Press Releases

“At a time when the international community faces such daunting and dangerous challenges, we are fortunate to have the strong and steady guidance of Congresswoman Barbara Lee. Recommending her was an easy choice, and her nomination ensures that the United Nations will gain an extraordinary champion to help move us forward on the path to peace.”

“So, half-a-century later, from the tragedy of losing the little girls, we only hope that the senseless and premature deaths of these four little girls still ignite the fires of progress and fan the flames of freedom. We only hope that we can have the strength and wisdom to live up to their legacies as we award them, tearfully, the highest honor that Congress can bestow: the Congressional Gold Medal. I don’t remember us ever giving this medal to anyone so young, even adding all of their ages together, so young..."

"...Here in California, we are blessed with the leadership of Senator Barbara Boxer, who voted for the resolution marked up this week in the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. As Senator Boxer noted in her statement before committee, “And then in 2003, we passed the Syria Accountability Act by a vote of 89 to 4. I wrote that bill with Senator Santorum..."

“Congressional Republicans must put aside political obstruction and start working with Democrats to deliver a budget that will create jobs, expand the economy, strengthen the middle class, and responsibly reduce the deficit. Democrats are working to move our country forward in building a strong economy that delivers the bright and boundless future that every American deserves.”

"As we continue our thoughtful conversation on the President’s request for Congressional authorization on Syria, a number of Members have suggested diplomatic efforts instead of a military strike. These efforts are not mutually exclusive..."

"The Senate resolution addresses some of the concerns expressed by many of our House members. Specifically, the resolution prevents boots on the ground, ties the authorization more closely to the use of chemical and other weapons of mass destruction and has a limited timetable."

"Responses included suggestions to add language to prevent boots on the ground, to tie the authorization more closely to the use of chemical weapons and to address concerns about an open-ended timetable. Chairman Israel has suggested language along these lines, and Congressmen Chris Van Hollen and Gerry Connolly have also put forward a proposal."

"...The President honored us with his presentation this morning that he does not take going into a military action lightly. That there are compelling reasons, the evidence, the intelligence is clear that Assad perpetrated this attack of using weapons of mass destruction, really. Weapons of mass destruction, deterring their use, is a pillar of our national security..."