Press Releases
Currently showing results related to Worker Safety and Health
Ranking Member Adams Opening Statement at Oversight Hearing with OSHA
09.27.23 WASHINGTON - Ranking Member Alma Adams (NC-12) delivered the following opening statement at today’s Workforce Protections Subcommittee hearing with Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health Doug Parker. “Thank you, Chairman Kiley. First of all, I want to thank Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health, Mr. Doug Parker. Thank you for your time, I look forward to hearing your testimony. “There is no question that the Occupational Safety and Health Adm… Continue Reading
Committee Leaders Ask Republicans (Again) to Hold Hearing on Child Labor Violations
09.13.23 WASHINGTON - Today, Education and the Workforce Committee Ranking Member Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03) and Workforce Protections Subcommittee Ranking Member Alma Adams (NC-12) sent a second letter urging Chairwoman Virginia Foxx (NC-05) to hold a hearing on the rise of child labor violations and legislative proposals to address abusive child labor. Ranking Members Scott and Adams sent the letter as Health, Employment, Labor, and Pensions Subcommittee Chairman Bob Good (VA-05) dedicates the Co… Continue Reading
Labor Leaders Introduce Heat Stress Legislation to Protect Workers
07.26.23 WASHINGTON - Today, as temperatures around the world hit record highs, Ranking Member Robert C. “Bobby” Scott, House Committee on Education and the Workforce, along with Reps. Judy Chu (CA-28), Raúl Grijalva (AZ-07), and Alma Adams (NC-12), introduced legislation to ensure the safety and health of workers who are exposed to dangerous heat conditions in the workplace. Senators Sherrod Brown (OH) and Alex Padilla (CA) introduced identical companion legislation in the Senate. The Asunción Valdivi… Continue Reading
Following Ranking Member Scott’s Call, MSHA Proposes New Rule to Protect Coal Miners from Cancers, Silicosis, and Black Lung Disease
06.30.23 WASHINGTON - Today, Ranking Member Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03) commended the Mine Safety and Health Administration for its proposed rule to improve the respirable crystalline silica standard. “Silica dust inhaled on the job is a grave threat to miners’ health. When it is inhaled and becomes trapped in lung tissues, silica dust causes scarring and inflammation. It can then cause silicosis, a progressive and incurable disease characterized by a reduction in the lung’s capacity to take in oxyg… Continue Reading
On Workers Memorial Day, Rep. Courtney, Ranking Member Scott Lead Legislation to Improve Workplace Safety
04.28.23 WASHINGTON - To honor Workers Memorial Day, Rep. Courtney (CT-02), a senior member of the House Committee on Education and the Workforce, and Rep. Bobby Scott (VA-03), Ranking Member of the House Committee on Education and the Workforce, introduced the Protecting America’s Workers Act. This bill would meaningfully strengthen and modernize the Occupation Safety and Health Act for the first time in over 50 years by ensuring employers promptly correct hazardous working conditions, protect whistleb… Continue Reading
Rep. Courtney Leads Bipartisan Lawmakers in Curbing Violence Against Health Care and Social Service Workers
04.18.23 WASHINGTON, DC—Today, Congressman Joe Courtney (CT-02), a senior member of the House Education and the Workforce Committee, and Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) a senior member of the Health, Employment, Labor, and Pensions Committee, re-introduced bipartisan, bicameral legislation to curb the rising rates of workplace violence facing health care and social service workers, including nurses, emergency responders, medical assistants, physicians, and social workers. Health care and social service w… 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
Bipartisan Labor Leaders Introduce Bill to Protect Workers’ Right to Organize
02.28.23 WASHINGTON - Today, a bipartisan group of House and Senate Members introduced the Richard L. Trumka Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO) Act of 2023 (H.R. 20), a comprehensive proposal to protect workers’ right to come together and bargain for higher wages, better benefits, and safer workplaces. The House bill was introduced by the Committee on Education and the Workforce Ranking Member Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (D-VA-03) and Representative Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA-01). The Senate companion was … Continue Reading
ICYMI: Ahead of 30th Anniversary of FMLA, Democratic Lawmakers Hold Press Conference Unveiling Legislative Package To Establish Paid Leave And Expand And Modernize FMLA
02.01.23 WASHINGTON, DC - Today, U.S. Representative Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) and Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), along with Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Tina Smith (D-MN) and U.S. Representatives Richie Neal (D-MA), Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (D-VA), Sean Casten (D-IL), and Lauren Underwood (D-IL) held a press conference ahead of the 30th anniversary of the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) to announce a legislative package to establish a paid family and medical leave program and expand and moderniz… Continue Reading
Ranking Member Scott Applauds Biden Administration Efforts to Help Miners, Families Access Care
01.19.23 WASHINGTON - Ranking Member Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03) released the following statement after the Department of Labor announced a proposed rule that would make reforms to the Black Lung benefits program to ensure that coal operators honor their responsibility to fund the workers’ compensation benefits miners and their survivors are entitled to receive. “Decades ago, Congress established the Black Lung Benefits Act to provide monthly compensation and medical coverage for coal miners who dev… 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
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
Scott Announces Support for Inflation Reduction Act
08.10.22 NEWPORT NEWS, VA - Congressman Bobby Scott (VA-03), Chairman of the House Committee on Education and Labor, issued the following statement announcing his support for the Inflation Reduction Act: “The Inflation Reduction Act delivers key components of President Biden and Congressional Democrats’ agenda to invest in jobs and the economy while lowering costs for working families. This legislation will lower the cost of health care, prescription drugs, and energy for millions of American families.… Continue Reading
Committee Passes Bills to Protect Workers from Heat Stress, Address and Prevent Child Hunger
07.27.22 WASHINGTON - Today, the Education and Labor Committee advanced two bills—the Asunción Valdivia Heat Illness and Fatality Prevention Act of 2022 (H.R. 2193) and Healthy Meals, Healthy Kids Act (H.R. 8450)—to protect workers from heat stress on the job and address and prevent child hunger. The Asunción Valdivia Heat Illness and Fatality Prevention Act of 2022 would direct the Occupational Safety and Health Administration to establish an enforceable standard that protects workers in jobs at risk f… Continue Reading
Chairman Scott Opening Remarks at Mark Up of Bills to Protect Workers from Heat Stress, Address and Prevent Child Hunger
07.27.22 WASHINGTON - House Education and Labor Committee Chairman Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03) delivered the following opening statement at today’s Committee Markup of H.R. 2193, the Asunción Valdivia Heat Illness and Fatality Prevention Act of 2022, and H.R. 8450, the Healthy Meals, Healthy Kids Act. "Today, the Committee is marking up legislation to protect workers from heat-related illness and death, and help address and prevent child hunger. "The first bill, the Asunción Valdivia Heat Illness … Continue Reading
4 Hours of GOP Complaining, 0 Credible GOP Plans to Lower Costs for Workers and Their Families
06.14.22 Today's Committee Hearing with Secretary of Labor Marty Walsh, Democrats showed up for work and highlighted how the Biden-Harris administration and House Democrats are helping workers and their families succeed in the modern economy. Meanwhile, Committee Republicans spent the majority of their time criticizing the Biden-Harris administration yet offered zero credible plans to help lower costs for workers and their families. What's more, Republicans have voted no on several Committee proposals t… Continue Reading
Scott, Adams Introduce Bill to Protect Future Benefits, Health Care for Miners with Black Lung Disease
01.20.22 WASHINGTON - Today, Education and Labor Committee Chairman Bobby Scott (VA-03) and Subcommittee on Workforce Protections Chairwoman Alma Adams (NC-12), introduced the Black Lung Benefits Disability Trust Fund Solvency Act of 2022 (H.R. 6462). This legislation would extend the black lung excise tax rate, which expired at the end of last year, to fund future benefits and health care for miners suffering from black lung disease. Without revenue from the tax, the Black Lung Disability Trust Fund i… Continue Reading
Committee Leaders to Biden Administration: Preserve Safety Protections for Health Care Workers
01.17.22 WASHINGTON – In a letter to President Biden and Department of Labor Secretary Marty Walsh, Chairman Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03) and Workforce Protections Subcommittee Chairwoman Alma Adams (NC-12) urged the Administration to reverse its plans to remove an emergency workplace safety standard that protects health care workers from COVID-19. The Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS) – which was issued by the Biden Administration in June 2021 – requires health care fac… Continue Reading
Chairman Scott: SCOTUS Decision Undermines OSHA’s Authority to Protect Workers Against COVID-19
01.13.22 WASHINGTON – Chairman Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03) released the following statement after the Supreme Court ruled to reject the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) COVID-19 vaccine or test requirement for employers with 100 or more employees. “While I am relieved that the Supreme Court upheld the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) rule protecting health care workers and patients, today’s decision is a significant setback i… Continue Reading
Chairman Scott Applauds Biden Effort to Save American Lives, Keep Businesses Open
11.04.21 WASHINGTON - Chairman Robert C. "Bobby" Scott (VA-03) released the following statement after the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) issued an emergency workplace safety standard requiring employers with 100 or more employees to ensure all their workers are vaccinated or produce a negative test on a weekly basis. "The Biden Administration's emergency workplace safety standard is a turning point in the fight against COVID-19. As more than 1,200 Americans continue to die every d… Continue Reading