Press Releases
Currently showing results related to Higher Education
Ranking Member Scott Statement on Education Department Ending Funding for Minority Serving Institutions
12.19.25 WASHINGTON - Ranking Member Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03) released the following statement after the Department of Justice’s Office of Legal Counsel’s (OLC) issued an opinion on the constitutionality of the Department of Education’s Minority Serving Institution Program. “A college degree remains the surest path to financial stability. This is particularly true for low-income students and students of color whose educational and workforce opportunities have historically been limited by interge… Continue Reading
Committee Advances Education Bills Intended to Improve Transparency and Access
12.11.25 WASHINGTON - Today, the Committee passed a series of bills that aim improve access and transparency in higher education. “We are all aware of the polls that show that many believe that college is not worth the cost. The solution should not be to ignore that fact. We should make college more affordable rather than have students cut their education short because they cannot afford the cost.” said Ranking Member Scott. “Bills that explain the cost do not reduce the cost, anymore than — as a farmer… Continue Reading
Ranking Member Scott’s Opening Remarks at Markup of Education Bills that Increase Transparency
12.11.25 WASHINGTON - Ranking Member Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03) delivered the following opening statement at today’s full committee markup of H.R. 6392, 6472, 6498, and 6502. “Thank you, Mr. Chairman. “Today, we are here to mark up four education bills intended to increase transparency and access to higher education. “The first bill under consideration is the Home School Graduation Recognition Act, which essentially restates and clarifies the current law allowing home-schooled students to be elig… Continue Reading
Ranking Member Adams Remarks on the Growing Student Debt Crisis
12.03.25 WASHINGTON - Ranking Member Alma S. Adams (NC-12), Higher Education and Workforce Development Subcommittee, delivered the following opening statement at today’s subcommittee hearing entitled, “Public Funds, Private Politics: Examining Bias in the Truman Scholarship Program.” “Thank you, Mr. Chairman, and thank you to our witnesses for being here today. “Let me start with a number that says a lot about the crisis we’re facing: “The cost of attending college today is 40 times higher than it was… Continue Reading
Ranking Member Scott Remarks at Hearing on Innovation in Higher Education Without Accountability
11.18.25 WASHINGTON - Ranking Member Robert C. “Bobby” Scott delivered the following remarks at today’s full committee hearing entitled “The Future of College: Harnessing Innovation to Improve Outcomes and Lower Costs.” “Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Welcome back! It’s been quite a while since we have seen Republicans in town. Democrats came back a few times to see if we could entice you back. “It was good to see you then, and it’s good to be back at work. “Innovation in higher education is crucial if we w… Continue Reading
Education Leaders Sound the Alarm on Trump Administration Lack of Support for HBCUs, TCUs, and MSIs
11.12.25 WASHINGTON — House Education leaders raised concerns with Department of Education (ED) Secretary Linda McMahon about recent Reductions in Force (RIFs) that would leave the Office of Postsecondary Education (OPE) nearly empty. This would leave ED unable to properly support Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUs), and Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs). The letter was sent by Ranking Member Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03), House Committee on… Continue Reading
Ranking Member Scott on Judiciary Committee’s Baseless Allegations Against George Mason University President
11.07.25 WASHINGTON - Ranking Member Robert C. “Bobby” Scott issued the following statement following the release of the Judiciary Committee’s interim staff report entitled, “Illegal Racial Discrimination in Faculty Hiring at George Mason University Under the Direction of President Gregory Washington.” “Under President Gregory Washington’s tenure, George Mason University welcomed the largest and most diverse freshman class in its history and its most academically prepared, with more than 70 percent of f… Continue Reading
Scott Statement on the Trump Administration Politicizing Public Service Loan Forgiveness
10.30.25 WASHINGTON - Ranking Member Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03), House Committee on Education and Workforce, released the following statement after the Department of Education released a final rule restricting access to Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF). “Public service loan forgiveness was created as a bipartisan effort to make higher education more affordable and attract talented individuals to serve our communities, including law enforcement, firefighters, teachers, and nurses. “Now, the T… Continue Reading
In Letter to Education Secretary McMahon, Courtney & Adams Blast Changes to Politicize Eligibility for Public Service Loan Forgiveness
09.17.25 WASHINGTON, D.C. - This week, Congressman Joe Courtney (CT-02), a senior member of the House Education and Workforce Committee, and Congresswoman Alma Adams (NC-12), Ranking Member of the Higher Education and Workforce Development Subcommittee, led a letter with 48 of their colleagues to U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon expressing their strong disapproval to the Department of Education’s proposal to restrict eligibility for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF) beyond what … Continue Reading
Ranking Member Scott Statement on HBCU Funding Announcement
09.16.25 WASHINGTON - Ranking Member Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03), House Committee on Education and Workforce, released the following statement after the Department of Education announced it is cutting millions of dollars intended for minority-serving institutions, teacher preparation, magnet schools and other education programs to pay for a one-time allocation of $495 million to Historically Black Colleges and Universities and Tribal Colleges and Universities. "Historically Black Colleges and Univer… Continue Reading
Ranking Member Adams Opening Remarks at Subcommittee Hearing on College Cost Transparency
09.16.25 WASHINGTON - Ranking Member Alma S. Adams (NC-12), Higher Education and Workforce Development Subcommittee, delivered the following opening statement at today’s subcommittee hearing entitled, “No More Surprises: Reforming College Pricing for Students and Families.” “Thank you, Mr. Chairman, and certainly I want to congratulate the gentleman and thank him for his work as well. Thank you to our witnesses today for being here. “I want to first acknowledge the horrific events that occurred last we… Continue Reading
Ranking Member Scott Statement on Trump Administration Cutting $350 Million in Funding for Minority Serving Institutions
09.10.25 WASHINGTON - Ranking Member Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03) released the following statement after the Department of Education announced it will not disburse any Minority Serving Institution (MSI) Title III or V discretionary funds in FY2025. “A college degree remains the surest path to financial stability. This is particularly true for low-income students and students of color whose educational and workforce opportunities have historically been limited by intergenerational poverty and systemic… Continue Reading
Ranking Member DeSaulnier Opening Remarks at 10th Hearing on Antisemitism
09.09.25 WASHINGTON - Ranking Member Mark DeSaulnier (CA-10) delivered the following opening statement at today’s Health, Employment, Labor, and Pensions Subcommittee hearing entitled, “Unmasking Union Antisemitism.” “Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Welcome back to all the witnesses, thanks for being here. “Let’s start by saying, no one should be threatened, harassed, or attacked because of who they are, who they worship, or what they stand for. I agree we should do more to combat antisemitism in America. I a… Continue Reading
House Democrats Sound the Alarm on the Impact of the ‘Big, Ugly Law’ On Student Borrowers
08.26.25 WASHINGTON - Ranking Member Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03), House Committee on Education and Workforce led 53 of his colleagues in a letter to the Department of Education (ED or the Department) urging the Department to account for the harm Republicans’ ‘Big, Ugly Law’, passed earlier this year will have on students as the Department begins carrying out the law’s changes to the Higher Education Act of 1965. These changes will increase monthly payments and delay forgiveness for Americans struggli… Continue Reading
Congressional Harvard Alumni Caution Oversight Over Any Capitulation to the Trump Administration
08.01.25 WASHINGTON — Today, fourteen members of the House and Senate sent a letter to Harvard President, Dr. Alan M. Garber, cautioning that any settlement made with the Trump administration may warrant rigorous Congressional oversight and inquiry. Last week, Columbia University announced a $221 million settlement agreement with the Trump administration. Recent reports suggest that the parties have negotiated that Harvard make a potential $500 million payoff to resolve allegations against Harvard’s p… Continue Reading
Ranking Member Scott Introduces Bill to Lower Cost of College
08.01.25 WASHINGTON - Today, Education and Workforce Committee Ranking Member Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03) introduced the Lowering Obstacles to Achievement Now (LOAN) Act. The LOAN Act would lower the cost of college for current and future student borrowers and their families. The cost of attending college today is 40 times higher than tuition in 1963. Student loans often follow borrowers long after college and can prevent them from planning for important life events, such as buying a house or start… Continue Reading
Ranking Member Scott Statement on DOJ and ED Investigations into George Mason University
07.22.25 WASHINGTON - Ranking Member Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03), House Committee on Education and Workforce, released the following statement after the Justice Department's Civil Rights Division andEducation Department's Office for Civil Rights opened investigations into George Mason University to determine whether it is engaged in discriminatory employment practices based on race and sex. Additionally, the Justice Department announced an investigation into whether the University has denied equal t… Continue Reading
Ranking Member Scott Statement on SCOTUS Greenlighting the Mass Firing of Education Department Employees
07.15.25 WASHINGTON - Ranking Member Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03), House Committee on Education and Workforce, issued the following statement after the Supreme Court granted the Trump Administration’s request to temporarily pause an order by a federal judge in Massachusetts that would require the Department of Education to reinstate nearly 1,400 employees. “Once again, this Supreme Court has, without explanation, undermined our Constitution and the separation of powers. As Justice Sotomayor rightly … Continue Reading
Ranking Member Scott Opening Statement at Hearing on Antisemitism
07.15.25 WASHINGTON - Ranking Member Robert C. “Bobby” Scott delivered the following remarks at today’s full committee hearing entitled “Antisemitism in Higher Education: Examining the Role of Faculty, Funding, and Ideology.” “Thank you, our witnesses, for being with us today. “Let me begin by acknowledging the seriousness of today’s hearing topic. Combating antisemitism, like all forms of hatred and bigotry, must be a moral and civic priority. But I would be remiss if I did not point out that this … Continue Reading
Scott Votes Against GOP’s Big, Ugly Bill. Again.
07.03.25 WASHINGTON - Ranking Member Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03), House Committee on Education and Workforce, released the following statement after voting against the Republicans’ Big, Ugly Bill. “Once again, Republicans rushed to jam their Big, Ugly Bill through Congress. Their bill will have serious consequences for America’s working families. The Congressional Budget Office predicts that 17 million people will lose their health insurance, including over 322,000 Virginians. It will make colle… Continue Reading