Press Releases
Scott Statement After Elected by Colleagues to Serve as Ranking Member of Education and Labor Committee in the 118th Congress
12.22.22 WASHINGTON - Chairman Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03) released the following statement after he was elected by the House Democratic Caucus to serve as the next Ranking Member of the Committee on Education and Labor. “Governing should be guided by the values and aspirations we share - improving the lives of people from all walks of life. Regardless of the political challenges that lay ahead in the 118th Congress, the American people are still counting on us to find common ground, when possible; … Continue Reading
In the 117th Congress, Committee Democrats Conducted Robust Oversight on Behalf of Students, Workers, Families
12.21.22 WASHINGTON - Today, the House Committee on Education and Labor released a report highlighting the Committee’s oversight work to ensure that the federal government properly implements laws and delivers for the nation’s students, workers, and families. Under the leadership of Chairman Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03), the Committee conducted rigorous oversight in the 117th Congress through dozens of letters, meetings, and public hearings. ###… Continue Reading
Scott Statement on Child Nutrition Provisions in the Omnibus Government Funding Legislation
12.20.22 WASHINGTON - Chairman Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03) released the following statement after the release of omnibus government funding legislation for Fiscal Year 2023. “Over the last two years, we had a real opportunity to help improve the lives of children and families by passing a comprehensive child nutrition reauthorization. My committee took this opportunity seriously, and advanced the Healthy Meals, Healthy Kids Act, a comprehensive, science-driven reauthorization of federal child nutrit… Continue Reading
Scott Celebrates Passage of Key Priorities in Defense Bill
12.08.22 WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congressman Bobby Scott (VA-03) celebrated the U.S. House of Representatives passing the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2023, which included key initiatives spearheaded by Congressman Scott. “As the representative from Virginia’s Third Congressional District, I was pleased to support this year’s NDAA which will protect our national security and include a well-earned pay raise for servicemembers and civilians serving our military,” said Congressman … Continue Reading
Chairman Scott Leads Members in Support of Proposed Rule to Protect Workers’ Rights
12.08.22 WASHINGTON - Today, House Education and Labor Committee Chairman Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03) led a letter with 52 House Democrats to the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) in support of its proposed joint employer rule. The proposed rule would help ensure that workers—who are hired through subcontractors, temporary staffing agencies, and other intermediaries—can hold all the entities that control their working conditions accountable for their right to bargain collectively for higher pay, … Continue Reading
Retirement Benefits of More Than 350,000 Central States Workers and Retirees Saved by the American Rescue Plan Pension Relief
12.08.22 WASHINGTON - Today, the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC) announced that 357,056 participants of the Central States Pension Fund will have their retirement benefits saved and 1,005 businesses contributing to the plan will be protected. The pension relief was made possible through the American Rescue Plan, which included a solution to the multiemployer pension crisis. To watch the video, click here.Special Thanks: Ken Stribling, Davey Grubbs, Bernie Anderson, Dana Vargo, Don Vargo, F… Continue Reading
Education Leaders Urge Education Department to Better Protect Students Against Abusive College Recruiting Practices
12.05.22 WASHINGTON - On Friday, House and Senate education leaders wrote a letter urging the Department of Education to increase its oversight of online program managers (OPMs)—third-party companies that help colleges run and recruit students for online academic programs—to ensure they are not engaging in abusive recruiting practices. In May 2022, the nonpartisan Government Accountability Office released a report that found the Department of Education does not have the information it needs about colleg… Continue Reading
Scott Statement on November Jobs Report
12.02.22 WASHINGTON - Chairman Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03) released the following statement after the Bureau of Labor Statistics announced that the economy added 263,000 jobs in November and the unemployment rate remained unchanged at 3.7 percent. Under the previous administration, the pre-pandemic average (seasonally adjusted) number of jobs added was 186,000. Under President Biden, the average (seasonally adjusted) number of jobs added is 479,000 - over 2.5 times the previous Administration’s pre-p… Continue Reading
Chairman Scott Statement on Extension of Student Loan Pause
11.22.22 WASHINGTON - Chairman Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03) released the following statement after the Biden-Harris administration announced that it will extend the pause on student loan repayment, collections, and interest accrual. “Extending the pause on student loan repayments will give borrowers some stability while President Biden’s student loan relief program remains blocked due to lawsuits from Republican Attorneys General. This extension will prevent borrowers from making payments on a loan t… Continue Reading
Scott Statement on Proposed Improvements to WIC Food Packages
11.17.22 WASHINGTON - Chairman Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03) released the following statement after the Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Service announced proposed updates to strengthen food assistance for participants in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children. “The Food and Nutrition Service’s (FNS) proposed rule makes critical improvements to the Special Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC). By advancing a science-based review of… Continue Reading
NEW: Pension Recipient Shares Impact of Relief Secured in American Rescue Plan
11.07.22 WASHINGTON - Today, the Education and Labor Committee released a new video of Dana Vargo, the spouse of a retired Teamster and a leading advocate in the fight to protect pension plans. In the video, Vargo discusses how the relief that Congressional Democrats and the Biden-Harris administration secured in the American Rescue Plan has allowed her and her husband to spend more time with their grandchildren. To date, the American Rescue Plan has saved the pensions of 156,759 Americans and protected … Continue Reading
Scott Statement on October Jobs Report
11.04.22 WASHINGTON - Chairman Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03) released the following statement after the Bureau of Labor Statistics announced that the economy added 261,000 jobs in October and the unemployment rate rose to 3.7 percent. “Today’s jobs report demonstrates that the Biden-Harris Administration’s economic agenda is producing a record number of jobs. President Biden has added more jobs in his first 22 months in office than any previous Administration in the same amount of time and, important… Continue Reading
Retired Truck Driver Celebrates Relief Secured in American Rescue Plan
11.02.22 WASHINGTON - Today, the Education and Labor Committee released a new video of retired truck driver Jack Palush discussing the impact of the relief that Congressional Democrats and the Biden-Harris administration secured in the American Rescue Plan. To date, the American Rescue Plan has saved the pensions of 156,759 Americans and protected 785 businesses from being at-risk of closing their doors. To view the video, click here. The multiemployer pension crisis threatened to strip more than a … Continue Reading
ICYMI: To Date, Congressional Democrats Saved Pensions of More Than 156,000 Americans, Protected Nearly 800 Businesses
10.26.22 WASHINGTON - To date, the American Rescue Plan has saved the pensions of 156,759 Americans and protected 785 businesses from being at-risk of closing their doors. To view the Committee’s pension tracker, click here. The multiemployer pension crisis threatened to strip more than a million retirees of the pensions they earned over a lifetime of work, jeopardized tens of thousands of businesses and endangered tens of thousands of jobs. In response, the American Rescue Plan Act created a Special… Continue Reading
NEW: Government Watchdog Report Finds Unequal Enforcement of Dress Codes May Make Schools Less Safe for Students
10.25.22 WASHINGTON - A new report released by the Government Accountability Office (GAO) revealedthat discriminatory enforcement of school dress codes may make school environments less equitable and safe for students and lead to harmful discipline practices. Specifically, the GAO report found that dress codes typically restrict items most frequently worn by girls, students of color, and LGBTQI+ students. As a result, schools remove these students from the classroom at significantly higher rates compa… Continue Reading
Chairman Scott Reacts to 2022 National “Report Card”
10.24.22 WASHINGTON - House Education and Labor Committee Chair Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (D-VA) issued the following statement after the National Center for Education Statistics released the results of the 2022 National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) Mathematics and Reading Assessments. The 2022 NAEP found significant declines in math and reading scores for grades 4 and 8 compared to 2019. In math, average score declines were historic, and achievement gaps widened for our most vulnerable studen… Continue Reading
Chairman Scott Statement on September Jobs Report
10.07.22 WASHINGTON - Chairman Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03) released the following statement after theBureau of Labor Statistics announced that the economy added 263,000 jobs in September and the unemployment rate edged down to 3.5 percent. “Today’s jobs report shows that Democrats’ economic agenda is meeting the needs of students, workers, and families. Since President Biden took office, the economy has added, on average, 500,000 jobs each month. Let’s contrast this to the Trump Administration. Thr… Continue Reading
House Chairs Write in Strong Support of the Biden Administration’s Health Nondiscrimination Rule
10.03.22 WASHINGTON - Today, Education and Labor Committee Chairman Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (D-VA), Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ), and Ways and Means Committee Chairman Richard E. Neal (D-MA) wrote to Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Xavier Becerra in support of the Biden Administration’s proposed health care nondiscrimination rule. “The proposed rule reflects evolving judicial precedent, technological developments affecting patient access to care, and is part… Continue Reading
Chair DeSaulnier Leads Bipartisan Bill to Help People with Disabilities Access Assistive Technology
09.30.22 WASHINGTON - Today, Health, Employment, Labor, and Pensions Subcommittee Chair Mark DeSaulnier (CA-11) and Congressman Joe Sempolinski (NY-23) announced introduction of the 21st Century Assistive Technology Act (H.R. 9028), bipartisan legislation to help people with disabilities live independently by expanding access to assistive technology. Assistive technologies—from smart home systems to magnifying glasses—are critical to ensuring that people with disabilities can live, work, and participate… Continue Reading
Chairman Scott Urges Passage of Mental Health Matters Act
09.29.22 WASHINGTON - Today, House Education and Labor Committee Chairman Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03) submitted the following remarks in support of H.R. 7780, the Mental Health Matters Act, into the Congressional Record. “I rise today in strong support of the Mental Health Matters Act, led by the gentleman from California, Mr. DeSaulnier. “The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated the mental health crisis among students, workers, and families. “In 2021, over 44 percent of students experienced persis… Continue Reading