Barbara Lee

Democrat Representative of California's 12th district

Representative
California, district 9
April 7, 1998 - January 3, 1999
Representative
California, district 9
January 6, 1999 - January 3, 2001
Representative
California, district 9
January 3, 2001 - January 3, 2003
Representative
California, district 9
January 7, 2003 - January 3, 2005
Representative
California, district 9
January 4, 2005 - January 3, 2007
Representative
California, district 9
January 4, 2007 - January 3, 2009
Representative
California, district 9
January 6, 2009 - January 3, 2011
Representative
California, district 9
January 5, 2011 - January 3, 2013
Representative
California, district 13
January 3, 2013 - January 3, 2015
Representative
California, district 13
January 6, 2015 - January 3, 2017
Representative
California, district 13
January 3, 2017 - January 3, 2019
Representative
California, district 13
January 3, 2019 - January 3, 2021
Representative
California, district 13
January 3, 2021 - January 3, 2023
Representative
California, district 12
January 3, 2023 - January 3, 2025

202-225-2661

@RepBarbaraLee

lee.house.gov

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Congresses Served

House Terms

July 16, 1946 (78 years old)

Birthday

Has served as a U.S. representative since 1998
Born and raised in Texas, educated at Mills College and the University of California, Berkeley
Started her career working on Shirley Chisholm’s presidential campaign and was involved with the Black Panther Party
Served in the California State Assembly and State Senate before being elected to the House of Representatives
Noted for her progressive stance, chaired the Congressional Progressive Caucus and the Congressional Black Caucus
Founding member and vice chair of the Congressional LGBTQ+ Equality Caucus, co-chair of the Congressional Cannabis Caucus, and co-chair of the House Democratic Steering Committee
Played a significant role in the antiwar movement, especially known for her vocal criticism of the Iraq War and for being the only member of Congress to vote against the authorization of use of force following the September 11 attacks
Was a candidate for the United States Senate in the 2024 election but did not win
Involved in early political activism, including volunteering at the Black Panther Party’s Community Learning Center and working on Bobby Seale’s mayoral campaign
Authored 67 bills that were signed into law during her time in the California State Legislature, including acts focused on hate crimes prevention and violence against women
Has a strong advocacy record for gun control, environmental protection, education, and cannabis law reform
Opposed the 2001 Authorization for Use of Military Force, making her the only member of Congress to vote against it
Has been critical of military actions and foreign policy decisions, including opposition to supplying cluster munitions to Ukraine
Supports legislation restricting the availability of guns and has participated in sit-ins against gun violence
Introduced the Women and Climate Change Act to address the disproportionate effect of climate change on women
Pro-choice advocate, sharing her personal story to highlight the importance of reproductive rights
Has received various awards for her courage and advocacy, including the Seán MacBride Peace Prize and the Mario Cuomo Act of Courage Award