Press Releases
Committee Leaders Praise Biden Push to Improve Access to Reproductive Health Care
04.04.23 WASHINGTON - Yesterday, Education and the Workforce Committee Ranking Member Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03), Energy and Commerce Committee Ranking Member Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06), and Ways and Means Committee Ranking Member Richard E. Neal (MA-01) submitted comments to the Departments of Health and Human Services (HHS), Labor (DOL), and the Treasury in support of the proposed rules to ensure access to no-cost coverage for contraceptive services under the Affordable Care Act (ACA). “With acce… Continue Reading
Ranking Member Scott Condemns Right-Wing Judge’s Ruling to Restrict Access to Preventive Health Care
03.30.23 WASHINGTON - Ranking Member Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03) released the following statement after a District Court judge ruled to weaken a provision in the Affordable Care Act (ACA) that requires private health insurance plans to cover preventive care services, including cancer screenings, PrEP for HIV prevention, and behavioral health screenings, at no cost. “Access to preventive care saves lives. By detecting health problems early on, preventive care helps us address serious diseases—such as… Continue Reading
NLRB OIG Opens Investigation into Republican Subpoena Following Concerns Raised from Ranking Member Scott
03.29.23 WASHINGTON - Today, the Office of the Inspector General (OIG) for the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) confirmed it has opened an investigation into whether the Education and the Workforce Committee Chairwoman Foxx’s (NC-05) subpoena to the NLRB violated the Anti-Deficiency Act or Section 4(a) of the National Labor Relations Act. The investigation follows a letter from Ranking Member Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03) to Chairwoman Foxx that raised questions about the subpoena’s legitimacy. “… Continue Reading
Ranking Member Opening Statement at Campus Free Speech Hearing
03.29.23 WASHINGTON - Ranking Member Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03) delivered the following opening statement at today’s Higher Education and Workforce Development Subcommittee hearing. “Thank you, Chairman Owens, and good morning. “We can all agree that free speech is a constitutional right and bedrock of our democracy. And, for decades, colleges and universities have been on the front lines of protecting and advancing that right. “But the Majority is not interested in protecting all speech. Inste… Continue Reading
Reps. Chu, Scott Re-Introduce POWER Act to Create Safe, Just Workplaces for Every Worker in America
03.28.23 WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, Reps. Judy Chu (CA-28) and Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03), Ranking Member of the House Committee on Education and the Workforce, re-introduced the Protecting Our Workers from Exploitation and Retaliation (POWER) Act. This updated bill is a vital step towards creating safe and just workplaces for all American workers by providing temporary protection from deportation for immigrant workers who experience retaliation for exercising their rights under existing labor and em… Continue Reading
Ranking Member Opening Statement at Job Market Hearing
03.28.23 WASHINGTON - Ranking Member Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03) delivered the following opening statement at today’s full committee hearing on the state of the workforce. “Thank you, Dr. Foxx and good morning. “I thought it would be helpful to show a chart of the economy that was just described as disparaged. This chart behind me shows the average number of jobs per month in the last five Presidential administrations. And we can see the Biden administration; 495,000 jobs, which is significantl… Continue Reading
Despite Internal Opposition, Republicans Force Through Anti-Student, Parent, and Educator Legislation
03.24.23 WASHINGTON - Today, House Republicans advanced the Politics Over Parents Act (H.R. 5) despite opposition from parents, students, educators, and members of their own party. Moreover, Republicans unilaterally rejected the Democratic alternative offered by ECESE Subcommittee Ranking Member Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01). The Democrats’ alternative would have: Prevented schools from banning books; Created a designated parent coordinator at every public school; Increased funding for statewide family… Continue Reading
WATCH: Ranking Member Scott Leads Fight Against Anti-Student, Parent, Educator Legislation
03.23.23 WASHINGTON - Education and the Workforce Committee Ranking Member Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03) delivered the following remarks during today’s floor debate on H.R. 5, the Politics Over Parents Act. View Ranking Member Scott’s floor remarks on YouTube. "First, let me be clear: House Democrats believe parental engagement is central to student success. Parental engagement in schools is closely linked to better student behavior, higher academic achievement, and enhanced social skills. "Unfor… Continue Reading
What People Are *Actually* Saying About Extreme MAGA Republicans’ “Politics over Parents” Bill (H.R. 5)
03.22.23 WASHINGTON - Today, the House of Representatives will consider Republican legislation that would undermine public education under the guise of 'parental rights.' Experts and advocates for students, parents, and teachers agree that this proposal would only further politicize classrooms and jeapordize support for public education while doing nothing to increase real parental partnership with schools. Here’s what they are saying about Republicans’ so-called Parents Bill of Rights Act: Secretary of… Continue Reading
Committee Leaders Applaud Biden for Combatting Taxpayer-Funded Religious Discrimination
03.15.23 WASHINGTON - Yesterday, Education and the Workforce Committee Ranking Member Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03), Veterans Affairs Committee Ranking Member Mark Takano (CA-39), Oversight and Accountability Committee Ranking Member Jamie Raskin (MD-08), and Judiciary Committee Ranking Member Jerry Nadler (NY-12) applauded the Biden-Harris administration’s proposed rules for nine federal agencies—including the Departments of Education (ED), Agriculture (USDA), Justice (DOJ), Labor (DOL), Veterans Affa… Continue Reading
ICYMI: Rep. Bobby Scott pushes bill that would include workforce training in federal education grants
03.10.23 U.S. Rep. Bobby Scott said he has high hopes a bill that could expand the Pell Grant to cover short-term workforce training programs will receive bipartisan support and become a reality. Scott unveiled The Job to Compete Act on Friday, which aims to make it easier to access post-secondary programs that don’t lead to a college degree. “If all it leads to is a good job, you can’t use the Pell Grant,” said Scott, the ranking Democratic member of the Committee on Education and the Workforce. “I th… Continue Reading
Ranking Member Scott Unveils Bill to Make Training Programs More Affordable
03.10.23 WASHINGTON - Today, Ranking Member Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03) unveiled legislation to make short-term training programs more affordable for adult learners and help businesses recruit highly-qualified candidates. The Jobs to Compete Act expands Pell Grant eligibility to adults in high-quality, short-term training programs. This expansion is particularly important as demand for short-term training courses has increased among adult learners and employers, and federal investment in workforce … Continue Reading
Scott Statement on February Jobs Report
03.10.23 WASHINGTON - Ranking Member Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03) released the following statement after the Bureau of Labor Statistics announced that the economy added 311,000 jobs in February as the unemployment rate edged up by .2 percent to 3.6 percent. “Under the leadership of the Biden-Harris Administration, the unemployment rate is near record lows, job growth continues to reach all-time highs, and workers’ wages are rising. This is no accident. It is a direct result of the investments Congre… Continue Reading
Ranking Member Scott: Biden Budget is a Roadmap to a Stronger America
03.10.23 WASHINGTON - Ranking Member Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03) released the following statement after President Biden released his proposed budget for Fiscal Year 2024. “The Biden-Harris Fiscal Year 2024 budget proposal is a clear roadmap to a stronger America. It calls for transformational investments that would grow our economy and improve the lives of students, workers, and families across the country. “The proposed budget would take significant steps to ensure every student has access to hig… Continue Reading
DeLauro, Murray Introduce the Paycheck Fairness Act
03.09.23 WASHINGTON, DC - Today, U.S. Representative Rosa DeLauro (D-CT-03) and Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), reintroduced the Paycheck Fairness Act, legislation that would combat wage discrimination and help close the wage gap by strengthening the Equal Pay Act of 1963 and ensuring women can challenge pay discriminations and hold employers accountable. Ahead of Equal Pay Day on March 14, Representative DeLauro and Senator Murray joined advocates in underscoring the need to pass their Paycheck Fairne… Continue Reading
Higher Ed Leaders Reintroduce LOAN Act to Lower Cost of College
03.09.23 WASHINGTON - Today, Education and the Workforce Committee Ranking Member Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03), Higher Education and Workforce Development (HEWD) Subcommittee Ranking Member Frederica Wilson (FL-24), and the other Democratic Members of the HEWD Subcommittee unveiled plans to reintroduce 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 LOAN Act would build on President Bid… Continue Reading
Under the Cloak of Darkness, Republicans Force Through Anti-Student, Parent, and Educator Legislation
03.09.23 WASHINGTON - Democrats showed up for work today and introduced legislation to meet the real challenges facing students, parents, and educators. Committee Republicans played political games and voted against 25+ good-faith efforts to help students succeed. “We all agree that parental engagement is essential for student success, and that Congress has a role in promoting students’ participation in sports. Unfortunately, neither of the bills before us today addresses the real challenges facing… Continue Reading
What People Are *Actually* Saying About Transgender Athletes’ Right To Participate In Sports
03.08.23 WASHINGTON - Last month, House Republican lawmakers introduced legislation that needlessly scapegoats some of our most vulnerable students as the cause of inequity in athletics. Athletes, advocates, and experts agree that the inclusion of transgender athletes in women’s sports is not a threat to survivial or success of women’s sports. Here is what they say about including transgender youth in women’s sports: Billie Jean King (Tennis champion, Womens Sports Foundation Founder): “There is no plac… Continue Reading
Ranking Member Opening Statement at Markup of Legislation to Politicize Schools, Discriminate Against Trans Athletes
03.08.23 WASHINGTON - Ranking Member Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03) delivered the following opening statement at today’s full committee markup of H.R. 5, the Parents Bill of Rights Act, and H.R. 734, the Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act of 2023. “Thank you, Dr. Foxx, and good morning. “Madam Chair, we all agree that parental engagement is essential for student success, and that Congress has a role in promoting students’ participation in sports. Unfortunately, neither of the bills before us … Continue Reading
House Health Leaders Praise Rollback of Trump Rule that Supported Taxpayer-Funded Discrimination Against Patients
03.08.23 WASHINGTON - Yesterday, Education and the Workforce Committee Ranking Member Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03), Energy and Commerce Committee Ranking Member Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06), and Ways and Means Committee Ranking Member Richard E. Neal (MA-01) wrote to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) in support of its proposal to rescind detrimental provisions from the 2019 Trump-era rule that would have allowed discrimination against health care patients, including those seeking abortio… Continue Reading