Press Releases
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
ICYMI: Ranking Member Scott Hosts Briefing with Experts on the Importance of Brown v. Board and the Fight for Educational Equity
05.17.24 WASHINGTON - Ranking Member Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03) hosted a briefing with experts on the significance of the Supreme Court’s Brown v. Board of Education and the fight for educational access and opportunity for all. Watch the full briefing on YouTube. Members and staff heard from Kim Atkins Stohr, Boston Globe, Saba Bireda, Brown’s Promise, Janel George, Racial Equity in Education Law & Policy Clinic, Georgetown Law, David Hinojosa, Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law,… Continue Reading
Ranking Member Scott Statement at Hearing with HHS Secretary Becerra
05.15.24 WASHINGTON -Ranking Member Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03) delivered the following opening statement at today’s full committee hearing, “Examining the Policies and Priorities of the Department of Health and Human Services” with Secretary of Health and Human Services Xavier Becerra. “Thank you, Madam Chair. “Secretary Becerra, good morning, and thank you for being with us today. It is always a pleasure to welcome you back to the Committee. “You are familiar with this room, not only from your p… Continue Reading
New Government Watchdog Report: Poor Oversight of Title IX Enforcement Negatively Impacts Female Student Athletes Participation in College Sports
05.09.24 WASHINGTON - Today, Ranking Member Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03), House Committee on Education and the Workforce, and Ranking Member Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01), Subcommittee on Early Childhood and Secondary Education released a new report from the Government Accountability Office (GAO). The report found that inadequate oversight of Title IX negatively impacts women from participating in college athletics. Under Title IX of the Educational Amendments Act of 1972, schools that receive federal fi… Continue Reading
Ranking Member Bonamici Delivers Opening Statement at Subcommittee Hearing Examining Antisemitism in K-12 Schools
05.08.24 WASHINGTON -Ranking Member Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01) delivered the following opening statement at today’s Early Childhood, Elementary, and Secondary Education Subcommittee hearing, entitled, “Confronting Pervasive Antisemitism in K-12 Schools.” “Thank you, Mr. Chairman. “There is no question that we must do more to combat antisemitism - not just in schools but everywhere. We must do more to protect Jewish students and Jewish Americans who are threatened and harassed and attacked because of wh… Continue Reading
Bonamici, Scott, Markey Introduce Legislation to Fully Compensate Workers for Discrimination, Hold Employers Accountable
05.08.24 WASHINGTON - Today Representative Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR), House Education and Workforce Committee Ranking Member Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (D-VA), and Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) introduced legislation to allow workers to receive full compensation when their employers are found liable for employment discrimination. The Equal Act corrects an outdated 1991 law that caps awards in cases of employment discrimination, which prevents workers from receiving the full amount awarded by a jury. The… Continue Reading
Ranking Member Scott Statement at Hearing with ED Secretary Cardona
05.07.24 WASHINGTON -Ranking Member Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03) delivered the following opening statement at today’s full committee hearing, “Examining the Education Department's Policies, Priorities, and FY 2023 Financial Audit Failure” with U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona. “Thank you, Dr. Foxx. “And good morning, Mr. Secretary, and thank you for being with us today. “Seventy years ago, this month, Chief Justice Earl Warren wrote?in the majority opinion, the unanimous opinion, of Br… Continue Reading
Scott Joins Bipartisan Committee Leaders in House and Senate in Raising Concerns Over Rollout of Next Year’s FAFSA
05.07.24 WASHINGTON - Education and the Workforce Committee Ranking Member Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03) joined bipartisan, bicameral committee leaders in the House of Representatives and the Senate urging the Department of Education (DeptEd) to make the timely roll out of the 2025-2026 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form a priority. FAFSA provides schools with the information they need to produce financial aid offers so students can determine if and how they can afford college. Th… Continue Reading
Scott Statement on April Jobs Report
05.03.24 WASHINGTON - Ranking Member Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03) released the following statement after the Bureau of Labor Statistics announced that the economy added 175,000 jobs in April, and the unemployment rate ticked up from 3.8 to 3.9 percent. “Four years ago, the economy lost 20.5 million jobs, the unemployment rate shot up to 14.7 percent, and the initial unemployment claims sky-rocketed to more than 6.1 million. “Four years later, because of the investments made by Congressional Democr… Continue Reading
Scott Statement on HHS Final Rule to Prevent Disability Discrimination in Health Care Services
05.01.24 WASHINGTON - Ranking Member Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03) released the following statement after the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through its Office for Civil Rights (OCR), finalized a rule that prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability. “People with disabilities have the right to participate fully in their community. Today, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) clarified and strengthened application of civil rights law to ensure that programs and… Continue Reading
Ranking Member Scott Statement at Hearing with DOL Acting Secretary Su
05.01.24 WASHINGTON -Ranking Member Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03) delivered the following opening statement at today’s full committee hearing, “Examining the Policies and Priorities of the Department of Labor” with Acting Secretary of Labor Julie Su. “Acting Secretary Su, good morning. “I think it is important to note that your service as acting Secretary has been verified as constitutionally proper by the Government Accountability Office. So, there is no question as to whether or not you are serv… Continue Reading
Ranking Member Scott Releases New Report on the Ineffectiveness of Current Labor Penalties
04.30.24 WASHINGTON - Today, Ranking Member Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03) released a new report—"A Slap on the Wrist: How It Pays for Unscrupulous Employers to Take Advantage of Workers.” The report outlines how children, workers, and families suffer when civil monetary penalties for labor and employment violations are too weak or nonexistent to prevent dishonest employers from violating the rights and protections guaranteed to America's workers. Penalties for killing a worker, illegally employin… Continue Reading