Press Releases
Currently showing results related to K-12 Education
Chairman Scott Praises Executive Order to Protect LGBTQI+ Americans
06.15.22 WASHINGTON - Chairman Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03) released the following statement after the Biden-Harris Administration announced a series of executive actions to promote equality for LGBTQI+ Americans. “I applaud the Biden-Harris Administration for its continued commitment to protecting LGBTQI+ individuals against discrimination. Specifically, today’s executive order marks a critical step toward providing LGBTQI+ students with safe and supportive classrooms, safeguarding LGBTQI+ children … Continue Reading
Chairman Scott Celebrates House Passage of Historic Government Funding Bill
03.09.22 WASHINGTON – Chairman Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03) released the following statement after the House passed the Fiscal Year 2022 (FY22) omnibus spending package. “Today, the House passed a government funding package that makes historic investments in students, workers, and families. “I am particularly pleased that the omnibus takes key steps to address long-standing inequities in education. The package includes a $1 billion increase in fundin… Continue Reading
New GAO Report: Chronic Underinvestment in School Facilities Leaves Low-Income School Districts Unprepared for the Next Disaster
01.18.22 WASHINGTON - A new report released today by the Government Accountability Office (GAO) found that chronic underinvestment in school facilities has left schools vulnerable to natural disasters that could cause prolonged closures and put states on the hook for billions of dollars. According to the report, school districts serving high proportions of children and families who are low income, people of color, English learners, or living with disabilities are the most impacted by natural disasters … Continue Reading
Chairman Scott Applauds Biden Administration for Increasing Support for School Meal Programs
01.07.22 WASHINGTON - Chairman Robert C. "Bobby" Scott (VA-03) released the following statement after the Biden Administration announced an increase in the amount of money the federal government will reimburse states for school meal programs. "I applaud the Biden Administration for taking an important step to help preserve school meal programs for children and families. The COVID-19 pandemic has created unprecedented challenges for school meal programs at a time when more families than ever are relyin… Continue Reading
Chairman Scott Applauds Biden Administration Effort to Help School Meal Programs Address Supply Chain Challenges
12.17.21 WASHINGTON - Chairman Robert C. "Bobby" Scott (VA-03) released the following statement in response to the Biden Administration's action to help school meal programs respond to supply chain disruptions. "I applaud the Biden Administration for taking action to ensure school meal programs can continue to provide children the healthy nutrition they need to learn and grow. The COVID-19 pandemic has created unprecedented challenges for school meal programs at a time when more families than ever are… Continue Reading
Chairman Scott Remarks at Rules Committee Meeting on Build Back Better Act
10.28.21 WASHINGTON – Education and Labor Committee Chairman Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03) delivered the following remarks at today’s Rules Committee meeting on the Build Back Better Act. “Thank you, Chairman McGovern and Ranking Member Cole. I’m pleased to speak in support of the Education and Labor Committee’s section of the Build Back Better Act. “Over the past few months, Congressional Democrats and the White House have held a … Continue Reading
U.S. Department of Education Approves Virginia’s Plan for Use of American Rescue Plan Funds to Support K-12 Schools and Students, Distributes Remaining More Than $704 Million to State
10.15.21 WASHINGTON - The U.S. Department of Education (Department) announced the approval of Virginia's American Rescue Plan Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ARP ESSER) plan and distributed remaining ARP ESSER funds to them. Virginia's plan details how the state is using and plans to use ARP ESSER funds to safely reopen and sustain the safe operation of schools and equitably expand opportunity for students who need it most, particularly those most impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. As… Continue Reading
Chairman Scott Calls on States to Stop Sabotaging Safe School Reopening Efforts
08.19.21 WASHINGTON - Today, House Education and Labor Committee Chairman Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03) issued the following statement in response to eight states banning schools from implementing mandatory mask policies to protect students, educators, and families from COVID-19. “As we begin another school year under the cloud of a pandemic, policymakers must be laser-focused on helping school districts reopen safely and stay open safely. Through the American Rescue … Continue Reading
Chairman Scott Praises Biden Administration’s School Reopening Roadmap
08.02.21 WASHINGTON - Today, House Education and Labor Committee Chairman Robert C. "Bobby" Scott (VA-03) issued the following statement after the Biden-Harris Administration released a School Reopening Roadmap to help schools reopen safely for in-person instruction. "Getting students back into the classroom safely is one of the most important things we can do for children and families across the country. I applaud the Biden Administration for issuing clear and comprehensive guidance to help schools re… Continue Reading
Chairman Scott Applauds Gov. Northam Proposal to Increase Funding for Safe School Reopenings
07.28.21 WASHINGTON - Chairman Bobby Scott released the following statement in response to Governor Ralph Northam's proposal to dedicate $500 million in American Rescue Plan funding to help schools repair and upgrade ventilation systems, or complete other air quality projects. "I applaud Governor Northam's proposal to dedicate additional American Rescue Plan funding to helping schools reopen safely and stay open safely. There is overwhelming scientific evidence that proper ventilation is essential to r… Continue Reading
Committee Advances Four Bills to Support Survivors of Domestic Violence, Older Americans, Students of Color
07.15.21 WASHINGTON - Today, the Committee on Education and Labor advanced four bills to support survivors of domestic violence, protect older job applicants from age discrimination, help communities desegregate their schools, and strengthen efforts to fight discrimination in education. The Family Violence and Prevention Services Improvement Act (FVPSA) of 2021 modernizes and adequately funds FVPSA to support survivors of domestic violence and increases prevention efforts to ensure no American experien… Continue Reading
Chairman Scott Opening Statement at Markup of Bills to Address Intimate Partner Violence, Protect Older Workers, and Promote Equity in Education
07.15.21 WASHINGTON – Education and Labor Committee Chairman Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03) delivered the following opening statement at today’s markup of H.R. 2119, the Family Violence Prevention and Services Improvement Act of 2021, H.R. 3992, the Protect Older Job Applicants Act, H.R. 729, the Strength in Diversity Act of 2021, and H.R. 730, the Equity and Inclusion Enforcement Act of 2021. “Today, the Committee is marking up four bill… Continue Reading
Chairman Scott Opening Statement at Hearing with Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona
06.24.21 WASHINGTON – Education and Labor Committee Chairman Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03) delivered the following opening statement at today’s hearing, entitled “Examining the Policies and Priorities of the U.S. Department of Education,” to discuss the Department of Education’s budget request for Fiscal Year 2022. “Today, we are meeting to discuss the Department of Education’s budget request for Fiscal Year 2022 and examine the Departmen… Continue Reading
Chairman Scott Praises Biden-Harris Administration for Preserving Access to School Meals
06.11.21 WASHINGTON - Chairman Robert C. "Bobby" Scott (VA-03) released the following statement after the Biden-Harris Administration withdrew a Trump-era proposal that would have terminated automatic eligibility for free school meals for roughly 1 million students. "When the Trump Administration first proposed denying 1 million children automatic eligibility for free school meals, I raised awareness of the severe impact of this rule and called on the Administration to abandon its counterproductive prop… Continue Reading
What They’re Saying: The Keeping All Students Safe Act
05.27.21 WASHINGTON- The most current data reveals that 101,990 students were subjected to seclusion or restraint in the United States during the 2017-18 school year, 78 percent of whom were students with disabilities and disproportionately Black boys. Representatives Robert C. "Bobby" Scott (D-Va.), Chair of the House Committee on Education and Labor, Don Beyer (D-Va.) and A. Donald McEachin (D-Va.) and Senators Chris Murphy (D-CT) and Patty Murray (D-Wash.), Chair of the Senate Committee on Health, Edu… Continue Reading
Scott, Beyer, McEachin, Murphy, Murray Reintroduce Legislation to Protect Students from Dangerous Seclusion and Restraint Practices
05.26.21 WASHINGTON - Today, Chairman Robert C. "Bobby" Scott (D-Va.), House Committee on Education and Labor, Representative Don Beyer (D-Va.), Representative Donald McEachin (D-Va.), Chair Patty Murray (D-Wash.), Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP), and Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) reintroduced the Keeping All Students Safe Act (H.R.3474) legislation to protect students from dangerous seclusion and restraint discipline practices in school. The Keeping All Students Safe … Continue Reading
Chairman Scott Opening Statement at Hearing on American Jobs Plan
04.28.21 WASHINGTON – Education and Labor Committee Chairman Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03) delivered the following opening statement at today’s full committee hearing, entitled “Building Back Better: Investing in Improving Schools, Creating Jobs, and Strengthening Families and our Economy.” “Today, we are gathered to discuss how substantial investments in the infrastructure of our schools, workforce, and communities will help overcome the COVID-19 pa… Continue Reading
Chairman Scott: Biden Budget Makes Long-Term Commitment to Our Nation’s Students
04.09.21 WASHINGTON – Chairman Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03) released the following statement in response to the release of President Biden’s “skinny budget,” which calls for a $20 billion increase for Title I education funding, a more than 200 percent increase compared to the current fiscal year. “Inequity has always been a defining characteristic of America’s education system, and the wide funding gaps that exist between scho… Continue Reading
Chairman Scott Applauds Comprehensive Review of DeVos Title IX Rule
04.06.21 WASHINGTON – Chairman Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03) released the following statement after the Department of Education announced it is conducting a comprehensive review of the Title IX rule established under the Trump Administration. “Providing students an environment where they are safe and free from discrimination is the most basic responsibility of schools and institutions. It is the foundation that gives all students the opportunity to learn and grow… Continue Reading
Chairman Scott Celebrates K-12 Investments in American Rescue Plan
03.10.21 WASHINGTON - Chairman Robert C. "Bobby" Scott (VA-03) released the following statement after the House passed H.R. 1319, the American Rescue Plan, which invests nearly $130 billion in K-12 education. "The American Rescue Plan is the most significant investment in K-12 education in generations. This relief package will provide schools the resources they need to comply with CDC guidelines, protect students and staff, and make up for lost time in the classroom. Throughout the past year, school l… Continue Reading