Press Releases
Top Democrats: CMS Rule Undermines Home Care Workers, Jeopardizes Quality of Care for Seniors and People with Disabilities
08.13.18 WASHINGTON - Today, Ranking Member Bobby Scott (D-VA), House Committee on Education and the Workforce, and Ranking Member Patty Murray (D-WA), Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions, submitted a public comment to Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Administrator Seema Verma expressing their opposition to a proposed rule that would make it harder for home care workers to direct their own wages to support their union. The rule proposed by CMS would reverse a 201… Continue Reading
Ranking Member Scott: By Eliminating Gainful Employment Rule, Trump Administration Once Again Puts Profits Above Students and Taxpayers
08.10.18 WASHINGTON - Ranking Member Bobby Scott (VA-03) released the following statement in response to the Trump administration's decision to eliminate the Gainful Employment rule, which was established by the Obama administration to set a clear enforcement standard for career programs and for-profit institutions that have a demonstrated history of leaving students with debt they cannot repay. "The Trump administration's decision to eliminate - rather than revise or replace - the Gainful Employment ru… Continue Reading
Ranking Member Scott Statement on July Jobs Report
08.03.18 WASHINGTON - Ranking Member Bobby Scott (VA-03) issued the following statement after the Bureau of Labor Statistics announced that the economy added 157,000 in July, with the unemployment rate at 3.9 percent. "Today's jobs report highlights the failure of the Republican tax bill to improve the lives of hard-working Americans. The report shows that unemployment dropped to 3.9 percent but annual wage growth remained at a paltry 2.7 percent. Instead of benefitting workers or investing in new equ… Continue Reading
47 Democrats Caution DOL About Plans to Weaken Hazardous Work Protections for Young Workers
08.02.18 WASHINGTON - Congressman Bobby Scott (VA-03), ranking member of the Education and the Workforce Committee, Congressman Mark Takano (CA-41), ranking member of the Subcommittee on Workforce Protections, Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (CT-03), ranking member of the Committee on Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human, Services, Education, and Related Agencies, Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard (CA-40), Congressman Keith Ellison (MN-05), along with 42 other House Democrats sent a letter… Continue Reading
Ranking Member Scott: DeVos Regulatory Agenda is an Ominous Sign for Students and Taxpayers
07.30.18 WASHINGTON - Ranking Member Bobby Scott (VA-03) issued the following statement after the Department of Education announced plans to form a negotiated rulemaking committee to rewrite rules regarding accountability in higher education. "The regulatory agenda announced today by Education Secretary Betsy DeVos is an ominous sign for students and taxpayers. The current rules governing oversight and accountability in higher education reflect the responsibility and intent of Congress to create a syste… Continue Reading
Scott, Murray, Butterfield, Casey: To Improve HBCU Campuses Direct Outreach and Loan Modification is Needed
07.26.18 WASHINGTON - Today, Congressman Bobby Scott (VA-03), ranking member of the House Committee on Education and the Workforce, Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), ranking member of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions, Congressman G. K. Butterfield (NC-01), and Senator Bob Casey (D-PA), released a Government Accountability Office (GAO) report, Historically Black Colleges and Universities: Action Needed To Improve Participation in Education's HBCU Capital Financing Program. The mem… Continue Reading
Scott, Foxx Praise Final House Action on Bipartisan CTE Legislation
07.25.18 WASHINGTON - Today, the House of Representatives sent to the President's desk H.R. 2353, the bipartisan Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century Act. Sponsored by Reps. Glenn Thompson (R-PA) and Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL), the legislation will help more Americans get the skills they need to compete for good-paying, in-demand industry jobs. During floor debate, Congressman Bobby Scott (D-VA), ranking member of the Committee on Education and the Workforce, said: "Because … Continue Reading
Scott Statement on Final Proposed Borrowers Defense Rule
07.25.18 WASHINGTON - Ranking Member Bobby Scott (VA-03) released the following statement in response to the Trump administration's release of a final proposed Borrowers Defense rule. "The Trump administration's final proposed Borrowers Defense rule is yet another assault on consumer protections for student borrowers. Rather than supporting students who are cheated out of the education and the future they signed up for, the administration is proposing a new, burdensome process for evaluating claims that… Continue Reading
The Aim Higher Act: What People Are Saying
07.24.18 The Aim Higher Act ensures every student has a path to a debt-free college degree or credential that leads to a rewarding career. The Institute for College Access and Success: "Between investing in Pell Grants to help students afford college, streamlining income-driven repayment plans to help borrowers avoid default, and closing loopholes in critical college accountability measures, the Aim Higher Act includes key steps towards a higher education system that works better for students, families,… Continue Reading
Democrats: GOP Bill Could Cut Workers’ Access to Paid Leave
07.24.18 WASHINGTON - Today, at a legislative hearing of the Subcommittee on Health, Employment, Labor, and Pensions' Democrats criticized a Republican proposal that could ultimately cut workers' access to paid sick leave. The Workflex in the 21st Century Act (H.R. 4219) preempts numerous state laws, including existing laws covering paid sick days, overtime and predictable scheduling if the employer offers a voluntary flexible leave program. "H.R. 4219 does not guarantee workers the ability to earn ti… Continue Reading
Committee Democrats Unveil Vision for Higher Education
07.24.18 WASHINGTON - Today, all 17 Committee on Education and the Workforce Democrats are unveiling the Aim Higher Act - a comprehensive reauthorization of the Higher Education Act that reflects Democrats' vision for an accessible, affordable higher education system. The bill provides every student an opportunity to earn a debt-free degree that leads to a rewarding career. "The Aim Higher Act is a serious and comprehensive proposal to give every student the opportunity to earn a debt-free degree or cre… Continue Reading
Scott, Krishnamoorthi Praise Senate Passage of Workforce Development Bill
07.24.18 WASHINGTON - Ranking Member Bobby Scott (VA-03) and Raja Krishnamoorthi (IL-08) released the following statement after the Senate passed the Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century Act, which will reauthorize the Perkins Career and Technical Education program. "At a time when skilled workers are in such high demand, investments in quality education and training programs will provide more hard-working Americans the opportunity for good-paying jobs and financial security… Continue Reading
Committee Democrats Show Bipartisan Support for Summer Meals Program
07.17.18 WASHINGTON - Today, the Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Elementary, and Secondary Education (ECESE) held a hearing entitled, "Examining the Summer Food Service Program." There is bipartisan agreement that the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) is critical to the health and well-being of millions of children. "Not only do [summer meal] sites distribute nutritious food to low-income children, but they also provide educational, enrichment, or recreational activities that keep children engaged, sa… Continue Reading
House & Senate Democratic Health Leaders Demand Trump Administration Work to Stabilize Insurance Markets
07.16.18 WASHINGTON - Today, five House and Senate Democratic health leaders demanded that the Trump Administration reverse its decision to halt the Affordable Care Act's (ACA's) risk adjustment program, a move that threatens to increase the health care costs of millions of families by sowing further uncertainty into individual and small group health insurance markets. Risk adjustment payments are crucial to maintaining market stability and supporting the ACA's protections for people with pre-existing c… Continue Reading
Ranking Member Scott: Workers, Retirees Must Have Strong Voice in Solving Multiemployer Pension Crisis
07.13.18 WASHINGTON - Education and the Workforce Committee Ranking Member Bobby Scott (VA-03) issued the following statement ahead of the Joint Select Committee on the Solvency of Multiemployer Pension Plans field hearing in Columbus, Ohio at 2 p.m. "Today's hearing is a critical opportunity to hear from workers and retirees who have so much at stake. Through no fault of their own, these hard-working Americans are at risk of losing nearly everything they worked and sacrificed for over their lifetime. W… Continue Reading
Does President Trump’s Next VA Secretary Oppose the House GOP Higher Education Proposal?
07.12.18 WASHINGTON - In response to Questions for the Record submitted by Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Dr. Robert Wilkie, President Trump's nominee to be the next Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), expressed strong support for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program, which encourages talented professionals to enter public service. The program is eliminated in House Republican higher education bill, the PROSPER Act (H.R. 4508). The VA Secretary nominee also recognized that the GI… Continue Reading
Scott, Cummings, Cicilline Issue Statement Condemning Trump Administration Executive Order Politicizing Administrative Law Judges
07.11.18 WASHINGTON - Education and the Workforce Committee Ranking Member Bobby Scott (VA-03), Oversight and Government Reform Committee Ranking Member Elijah E. Cummings (MD-07), and Rep. David Cicilline (RI-01), Co-Chair of the Democratic Policy and Communications Committee, issued the following statement after the Trump Administration issued an executive order that eliminates merit-based standards for administrative law judges. The executive order will allow the Administration to appoint judges based… Continue Reading
Ranking Member Scott’s Statement on Funding Cuts to Health Care Navigators
07.11.18 WASHINGTON - Ranking Member Bobby Scott (VA-03) issued the following statement after the Trump administration slashed funding for the Federally-Facilitated Exchange Navigator Program and will urge facilitators to encourage consumers to enroll in health plans that bypass the Affordable Care Act's consumer protections. "Yesterday's announcement is a continuation of the Trump administration's policy of sabotaging the Affordable Care Act, causing health care costs to skyrocket for millions of Amer… Continue Reading
Scott Statement on June Jobs Report
07.06.18 WASHINGTON - Ranking Member Bobby Scott (VA-03) issued the following statement after the Bureau of Labor Statistics announced that the economy added 213,000 jobs in June, with the unemployment rate at 4 percent. "Today's jobs report once again shows that - despite consistently low unemployment - wages for American workers are still stagnant. In a fair and functioning economy, the tightening job market would trigger an increase in worker pay as employers compete for talented employees. However,… Continue Reading
Ranking Members Scott, Nadler Respond to Trump Administration Rescinding Obama-Era Guidance Promoting Campus Diversity
07.03.18 WASHINGTON - Congressman Bobby Scott (VA-03), ranking member of the House Committee on Education and the Workforce, and Congressman Jerrold Nadler (NY-10), ranking member of the House Committee on the Judiciary, issued the following statement after the Trump administration announced it will rescind Obama-era guidance that provides recommendations to boost diversity on campuses. "The Trump administration's decision to rescind Obama-era guidance promoting campus diversity contradicts the Supreme … Continue Reading