Barbara Lee
Former representative for California's 12th district · Democrat; served until January 3, 2025
View:InteractiveSummary Compare with another member · All members from California
Seats held: Representative for CA-12, 2023–2025 · Representative for CA-13, 2013–2023 · Representative for CA-9, 1998–2013.
CA-12 has about 734,000 residents.
Votes compared with what constituents said
- Cooperative Election Study: voted with 67 of 75 surveyed votes where the district's estimated majority was clear.
- Democracy Fund + UCLA Nationscape: voted with 11 of 11 surveyed votes where the district's estimated majority was clear.
| Survey question | Vote | How they voted | What constituents said | Compared |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Renew post-9/11 surveillance programs that allow searching electronic data without a warrant (FISA reauthorization) | April 12, 2024 · official record | Nay (against the proposal) | Most oppose (28.1% support, likely 20.2–35.9%) | With the majority |
| Ban TikTok unless China sells it to a U.S. company | March 13, 2024 · official record | Nay (against the proposal) | Too close to call (48.8% support, likely 40.5–57.1%) | Too close to call |
| Deny asylum to immigrants who cross the U.S.-Mexico border illegally (Secure the Border Act) | May 11, 2023 · official record | Nay (against the proposal) | Too close to call (48% support, likely 39.7–56.4%) | Too close to call |
| Clean-energy tax credits, lower ACA premiums and Medicare drug price negotiation (Inflation Reduction Act) | August 12, 2022 · official record | Yea (for the proposal) | Most support (77.5% support, likely 70.1–84.9%) | With the majority |
| Limit gun magazines to 10 bullets | July 29, 2022 · official record | Yea (for the proposal) | Most support (75.2% support, likely 70.4–79.9%) | Related bill, not counted |
| Ban assault rifles (Assault Weapons Ban of 2022) | July 29, 2022 · official record | Yea (for the proposal) | Most support (78.5% support, likely 74.2–82.9%) | With the majority |
| $52 billion for U.S. semiconductor manufacturing and research (CHIPS and Science Act) | July 28, 2022 · official record | Yea (for the proposal) | Most support (69.7% support, likely 62.1–77.3%) | With the majority |
| Spend $2.2 trillion over ten years on prekindergarten, child care, college aid, housing and elder care (Build Back Better Act) | November 19, 2021 · official record | Yea (for the proposal) | Most support (75.1% support, likely 67.6–82.5%) | With the majority |
| Spend $150 billion a year for 8 years on roads, bridges, transit, water systems and broadband (Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act) | November 5, 2021 · official record | Yea (for the proposal) | Most support (88.1% support, likely 81.8–94.3%) | With the majority |
| Spend $150 billion a year for 8 years on roads, bridges, transit, water systems and broadband (Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act) | November 5, 2021 · official record | Yea (for the proposal) | Most support (87.1% support, likely 78.6–95.6%) | With the majority |
| Prohibit government restrictions on access to abortion services (Women's Health Protection Act) | September 24, 2021 · official record | Yea (for the proposal) | Most support (68.4% support, likely 60.8–76%) | With the majority |
| Require Justice Department approval of election-law changes in places with a history of discrimination (John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act) | August 24, 2021 · official record | Yea (for the proposal) | Most support (80.6% support, likely 71.8–89.3%) | With the majority |
| Establish a commission to investigate the January 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol | May 19, 2021 · official record | Yea (for the proposal) | Most support (74.6% support, likely 65.6–83.7%) | With the majority |
| Grant statehood and representation in Congress to Washington DC (Washington, D.C. Admission Act, 2021) | April 22, 2021 · official record | Yea (for the proposal) | Most support (68.3% support, likely 57.1–79.5%) | With the majority |
| Require equal pay for women and men doing similar jobs (Paycheck Fairness Act) | April 15, 2021 · official record | Yea (for the proposal) | Most support (87.5% support, likely 79.3–95.7%) | With the majority |
| Create a path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants brought here as children (American Dream and Promise Act, 2021) | March 18, 2021 · official record | Yea (for the proposal) | Most support (84.4% support, likely 80.4–88.4%) | With the majority |
| Require background checks for all gun purchases (Bipartisan Background Checks Act, 2021) | March 11, 2021 · official record | Yea (for the proposal) | Most support (93.4% support, likely 90.6–96.1%) | With the majority |
| Authorize up to $1.9 trillion in COVID relief (American Rescue Plan) | March 10, 2021 · official record | Yea (for the proposal) | Most support (71.9% support, likely 64.3–79.4%) | With the majority |
| Authorize up to $1.9 trillion in COVID relief (American Rescue Plan) | March 10, 2021 · official record | Yea (for the proposal) | Most support (73.8% support, likely 64.6–83%) | With the majority |
| Protect workers who strike and unions' organizing (PRO Act) | March 9, 2021 · official record | Yea (for the proposal) | Most support (78.8% support, likely 69.8–87.7%) | With the majority |
| Increase accountability for police misconduct (George Floyd Justice in Policing Act) | March 3, 2021 · official record | Yea (for the proposal) | Most support (86.7% support, likely 78.1–95.2%) | With the majority |
| Prohibit discrimination based on gender identity and sexual orientation (Equality Act) | February 25, 2021 · official record | Yea (for the proposal) | Most support (80% support, likely 71.2–88.9%) | With the majority |
| Impeach and convict President Trump (January 2021) | January 13, 2021 · official record | Yea (for the proposal) | Most support (76.3% support, likely 66.1–86.6%) | With the majority |
| Legalize marijuana (MORE Act) | December 4, 2020 · official record | Yea (for the proposal) | Most support (74% support, likely 67.2–80.7%) | With the majority |
| Ban people from predominantly Muslim countries from entering the United States | July 22, 2020 · official record | Yea (against the proposal) | Most oppose (17.5% support, likely 11.4–23.6%) | Related bill, not counted |
| Grant statehood and representation in Congress to Washington DC (Washington, D.C. Admission Act) | June 26, 2020 · official record | Yea (for the proposal) | Most support (68.3% support, likely 57.1–79.5%) | With the majority |
| Ban police officers from using chokeholds | June 25, 2020 · official record | Yea (for the proposal) | Most support (79.5% support, likely 70.3–88.8%) | Related bill, not counted |
| HEROES Act ($3 trillion more in coronavirus relief, May 2020) | May 15, 2020 · official record | Yea (for the proposal) | Most support (83% support, likely 76.6–89.3%) | With the majority |
| Allow people to work in unionized workplaces without paying union dues | February 6, 2020 · official record | Yea (against the proposal) | Most support (61.9% support, likely 54.6–69.1%) | Related bill, not counted |
| Impeach President Trump (December 2019) | December 18, 2019 · official record | Yea (for the proposal) | Most support (65.7% support, likely 56.4–74.9%) | With the majority |
| Remove President Trump from office for obstruction of Congress | December 18, 2019 · official record | Yea (for the proposal) | Most support (74% support, likely 67.1–80.9%) | With the majority |
| Remove President Trump from office for abuse of power | December 18, 2019 · official record | Yea (for the proposal) | Most support (73.1% support, likely 66.1–80%) | With the majority |
| Raise the minimum wage to $15 an hour (Raise the Wage Act) | July 18, 2019 · official record | Yea (for the proposal) | Most support (85.4% support, likely 79.7–91.1%) | With the majority |
| Raise the minimum wage to $15 an hour (Raise the Wage Act) | July 18, 2019 · official record | Yea (for the proposal) | Most support (79.3% support, likely 72.7–86%) | With the majority |
| Raise the minimum wage to $15 an hour (Raise the Wage Act) | July 18, 2019 · official record | Yea (for the proposal) | Most support (76.4% support, likely 67.7–85.2%) | With the majority |
| Create a path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants brought here as children (American Dream and Promise Act) | June 4, 2019 · official record | Yea (for the proposal) | Most support (84.4% support, likely 80.4–88.4%) | With the majority |
| Give permanent resident status to immigrants brought to the U.S. as children (American Dream and Promise Act) | June 4, 2019 · official record | Yea (for the proposal) | Most support (80.3% support, likely 73.7–86.9%) | With the majority |
| Give permanent resident status to immigrants brought to the U.S. as children (American Dream and Promise Act) | June 4, 2019 · official record | Yea (for the proposal) | Most support (80.8% support, likely 72.2–89.5%) | With the majority |
| Prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity (Equality Act) | May 17, 2019 · official record | Yea (for the proposal) | Most support (86.6% support, likely 80.9–92.4%) | With the majority |
| Prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity (Equality Act) | May 17, 2019 · official record | Yea (for the proposal) | Most support (79.2% support, likely 70.5–87.8%) | With the majority |
| Cap carbon emissions to combat climate change | May 2, 2019 · official record | Yea (for the proposal) | Most support (86% support, likely 82.1–90%) | Related bill, not counted |
| Allow transgender people to serve in the military | March 28, 2019 · official record | Yea (for the proposal) | Most support (78.7% support, likely 72–85.5%) | Related bill, not counted |
| Require equal pay for women and men doing similar jobs (Paycheck Fairness Act) | March 27, 2019 · official record | Yea (for the proposal) | Most support (92.8% support, likely 88.2–97.5%) | With the majority |
| Require equal pay for women and men doing similar jobs (Paycheck Fairness Act) | March 27, 2019 · official record | Yea (for the proposal) | Most support (87.1% support, likely 78.9–95.2%) | With the majority |
| Require background checks for all gun purchases (Bipartisan Background Checks Act) | February 27, 2019 · official record | Yea (for the proposal) | Most support (93.4% support, likely 90.6–96.1%) | With the majority |
| Build a wall on the southern border | February 26, 2019 · official record | Yea (against the proposal) | Most oppose (27.9% support, likely 23.1–32.6%) | Related bill, not counted |
| Repeal only the Affordable Care Act's requirement that everyone have health insurance | December 20, 2017 · official record | Nay (against the proposal) | Most oppose (29.7% support, likely 21.2–38.3%) | Related bill, not counted |
| The 2017 tax bill (Tax Cuts and Jobs Act) | December 20, 2017 · official record | Nay (against the proposal) | Most oppose (38.7% support, likely 30–47.4%) | With the majority |
| Impose sanctions on countries and firms doing business with North Korea | July 25, 2017 · official record | Yea (for the proposal) | Most support (62.4% support, likely 53.6–71.2%) | Related bill, not counted |
| Require the President to get Congress's approval to ease sanctions on Russia | July 25, 2017 · official record | Yea (for the proposal) | Most support (82.6% support, likely 74.7–90.5%) | With the majority |
| Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (sanctions on Russia, Iran and North Korea) | July 25, 2017 · official record | Yea (for the proposal) | Most support (78.9% support, likely 69.4–88.4%) | With the majority |
| No Sanctuary for Criminals Act (withhold grants from cities that limit cooperation with immigration enforcement) | June 29, 2017 · official record | Nay (against the proposal) | Too close to call (42% support, likely 32.3–51.7%) | Too close to call |
| Kate's Law (longer prison terms for people who re-enter the U.S. illegally after deportation) | June 29, 2017 · official record | Nay (against the proposal) | Most support (81.1% support, likely 72–90.1%) | Against the majority |
| Financial CHOICE Act (roll back the Dodd-Frank financial rules) | June 8, 2017 · official record | Nay (against the proposal) | Most oppose (32.7% support, likely 23–42.3%) | With the majority |
| Partly repeal the Affordable Care Act (American Health Care Act) | May 4, 2017 · official record | Nay (against the proposal) | Most oppose (25.7% support, likely 17.4–33.9%) | With the majority |
| American Health Care Act (partly repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act) | May 4, 2017 · official record | Nay (against the proposal) | Most oppose (34.8% support, likely 25.1–44.5%) | With the majority |
| Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2017 (government funding through September 2017) | May 3, 2017 · official record | Yea (for the proposal) | Most support (75.5% support, likely 66.2–84.9%) | With the majority |
| Repeal the Affordable Care Act | January 6, 2016 · official record | Nay (against the proposal) | Most oppose (36.9% support, likely 28.7–45.1%) | With the majority |
| Highway and transportation funding (FAST Act) | December 3, 2015 · official record | Yea (for the proposal) | Most support (83.8% support, likely 76.4–91.1%) | With the majority |
| Education reform (Every Student Succeeds Act, replacing No Child Left Behind) | December 2, 2015 · official record | Yea (for the proposal) | Most support (78% support, likely 70.2–85.8%) | With the majority |
| Trans-Pacific Partnership trade agreement | June 18, 2015 · official record | Nay (against the proposal) | Most support (62% support, likely 53.7–70.3%) | Related bill, not counted |
| Trans-Pacific Partnership trade agreement | June 18, 2015 · official record | Nay (against the proposal) | Most support (64% support, likely 54.2–73.8%) | Related bill, not counted |
| USA Freedom Act (end bulk collection of phone records) | May 13, 2015 · official record | Nay (against the proposal) | Most support (73.2% support, likely 63.6–82.8%) | Against the majority |
| USA Freedom Act (end bulk collection of phone records) | May 13, 2015 · official record | Nay (against the proposal) | Most support (66.2% support, likely 55.5–76.8%) | Against the majority |
| Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act (change how Medicare pays doctors) | March 26, 2015 · official record | Yea (for the proposal) | Most support (61.7% support, likely 53.2–70.1%) | With the majority |
| Approve the Keystone XL pipeline | February 11, 2015 · official record | Did not vote | Too close to call (43.3% support, likely 33.5–53.1%) | Didn't vote |
| Repeal the Affordable Care Act | February 3, 2015 · official record | Did not vote | Too close to call (46.1% support, likely 36.3–55.8%) | Didn't vote |
| Ryan budget plan (House budget resolution) | April 10, 2014 · official record | Nay (against the proposal) | Most oppose (22.6% support, likely 15.5–29.7%) | Related bill, not counted |
| Raise the debt ceiling | February 11, 2014 · official record | Yea (for the proposal) | Most support (60.3% support, likely 52.6–68%) | With the majority |
| Agriculture bill (farm programs and food stamps, 2014 Farm Bill) | January 29, 2014 · official record | Nay (against the proposal) | Most support (60.5% support, likely 52.7–68.3%) | Against the majority |
| Student Success Act (return control of K-12 school standards to states) | July 19, 2013 · official record | Nay (against the proposal) | Too close to call (42.1% support, likely 32.6–51.6%) | Too close to call |
| Ban abortions after 20 weeks of pregnancy (Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act) | June 18, 2013 · official record | Nay (against the proposal) | Too close to call (48.9% support, likely 39.4–58.4%) | Too close to call |
| Repeal the Affordable Care Act | May 16, 2013 · official record | Nay (against the proposal) | Most oppose (33.9% support, likely 24.5–43.2%) | With the majority |
| Renew the Violence Against Women Act | February 28, 2013 · official record | Yea (for the proposal) | Most support (90.5% support, likely 83.1–98%) | With the majority |
| Renew the Violence Against Women Act | February 28, 2013 · official record | Yea (for the proposal) | Most support (93.3% support, likely 86.1–100%) | With the majority |
| Tax Hike Prevention Act (extend the Bush-era income tax cuts for all incomes) | August 1, 2012 · official record | Nay (against the proposal) | Most oppose (19.8% support, likely 12.5–27.1%) | With the majority |
| Repeal the Affordable Care Act | July 11, 2012 · official record | Nay (against the proposal) | Most oppose (30% support, likely 22.2–37.8%) | With the majority |
| Ryan budget plan (House budget resolution for 2013) | March 29, 2012 · official record | Nay (against the proposal) | Most oppose (19% support, likely 11.5–26.4%) | With the majority |
| Simpson-Bowles budget plan | March 28, 2012 · official record | Nay (against the proposal) | Too close to call (49.9% support, likely 41.7–58.1%) | Too close to call |
| U.S.-Korea Free Trade Agreement | October 12, 2011 · official record | Nay (against the proposal) | Too close to call (51.7% support, likely 43.5–59.9%) | Too close to call |
| End "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" (let gay people serve openly in the military) | December 15, 2010 · official record | Yea (for the proposal) | Most support (76.1% support, likely 67.5–84.7%) | With the majority |
| End "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" (let gay people serve openly in the military) | December 15, 2010 · official record | Yea (for the proposal) | Most support (79.6% support, likely 72.3–86.9%) | With the majority |
| Financial reform (Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act) | June 30, 2010 · official record | Yea (for the proposal) | Most support (78.5% support, likely 71.5–85.5%) | With the majority |
| Repeal "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" (let gay people serve openly in the military) | May 27, 2010 · official record | Yea (for the proposal) | Most support (71.4% support, likely 64–78.9%) | With the majority |
| Health care reform (Affordable Care Act) | March 21, 2010 · official record | Yea (for the proposal) | Most support (69.2% support, likely 60.3–78.2%) | With the majority |
| Affordable Care Act of 2010 | March 21, 2010 · official record | Yea (for the proposal) | Most support (73.6% support, likely 64.7–82.4%) | With the majority |
| Health care reform (Affordable Care Act) | March 21, 2010 · official record | Yea (for the proposal) | Most support (68.2% support, likely 59.4–77%) | With the majority |
| Health care reform (House bill, November 2009) | November 7, 2009 · official record | Yea (for the proposal) | Too close to call (56.3% support, likely 46.1–66.4%) | Too close to call |
| American Clean Energy and Security Act (cap and trade) | June 26, 2009 · official record | Yea (for the proposal) | Most support (61.8% support, likely 51.7–71.8%) | With the majority |
| American Clean Energy and Security Act (cap and trade) | June 26, 2009 · official record | Yea (for the proposal) | Most support (67.2% support, likely 56.4–78.1%) | With the majority |
| American Clean Energy and Security Act (cap and trade) | June 26, 2009 · official record | Yea (for the proposal) | Most support (69.8% support, likely 62.4–77.3%) | With the majority |
| Expand federal hate-crimes law to cover sexual orientation and gender identity | April 29, 2009 · official record | Yea (for the proposal) | Most support (65.6% support, likely 56.7–74.5%) | With the majority |
| American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (the 2009 stimulus) | February 13, 2009 · official record | Yea (for the proposal) | Too close to call (56.9% support, likely 46.2–67.6%) | Too close to call |
| American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (the 2009 stimulus) | February 13, 2009 · official record | Yea (for the proposal) | Most support (70.1% support, likely 61.1–79.1%) | With the majority |
| American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (the 2009 stimulus) | February 13, 2009 · official record | Yea (for the proposal) | Most support (67.5% support, likely 59.2–75.8%) | With the majority |
| Expand the State Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) | February 4, 2009 · official record | Yea (for the proposal) | Most support (71.8% support, likely 62.9–80.7%) | With the majority |
| Expand the State Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) | February 4, 2009 · official record | Yea (for the proposal) | Most support (75.3% support, likely 64.9–85.8%) | With the majority |
| Expand the State Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) | February 4, 2009 · official record | Yea (for the proposal) | Most support (77.8% support, likely 70.7–84.9%) | With the majority |
| Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act (more time to sue over pay discrimination) | January 27, 2009 · official record | Yea (for the proposal) | Most support (66.4% support, likely 57.6–75.3%) | With the majority |
| The 2008 bank bailout (Troubled Asset Relief Program) | October 3, 2008 · official record | Yea (for the proposal) | Most oppose (34.8% support, likely 23.8–45.9%) | Against the majority |
| The 2008 bank bailout (Troubled Asset Relief Program) | October 3, 2008 · official record | Yea (for the proposal) | Most oppose (34.3% support, likely 24–44.6%) | Against the majority |
| The $700 billion bank bailout (Emergency Economic Stabilization Act) | October 3, 2008 · official record | Yea (for the proposal) | Most oppose (34.9% support, likely 26.3–43.5%) | Against the majority |
| Federal help for homeowners facing foreclosure (Housing and Economic Recovery Act) | July 23, 2008 · official record | Yea (for the proposal) | Too close to call (59.9% support, likely 49.9–69.9%) | Too close to call |
| Allow eavesdropping on overseas terrorist suspects without a court order (FISA Amendments Act) | June 20, 2008 · official record | Nay (against the proposal) | Most support (64.3% support, likely 55.2–73.4%) | Against the majority |
| Allow eavesdropping on overseas communications without a court order (FISA Amendments Act) | June 20, 2008 · official record | Nay (against the proposal) | Too close to call (56.8% support, likely 46.9–66.7%) | Too close to call |
| Extend NAFTA-style free trade to Peru (U.S.-Peru Trade Promotion Agreement) | November 8, 2007 · official record | Nay (against the proposal) | Too close to call (54.3% support, likely 45.6–63%) | Related bill, not counted |
| Expand the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) | September 25, 2007 · official record | Yea (for the proposal) | Most support (78.1% support, likely 70.4–85.8%) | With the majority |
| Withdraw U.S. troops from Iraq within 180 days (Responsible Redeployment from Iraq Act) | July 12, 2007 · official record | Yea (for the proposal) | Most support (73% support, likely 63.3–82.6%) | With the majority |
| Fund research using embryonic stem cells (Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act) | June 7, 2007 · official record | Yea (for the proposal) | Most support (77.5% support, likely 68.9–86.2%) | With the majority |
| Fund research using embryonic stem cells (Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act) | June 7, 2007 · official record | Yea (for the proposal) | Most support (75.3% support, likely 68.1–82.5%) | With the majority |
| Fund research using embryonic stem cells (Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act) | June 7, 2007 · official record | Yea (for the proposal) | Most support (76.6% support, likely 68.2–84.9%) | With the majority |
| Raise the federal minimum wage to $7.25 an hour (Fair Minimum Wage Act) | January 10, 2007 · official record | Yea (for the proposal) | Most support (85.3% support, likely 78.2–92.4%) | With the majority |
Attendance
In the 118th Congress, Barbara Lee missed 63 of 1,241 House votes (5.1%). On votes where most of their party voted one way, they voted with their party 95.2% of the time.