Press Releases
Ranking Member Scott Applauds Biden Administration for Protecting Workers from Extreme Heat
07.02.24 WASHINGTON - Ranking Member Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03) issued the following statement after the Department of Labor (DOL) announced a proposed rule aimed at mitigating health risks associated with heat exposure for America’s workers, both indoors and outdoors. This initiative underscores the Biden Administration's commitment to prioritizing worker protections amidst escalating concerns over rising temperatures across the country, and States’ attempts to eliminate lifesaving protections. “… Continue Reading
ICYMI: On One Year Anniversary of SCOTUS Affirmative Action Decision, Ranking Member Scott Sets the Record Straight
06.28.24 WASHINGTON - Yesterday, Ranking Member Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03) hosted a briefing with Attorney Marc Minor, Vice Chair of Racial & Ethnic Diversity for his firm’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Initiative, to set the record straight on the Supreme Court’s affirmative action ruling in Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard and Students for Fair Admissions v. UNC, and the implications on areas outside of higher education. Watch Ranking Member Scott’s remarks on YouTube. Ran… Continue Reading
Ranking Member Scott on SCOTUS Striking Down Chevron Deference
06.28.24 WASHINGTON - Today, Ranking Member Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03) released the following statement after the Supreme Court ruled in Loper Bright Enterprises v. Raimondo and Relentless, Inc. v. Department of Commerce to strike down the longstanding doctrine of Chevron deference. For the past 40 years, Chevron deference required courts to defer to an agency interpretation of the law if the statute was ambiguous and if the interpretation was reasonable. “Today, the Supreme Court upended 40 years … Continue Reading
What People Are Saying: Pell Grant Preservation and Expansion Act
06.21.24 WASHINGTON - Yesterday, House and Senate education leaders reintroduced the Pell Grant Preservation and Expansion Act of 2024, bicameral legislation that would nearly double the Pell Grant maximum award, index the maximum award for inflation, and make other changes to expand the award for working students and families. The Pell Grant program is the cornerstone of federal financial aid for postsecondary education, serving over 6 million undergraduate students. Here is what advocates and experts … Continue Reading
Scott, Hirono, Murray, Reed, Whitehouse, Pocan Introduce Bill to Double Pell Grant, Make College More Affordable
06.20.24 WASHINGTON - Today, Education and the Workforce Committee Ranking Member Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (D-VA), U.S. Senators Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI), Patty Murray (D-WA), Jack Reed (D-RI), and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) and Representative Mark Pocan (D-WI) introduced the Pell Grant Preservation and Expansion Act of 2024, bicameral legislation that would nearly double the Pell Grant maximum award, index the maximum award for inflation, and make other changes to expand the award for working students and … Continue Reading
Rep. Courtney’s Bipartisan Bill to Improve Health Care Access Advances in the House
06.20.24 NORWICH, CT - In another bipartisan win, the Committee on Education and the Workforce recently advanced (36-0) Rep. Joe Courtney (D-CT) and Rep. Tim Walberg’s (R-MI) legislation to improve health care access for injured federal workers. The Improving Access to Workers’ Compensation for Injured Federal Workers Act (H.R. 618) amends the Federal Employees Compensation Act to ensure injured federal employees, especially those in rural areas can get the appropriate care they need from state-licensed… Continue Reading
New Government Watchdog Report on Sexual Harassment and Violence in College Athletics
06.20.24 WASHINGTON - Today the Government Accountability Office (GAO) released a new reportabout sexual harassment and violence in college athletics. The report found that college athletes face unique barriers to reporting sexual harassment and violence, highlighting the need for increased protection and support for student athletes. House Committee on Education and the Workforce Ranking Member Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03) and the Early Childhood, Elementary, and Secondary Education Subcommittee Ran… Continue Reading
After Alarming Reports of ‘Mass Denials,’ Labor Leaders Urge DOL to Improve Transparency for Consumers
06.18.24 WASHINGTON - Today, Education and the Workforce Committee Ranking Member Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03) and Health, Employment, Labor, and Pensions Subcommittee Ranking Member Mark DeSaulnier (CA-10) urged the Department of Labor to improve transparency for consumers after alarming reports of widespread denials of benefits by employment-based health plans. These plans cover more than 130 million Americans and are subject to important consumer protections under the Employee Retirement Income Se… Continue Reading
Scott, Grijalva, Espaillat, Tout New GAO Report Detailing Support for English learners and the Path Forward
06.17.24 WASHINGTON - Today, House Committee on Education and the Workforce Ranking Member Robert C. "Bobby” Scott (VA-03), and Representatives Raúl M. Grijalva (AZ-07) and Adriano Espaillat (NY-13) issued the following statement in response to the academic achievement report of English learners in the United States, entitled "K-12 Education: How States Identify English Learners, Including Those with Disabilities," conducted by the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO). “The recent GAO report high… Continue Reading
House and Senate Leaders Applaud Bipartisan Bill to Support Missing and Exploited Children Becoming Law
06.17.24 WASHINGTON - Today, Representative Joe Courtney (D-CT-02), House Education and the Workforce Committee Early Childhood, Elementary, and Secondary Education Subcommittee Chairman Aaron Bean (R-FL-04), Ranking Member Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (D-VA-03), Chairwoman Virginia Foxx (R-NC-05), and Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee U.S. Senate Majority Whip, Dick Durbin (D-IL), and Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC) applaud the signing of the Missing… Continue Reading
In Mammoth Markup, Committee Republicans Push Through Partisan Bills to Fuel Culture Wars, Undermine Students Civil Rights and Right to Form Unions
06.13.24 WASHINGTON - Today, during a full Committee markup of nine bills, Committee Democrats opposed a series of partisan Republican bills that would undermine the welfare of students, workers, and educators. “The[s]e partisan bills we will consider only further the Majority’s extreme agenda and inject divisive partisan politics into our children’s classrooms and college campuses,” said Ranking Member Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03). H.J. Res. 165 would repeal the Biden Administration’s final Title … Continue Reading
Ranking Member Scott Opening Statement at Markup of 9 Bills
06.13.24 *Democratic amendments and letters of support and opposition for today’s markup can be found here.* WASHINGTON - Ranking Member Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03) delivered the following opening statement at today’s full committee markup of H.R. 618, H.R. 8606, H.R. 8648, H.J. Res. 165, H.R. 6816, H.R. 5567, H.R. 8649, H.R. 7227, H.R. 8534. “Thank you, Madam Chair, and good morning. “Today, the Committee is considering nine bills. “I am pleased that the Committee has decided to take up several… Continue Reading
Scott, Nadler, Murray Reintroduce Bicameral Bill to End Forced Arbitration in the Workplace, Allow Workers to Band Together to Enforce Their Legal Rights
06.11.24 WASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Representatives Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (D-VA-03), Ranking Member of the House Committee on Education and the Workforce, Jerrold Nadler (D-NY-12), Ranking Member of the House Judiciary Committee, and U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), a senior member and former Chair of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, reintroduced their bicameral Restoring Justice for Workers Act, legislation to end forced arbitration clauses and protect workers’ abilit… Continue Reading
Fighting Summer Hunger Pangs: New Report Highlights Critical Role of Summer Feeding Programs in Combatting Child Hunger
06.11.24 WASHINGTON -Today, Ranking Member Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03) released a new report on summer feeding programs, including the new Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer (S-EBT) Program and its potential to effectively combat child hunger during the summer months, when children are not in school. The report underscores the need to support and expand these types of programs to bridge the gap between school years and prevent food insecurity. “Summer nutrition programs play a crucial role in addr… Continue Reading
Ranking Member Scott Statement on May Jobs Report
06.07.24 WASHINGTON - Ranking Member Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03) released the following statement after the Bureau of Labor Statistics announced that the economy added 272,000 jobs in May, and the unemployment rate ticked up from 3.9 to 4.0 percent. "Four years ago, the world faced an unprecedented global pandemic, which caused the U.S. economy to lose nearly 22 million jobs within just two months. Millions of Americans were struggling to find work, businesses were closing, all of which disproporti… Continue Reading
Casar, Labor Caucus Co-Chairs, Congressional Democrats Urge NLRB to Investigate Allegations that Google & YouTube Music Retaliated Against Unionizing Workers
05.30.24 WASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Representative Greg Casar (TX-35) and Labor Caucus Co-Chairs U.S. Representatives Donald Norcross (NJ-01), Mark Pocan (WI-02), Debbie Dingell (MI-06), and Steven Horsford (NV-04) led 46 House Democrats in urging the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) to swiftly investigate allegations of Google retaliating against unionizing workers. In a letter released today, the Members of Congress emphasized that the NLRB's response to the termination of YouTube Music workers an… Continue Reading
Ranking Member Scott Delivers Opening Statement at Committee Hearing with Northwestern, Rutgers, and UCLA
05.23.24 WASHINGTON -Ranking Member Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03) delivered the following opening statement at today’s House Education and the Workforce Committee hearing with Northwestern, Rutgers, and UCLA. “Thank you, Madam Chair. And thank you to our witnesses for appearing today. “There is no question that we can do more to combat antisemitism - not just on college campuses but everywhere. No one should be threatened, harassed, or attacked because of who they are or who they worship. Moreover, s… Continue Reading
Scott Statement on Partisan Farm Bill Proposal
05.22.24 WASHINGTON - Ranking Member Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03) released the following statement ahead of the Committee on Agriculture’s markup of the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2024 (H.R.8467). “During the school year, the National School Lunch Program ensures that every student who needs a nutritious meal, can receive one. Unfortunately, over the summer—when classes are not in session—many students lose access to a vital source of nutrition. “In December of 2022, Congress enacted, … Continue Reading
Ranking Member Scott Calls Out Florida’s Mismanagement of Taxpayer Dollars
05.21.24 WASHINGTON - Today, Ranking Member Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03) received a new report from the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) revealing how Florida’s mismanagement of federal funds jeopardized the economic security of vulnerable Floridians. The report also details how Florida misspent nearly 700 thousand taxpayer dollars through its mismanagement of federal programs. Federally funded programs such as the Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) and the Low Income Home Energy Assi… Continue Reading
Ranking Member Scott Applauds the Biden Administration’s Proposal to Expand Student Debt Relief for Over 30 Million Americans
05.17.24 WASHINGTON - Today, Ranking Member Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03) applauded the Biden-Harris Administration’s proposed regulations to provide student debt relief for tens of millions of borrowers across the country. The proposal builds on the Administration’s ongoing efforts to provide relief to Americans burdened by student loan debt. If implemented, this rule would provide debt relief for over 30 million Americans when combined with actions the Biden-Harris Administration has already taken to… Continue Reading