.S. troops and military contractors within one year of the date of enactment of this comprehensive new bill--The Fully-Funded U.S. Military Redeployment and Sovereignty of Iraq Restoration Act.

“ We agree with a clear majority of the American people who have concluded that President Bush mistakenly ordered the U.S.-led military invasion and subsequent occupation of Iraq nearly 5 years ago. That is why we are redoubling our legislative battle inside Congress to redirect U.S. policy in Iraq and bring our troops and military contractors home within one year of the date of enactment of our new legislation,” Congresswoman Woolsey declared. “According to General Casey, U.S. Army Chief of Staff, 'there is no question that the army is stretched as a result of more than 6 years of war and  [is]out of balance today' and, according to Admiral Mullen, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs, 'the U.S. military is taking a significant risk with current troop deployments.' [more]

February 15,2008--The Co-Chairs of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, Congresswomen Barbara Lee (CA-9) and Lynn Woolsey (CA-6), today demanded that President Bush provide an opportunity for all Members of Congress to have the same access to classified documents regarding his Administrations domestic spying program. In a letter sent today, the Co-Chairs called on the President to provide House Members with classified access to documents pertaining to the program, access which to this point has been denied. The letter comes as the debate in the House over an extension of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act continues to heat up, and follows a letter signed by 29 House and Senate Members that the Progressives sent to the President last week telling him that they will oppose any legislation that includes retroactive immunity for telecommunications companies who participated in the Administration’s warrantless program. Lee and Woolsey issued the following statements:

“It is imperative that the Bush administration give Members of Congress access to these documents before we take any further votes on this issue,” said Congresswoman Lee, co-chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus. “After keeping us in the dark about the true extent of this program, it is time for the Bush administration to come clean and level with lawmakers who are concerned about its impact on civil liberties.”  [more]

Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-9), a PDA advisotu board member, delivered the following statement Friday during a hearing in the House Financial Services Committee addressing the signing statement President Bush issued on Lee's Darfur divestment law: [As prepared]

Thank you very much Chairman Barney Frank.

The Sudan Accountability and Divestment Act would have not been possible without your leadership, your intellect, your understanding of what we had to do in terms of making sure that the legislative process worked.

I also want to thank you for your moral and ethical commitment for understanding America's role in our world and how this House Financial Services Committee, under your leadership, can really address and become once again a leader in setting a new moral standard. [more]

Congresswomen Barbara Lee, Lynn Woolsey & Progressives Target Bush Spying Program with Telecoms

Declaring that telecommunications companies involved in President's Bush's domestic spying program “undermined [the] fundamental civil protections and privacy rights of Americans,” twenty-nine House Members today wrote to President Bush to warn him that they will oppose any legislation that grants the companies retroactive immunity.

The telecommunication firms in question, including Verizon and AT&T, surrendered confidential account information without demanding a court order to do so. In their letter, which was organized by Congressional Progressive Caucus Co-Chairs Rep. Lynn Woolsey (D-CA) and Barbara Lee (D-CA), the House and Senate Members cited the need for a comprehensive judicial revue of the companies' involvement, and faulted the Administration for failing to properly brief the Congress on the extent of the program's activities. [more]

Complete CPC and Allies News Archives