Press Releases
Currently showing results related to Higher Education
Rep. Courtney, DeSaulnier Reintroduce Legislation to Institute Major Reforms to Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program Following Attacks from Trump Administration
04.10.25 WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, Rep. Joe Courtney (D-CT), a senior member of the Education and Workforce Committee and Rep. Mark DeSaulnier (D-CA), Ranking Member of the Health, Employment, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Subcommittee, reintroduced new legislation to institute major reforms to the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program. In 2007, President George W. Bush enacted the law creating PSLF to attract more Americans to careers like teaching, public health, and law enforcement by providin… Continue Reading
Republicans ‘Close Their Eyes’ and Follow Trump as he Dismantles ED
04.09.25 WASHINGTON - Today, the Committee on Education and Workforce Democrats forced Committee Republicans to take a vote on the President’s plans to dismantle the Department of Education (ED). H. Res. 237 would require the President and Secretary of Education to share information with Congress regarding the Administration’s efforts to dismantle ED and its potential impact on students nationwide. In accordance with House Rules, if the Resolution of Inquiry was marked up in the Committee within fourte… Continue Reading
Ranking Member Scott’s Statement on Trump Dismantling ED
03.20.25 WASHINGTON - Ranking Member Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03), House Committee on Education and Workforce, released the following statement in response to President Trump’s executive order to dismantle the Department of Education (ED). To see how this action is part of President Trump’s Project 2025 Agenda to benefit billionaires at the expense of workers, students, and families, read page 352 of Project 2025 here. “Abolishing a federal agency requires an act of Congress. President Trump’s exec… Continue Reading
Committee Republicans Pass Unfunded Mandates, Bills to Make School Meals Less Healthy, and Weaken Our International Relations
02.12.25 WASHINGTON - Today, Committee Republicans advanced four education bills and one nutrition bill that would further burden the U.S. Department of Education even as they seek to dismantle the Department and endanger the future of public education. “[T]he proposals we are considering today will not actually improve students’ education and outcomes. We are considering a series of bills that only add complexity and confusion and, frankly, are solutions in search of a problem,” said Ranking Member Sc… Continue Reading
President Biden Signs Bipartisan Bill to Protect Students and Stop Hazing
12.25.24 WASHINGTON - Yesterday, President Biden signed H.R. 5646, the bipartisan Stop Campus Hazing Act, a critical measure aimed at combating hazing and enhancing student safety across college campuses nationwide. “Since the year 2000, there have been more than 100 hazing-related deaths on college campuses. Fortunately, the Stop Campus Hazing Act aims to prevent students from dangerous hazing on college campuses," said Ranking Member Scott. “By improving reporting and mandating prevention programs, th… Continue Reading
Courtney, DeSaulnier, Sarbanes Introduce Legislation to Institute Major Reforms to Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program
12.18.24 WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, Rep. Joe Courtney (D-CT), a senior member of the Education and the Workforce Committee, Rep. Mark DeSaulnier (D-CA), Ranking Member of the Health, Employment, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Subcommittee, and Rep. John Sarbanes (D-MD), introduced new legislation to institute major reforms to the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program. In 2007, Rep. Sarbanes authored, and President George W. Bush enacted, the law creating PSLF to attract more Americans to careers li… Continue Reading
Ranking Member Scott Supports Bill Empowering Tribal College Presidents
12.17.24 WASHINGTON - Today, Ranking Member Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03) delivered the following remarks during the House floor debate of S.5355, the National Advisory Council on Indian Education (NACIE) Improvement Act. This bill would ensure that a president of a Tribal Colleges and University (TCU) is on the National Advisory Council on Indian Education (NACIE). The bill strengthens TCU representation in federal policy discussions and supports the unique needs of Native American students and commun… Continue Reading
Senate Passes Bipartisan McBath Bill to Stop Hazing on College Campuses
12.12.24 Washington, D.C. — Representative Lucy McBath (D-GA) is joined by Representative Jeff Duncan (R-SC), Education and the Workforce Committee Chairwoman Virginia Foxx (R-NC), Ranking Member Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (D-VA), Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Senator Bill Cassidy (R-LA), and Representative Glen “GT” Thompson (R-PA), in celebrating the Senate passage of H.R. 5646, the bipartisan Stop Campus Hazing Act, which combats hazing and dangerous practices towards students on college campuses. “I kn… Continue Reading
Ranking Member Scott Applauds Signing of FAFSA Deadline Act into Law
12.11.24 WASHINGTON - Today, President Biden signed the FAFSA Deadline Act, H.R. 8932, into law, a critical step forward in improving access to federal student aid for millions of students and families. The bill, supported by Ranking Member Robert C. “Bobby Scott” (D-VA), mandates that the U.S. Department of Education release the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form by October 1st each year, beginning in 2025, ensuring students can access the financial support they need in a timely mann… Continue Reading
Ranking Member Scott Statement on Nomination of Linda McMahon for Secretary of Education
11.20.24 WASHINGTON - Today, Ranking Member Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03) released the following statement after President-elect Trump nominated Linda McMahon to serve as the next Secretary of the Department of Education. McMahon is chair of the board of the America First Policy Institute, which advocates for school choice and the use of public funds — through vouchers and tax credits — for private educational institutions. “The vast majority of America’s students attend a public school. As such, the… Continue Reading
Ranking Member Scott Champions FAFSA Accessibility Measure
11.15.24 WASHINGTON - Today, Ranking Member Robert C. “Bobby Scott” delivered the following floor remarks in support of H.R. 8932, the FAFSA Deadline Act. This legislation would require the Department of Education to release the FAFSA by October 1 instead of the current January 1st deadline, so students and families across the country can access their federal student aid in a timely manner. Watch Ranking Member Scott’s floor remarks on YouTube. “I rise in support of H.R. 8932, the FAFSA Deadline Act… Continue Reading
GAO Report Spotlights How ED Effectively Communicated with Student Borrowers About Successfully Resuming Loan Payments
10.10.24 WASHINGTON - Today, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) unveiled a new report highlighting how the Department of Education effectively communicated with borrowers about resuming student loan payments following the temporary pause during the COVID-19 pandemic and how they were able to prevent record numbers of delinquency. As of January 2024, around 17.8 million borrowers were current on their payments, reflecting effective communication during this transition. The report was requested by… Continue Reading
House Passes Bipartisan Stop Campus Hazing Act to Protect Students and Combat Hazing
09.24.24 WASHINGTON - Education and the Workforce Committee Ranking Member Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (D-VA), Chairwoman Virginia Foxx (R-NC), Representative Lucy McBath (D-GA), Representative Jeff Duncan (R-SC), issued the following statements after the House passed H.R. 5646, the bipartisan Stop Campus Hazing Act, a critical measure aimed at combating hazing and enhancing student safety across college campuses nationwide. “Since the year 2000, there have been more than 100 hazing-related deaths on colleg… Continue Reading
ICYMI: Ranking Member Scott Questions Government Watchdog about FAFSA Missteps
09.24.24 WASHINGTON - Today at a Higher Education and Workforce Development Subcommittee hearing, Ranking Member Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03) questioned Government Accountability Office investigators about the Department of Education’s implementation of the Simplify FAFSA Act. Watch Ranking Member Scott’s questioning on YouTube. Ranking Member Robert C. “Bobby” Scott: “I think our witnesses have outlined a total mess and we didn't need to hear that. I think all of us have heard that from our coll… Continue Reading
Scott Supports ED’s New Proposal for Stronger Protections for Students
08.23.24 WASHINGTON - Education and the Workforce Committee Ranking Member Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03) voiced support for the U.S. Department of Education’s (ED) proposed regulations regarding distance education, return of Title IV funds, and federal TRIO programs. In a letter to Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona, Ranking Member Scott praised ED’s efforts, including their effort to ensure that online education programs deliver quality instruction and help protect students from predatory practices… Continue Reading
As Students Return to Campus, Ranking Member Scott Urges Schools to Share Plans to Foster Safe, Welcoming Campuses
08.23.24 WASHINGTON - Today, in an open letter to schools, Ranking Member Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03) urged campus leaders to ensure that they are equipped to create safe and healthy learning environments for students and faculty ahead of the upcoming academic year. The letter comes nearly a year after many college campuses became the site of intense protests and heightened antisemitic and Islamophobic incidents. Following these incidents, the U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights (O… Continue Reading
*NEW* Watchdog Report: College Students Experiencing Hunger Face Barriers Accessing SNAP Benefits
07.25.24 WASHINGTON - The Government Accountability Office (GAO) released a new report on how many college students experiencing hunger apply for and receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. The GAO found that an estimated 23 percent of college students experienced food insecurity in 2020. And, of those food insecure students, a majority reported multiple instances of eating less, or skipping a meal because they could not afford enough food. The GAO estimated that fewer than tw… Continue Reading
Committee Republicans Vote to Undermine FAFSA and Jeopardize Retirees’ Savings
07.10.24 WASHINGTON - Today, the Committee on Education and the Workforce Republicans passed bills to: (1) undermine the Department of Education’s ability to roll out an accurate the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), and (2) repeal the Biden-Harris’ Administration’s commonsense Retirement Security Rule. “Once again, we’re missing an opportunity to actually advance meaningful solutions that will uplift students, workers, and their families,” said Ranking Member Scott. H.R. 8932 would as… Continue Reading
Ranking Member Scott Opening Statement at Markup of Bills to Undermine FAFSA and Jeopardize Retirees’ Savings
07.10.24 *Amendments and letters of 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. 8932, H.R. 294, H.R. 6319, H.R. 2574, H.J. Res. 142 “Thank you, Madam Chair. “Madam Chair, once again, we’re missing an opportunity to actually advance meaningful solutions that will uplift students, workers, and their families. “The first proposal we will consider is H.R.… Continue Reading
ICYMI: On One Year Anniversary of SCOTUS Affirmative Action Decision, Ranking Member Scott Sets the Record Straight
06.28.24 WASHINGTON - Yesterday, Ranking Member Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03) hosted a briefing with Attorney Marc Minor, Vice Chair of Racial & Ethnic Diversity for his firm’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Initiative, to set the record straight on the Supreme Court’s affirmative action ruling in Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard and Students for Fair Admissions v. UNC, and the implications on areas outside of higher education. Watch Ranking Member Scott’s remarks on YouTube. Ran… Continue Reading