Press Releases
Committee Advances Two Key Bipartisan Workforce Development Priorities
12.12.23 WASHINGTON - Today, the Education and the Workforce Committee reported out two bipartisan workforce development bills—the Bipartisan Workforce Pell Act (H.R. 6585) and A Stronger Workforce for America Act (H.R. 6655)—that would help workers, students, and businesses benefit from our nation’s economic growth. The Committee also advanced two partisan bills—H.J. Res. 98 and H.R. 3400—that would undermine workers’ rights. Bipartisan Workforce Pell Act (H.R. 6585) H.R. 6585—led by Ranking Member Sc… Continue Reading
DeLauro, Houlahan, Advocates Hold Press Conference to Mark 10-Year Fight for Paid Family and Medical Leave
12.12.23 WASHINGTON, DC - Today, U.S. Representatives Rosa DeLauro (CT-03) and Chrissy Houlahan (PA-06), along with advocates from Paid Leave for All and the National Partnership for Women and Families, held a press conference marking 10 years of fighting for the FAMILY Act, legislation that would ensure that every worker has access to paid leave for every serious medical event or to care for a loved one, every time it’s needed. A livestream of the event can be viewed here. DeLauro started drafting the … Continue Reading
Ranking Member Scott Praises Bipartisan Workforce Development Bills, Urges Opposition to Partisan Anti-Worker Bills
12.12.23 WASHINGTON - Ranking Member Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03) delivered the following opening statement at today’s full committee markup of H.R. 6585, the Bipartisan Workforce Pell Act, H.R. 6655, A Stronger Workforce for America Act, H.J. Res. 98, Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the National Labor Relations Board relating to “Standard for Determining Joint Employer Status,” and H.R. 3400, the Small Businesses before … Continue Reading
Ranking Member Scott Supports Health Care Transparency Legislation
12.11.23 WASHINGTON - Ranking Member Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03) submitted the following remarks for the record for the Lower Cost, More Transparency Act (H.R. 5378). “M. Speaker, one of the reasons health care costs are so high is that consumers and employers often do not have enough information about what they are paying for. “This makes it hard for patients to find affordable, high-quality health care providers. And it prevents employers from spending workers’ premium dollars carefully. It also… Continue Reading
Ranking Member Scott Statement on November Jobs Report
12.08.23 WASHINGTON - Ranking Member Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03) released the following statement after the Bureau of Labor Statistics announced that the economy added 199,000 jobs in November as the unemployment rate ticked down from 3.9 percent to 3.7 percent. Under President Biden’s leadership, the economy has added 14.1 million jobs. This is more jobs in 34 months than any President has created in an entire 4-year term. “Today’s jobs report further demonstrates that the investments made by Presi… Continue Reading
Committee Leaders Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Strengthen America’s Workforce
12.07.23 WASHINGTON - Today, Education and the Workforce Committee Ranking Member Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (D-VA) and Chairwoman Virginia Foxx (R-NC) introduced A Stronger Workforce for America Act. The bipartisan bill makes critical improvements to the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) that will expand the skills development provided under the law, strengthen the relationship between employers and the workforce system, and put more Americans on the pathway to successful careers. “For far … Continue Reading
Ranking Member Scott Introduces Bill to Crack Down on Labor Rights Violations
12.07.23 WASHINGTON - House Education and the Workforce Committee Ranking Member Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (D-VA-03) introduced the Workers Protecting Our Wage Earners’ Rights Act, or Workers POWER Act, alongside Representative McGarvey (D-KY-03), Congressional Labor Caucus Co-Chair, Representative Donald Norcross (NJ-01), and Representative Greg Casar (D-TX-35). The bill will equip the Department of Labor with the resources needed to tackle federal labor law violations including child labor, wage theft, a… Continue Reading
Ranking Member Scott Votes “NO” on Republicans’ Plan to Raise Student Loan Payments for 5.5 Million Borrowers
12.07.23 WASHINGTON - Today, Ranking Member Robert C. “Bobby Scott” delivered the following floor remarks in opposition to House Republicans’ proposal to repeal the Saving on a Valuable Education student loan repayment plan (H.J.Res. 88). View Ranking Member Scott’s floor remarks on YouTube. “Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to H.J.Res. 88, the Congressional Review Act on the Saving on a Valuable Education (SAVE) Plan. “Last August, the Department of Education launched the SAVE Plan, a new, generou… Continue Reading
Ranking Member Scott Leads Opposition to Extreme GOP Bill that Jeopardizes Global Research Partnerships
12.06.23 WASHINGTON - Today, Ranking Member Robert C. “Bobby Scott” delivered the following remarks during today’s House floor debate on House Republicans’ DETERRENT Act (H.R. 5933). View Ranking Member Scott’s floor remarks on YouTube. “Historically, collaborations with global partners—and careful federal investments in research—have enabled our colleges and universities to make bold, forward-thinking strides in health, science, and technology for people around the world. “Additionally, institution… Continue Reading
SECURE 2.0 Act Technical Corrections Discussion Draft Released
12.06.23 A discussion draft containing technical corrections and other clarifications for the SECURE 2.0 Act of 2022 has been released by House Committee on Education and the Workforce Chairwoman Virginia Foxx (R-NC) and Ranking Member Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (D-VA), along with House Committee on Ways and Means Chair Jason Smith (R-MO) and Ranking Member Richard E. Neal (D-MA). Senate Finance Committee Chair Ron Wyden (D-OR) and Ranking Member Mike Crapo (R-ID), along with Senate Committee on Health, Edu… Continue Reading
Stefanik, Scott, Foxx, DeSaulnier Legislation Tackles Workforce Gaps
12.05.23 WASHINGTON - Today, House Conference Chair Elise Stefanik (R-NY), Education and the Workforce Committee Ranking Member Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (D-VA), Education and the Workforce Committee Chairwoman Virginia Foxx (R-NC), and Health, Employment, Labor, and Pensions Subcommittee Ranking Member Mark DeSaulnier (D-CA) introduced H.R. 6585, the Bipartisan Workforce Pell Act. The legislation provides opportunities for students and workers looking to gain skills in high-demand fields by allowing Pell … Continue Reading
Ranking Member Scott Opening Statement at Committee Hearing on Antisemitism on College Campuses
12.05.23 WASHINGTON - Ranking Member Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03) delivered the following opening statement at today’s House Education and the Workforce Committee hearing on antisemitism on college campuses. Watch Ranking Member Scott’s opening statement here. “Historically, college campuses have been hubs for students and faculty to foster intellectual thought and expression. Regrettably, following Hamas’ October 7th attack on innocent civilians in Israel and the ongoing conflict in Gaza, college … Continue Reading
Bipartisan Group of House Members Introduces Bill to Protect Older Workers from Age Discrimination
12.04.23 WASHINGTON - Today, Education and the Workforce Committee Ranking Member Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03), Representative Glenn Grothman (WI-06), Early Childhood, Elementary, and Secondary Education Subcommittee Ranking Member Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01), Representative Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01), Workforce Protections Subcommittee Ranking Member Alma Adams (NC-12), and Representative Jeff Van Drew (NJ-02) introduced H.R. 6581, the Protecting Older Workers Against Discrimination Act (POWADA), a bipar… Continue Reading
ICYMI: Ranking Member Scott Addresses Funding Disparities at 1890 Land Grant Universities
11.21.23 WASHINGTON - Last week, Ranking Member Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03) hosted a briefing with experts on the state of funding for 1890 land-grant Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), which remains inequitable largely due to state underfunding, and the impact these institutions have on Black students and agriculture advancements. Watch Ranking Member Scott’s remarks on YouTube. Ranking Member Scott delivered the following remarks during the briefing: “The first Morrill Act o… Continue Reading
Labor Leaders Introduce Bill to Help Mine Workers with Black Lung Disease Receive Benefits
11.21.23 WASHINGTON - Today, Rep. Matt Cartwright (PA-08), Education and the Workforce Committee Ranking Member Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03), Workforce Protections Subcommittee Ranking Member Alma Adams (NC-12), and a group of Senate Democrats introduced the Black Lung Benefits Improvement Act of 2023to reform and strengthen the program that provides benefits to coal miners suffering from black lung disease. The legislation is led in the Senate by Senators Bob Casey (D-PA), John Fetterman (D-PA), She… Continue Reading
Government Watchdog Report Finds Employee Benefits Security Administration Grappling with Limited Resources
11.16.23 WASHINGTON - Today, Ranking Member Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03) announced the release of a new report from the Government Accountability Office (GAO), which assessed the management of priorities in the face of years of underfunding that has hindered the Department of Labor (DOL) Employee Benefits Security Administration’s ability to protect the health and retirement benefits of workers and retirees. “Today’s report underscores the consequences of a decade of underfunding that has left the Em… Continue Reading
Ranking Member Scott Introduces Bipartisan Resolution Celebrating National Apprenticeship Week
11.15.23 WASHINGTON - This week, House Committee on Education and the Workforce Ranking Member Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03) introduced a bipartisan resolution supporting the designation of the week of November 13, 2023 as “National Apprenticeship Week.” “Every year, Registered Apprenticeships connect workers across the country with in-demand skills and good-paying jobs and allow employers to tap into a pipeline of talented workers. In short, Registered Apprenticeship programs are critical to strength… Continue Reading
Ranking Member Scott Blasts Extreme MAGA Funding Bill
11.14.23 WASHINGTON - Today, Ranking Member Robert C. “Bobby Scott” delivered the following remarks during today’s House floor debate on House Republicans’ extreme appropriations bill for the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies. View Ranking Member Scott’s floor remarks on YouTube. “I rise in opposition to the amendment and the underlying bill. “The House Republicans’ partisan bill is an attack on students, workers, and families. For 2024, the bill would … Continue Reading
Ranking Member Scott Praises Biden Proposal to Ensure Workers Have a Voice in Workplace Health and Safety
11.14.23 WASHINGTON - Yesterday, Education and the Workforce Committee Ranking Member Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03) sent a letter to the Department of Labor regarding the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) proposed rule to strengthen employees’ voice in ensuring the health and safety of their workplace. The proposal clarifies that workers may authorize a third party, including a union representative, to join an OSHA walkaround health inspection when an inspector deems that they ar… Continue Reading
Ranking Member Scott Opening Statement at Hearing on Antisemitism on College Campuses
11.14.23 WASHINGTON - Ranking Member Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03) delivered the following opening statement at today’s Higher Education and Workforce Development Subcommittee hearing on antisemitism on college campuses. “It has been over a month since Hamas’ terrorist attack on innocent civilians in Israel and the start of a brutal, ongoing war in Gaza. This conflict has directly devastated thousands of people—Israelis and Palestinians alike and countless families and friends across the world and in… Continue Reading