01.20.15

Scott Statement on the President’s State of the Union Address

WASHINGTON—Rep. Robert C. "Bobby" Scott, ranking member on the House Education and the Workforce Committee, released the following statement today in response to President Obama's 2015 State of the Union address:

“In tonight's State of the Union, President Obama put forward concrete steps we must take to strengthen our economy and rebuild the middle class. Too many hard-working Americans are struggling to find success in this new economy and struggling to get their fair shot. The president's common-sense proposals—many of which have bipartisan support—will help give people the opportunity they lack and help the economy grow from the middle out.

“The proposals address the need for more high-paying jobs and stronger wages. The president recognized that to make the middle class robust, we must work on increasing access to high-quality child care, affordable health care, and higher education. We must offer paid sick leave and fair overtime pay, increase the minimum wage, and ensure equal pay for women. We must direct our efforts toward the middle class, and that will make our economy even stronger.  

“I thank the president for his leadership and I look forward to working with my colleagues in Congress on the proposals laid out tonight. Together, we can make sure that our progress extends to everyone across the country, to students, workers and families everywhere."