Press Releases
Currently showing results related to Worker Safety and Health
Chairman Scott Urges Yes Vote on Pregnant Workers Fairness Act
09.17.20 "Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 2694, the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act. No one should have to choose between financial security and a healthy pregnancy. Unfortunately, our pregnancy anti-discrimination laws urgently need be updated to provide reasonable accommodations for workers. "Current federal law does not clearly guarantee pregnant workers' right to reasonable accommodations in the workplace - such as water, seating, bathroom breaks, and lifting restrictions. These basic prot… Continue Reading
Pregnant Workers Fairness Act: What People Are Saying
09.17.20 WASHINGTON - Today, the House will vote to secure critical rights for pregnant workers. The Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (H.R. 2694) would clearly establish a pregnant worker's right to a "reasonable accommodation" so that no worker is forced to choose between financial security and a healthy pregnancy. Here's what some the leading organizations are saying about the bill: A Better Balance: "No one should have to choose between keeping their job and a healthy pregnancy-not during a pandemic, no… Continue Reading
Following Deadly Beirut Explosion, Labor Leaders Call on OSHA to Update Ammonium Nitrate Standard
08.17.20 WASHINGTON – Three members of the House Committee on Education and Labor wrote to Secretary of Labor Eugene Scalia today calling on the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to update its standards to protect American workers and communities from catastrophic explosions like the recent tragic events in Beirut and in West, Texas in 2013. The Beirut ammonium nitrate explosion has killed over 200 people and the West Fertilizer explosion killed 15, including 12 emergency respond… Continue Reading
Chairman Scott Remarks at Joint COVID-19 Oversight Press Conference
08.06.20 WASHINGTON - Chairman of the Committee on Education and Labor, Rep. Robert C. "Bobby" Scott, delivered the following remarks during a press conference to discuss a joint Committee analysis on the Trump Administration's disastrous response to the coronavirus crisis and the urgent need for a national comprehensive plan. Chairman Scott was joined by Rep. James E. Clyburn, Chairman of the Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Crisis, Rep. Frank Pallone, Jr., Chairman of the Energy and Commerce Comm… Continue Reading
Chairman Scott Statement on Virginia OSHA Approving Strong Worker Protections During COVID-19 Pandemic
07.15.20 WASHINGTON - Chairman Robert C. "Bobby" Scott (VA-03) released the following statement after Virginia became the first state in the country to approve an Emergency Temporary OSHA standard protecting the workers against exposure to the virus that causes COVID-19. "I'm very pleased that the Commonwealth of Virginia has approved an Emergency OSHA standard to protect workers against COVID-19, and I applaud the Governor for his leadership on this issue. In the absence of any serious attempt from t… Continue Reading
Chairman Scott: Court of Appeals Ruling Ignores Evidence that OSHA is Failing to Protect Workers
06.11.20 WASHINGTON - Today, Chairman Bobby Scott (VA-03) issued the following statement after a federal court ruled that the Occupational Safety and Health Administration had "reasonably determined" that workers do not need an enforceable emergency workplace safety standard, or "Emergency Temporary Standard," to protect them against infection during the COVID-19 pandemic. "Today's U.S. Court of Appeals ruling ignores the overwhelming evidence that COVID-19 represents a 'grave' danger to workers and tha… Continue Reading
Head of Federal Worker Safety Agency Refuses to Say Whether COVID-19 Is a Grave Danger to American Workers
05.29.20 WASHINGTON - During yesterday's Subcommittee on Workforce Protections hearing, Chairwoman Alma Adams (NC-12) asked Occupational Safety and Health Administration's (OSHA) Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary Loren Sweatt if the COVID-19 pandemic "presents a grave danger to workers." Ms. Sweatt, who leads the federal agency responsible for the safety of U.S. workers, refused to answer. COVID-19 has caused more deaths among workers in a shorter period of time than any other health emergency sin… Continue Reading
Rep. Bonamici Asks OSHA Director Why Agency Has Issued Only One COVID-19 Related Safety Citation
05.28.20 WASHINGTON - During today's Subcommittee on Workforce Protections hearing, Rep. Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01) asked Occupational Safety and Health Administration's (OSHA) Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary Loren Sweatt to explain why the agency has issued only one COVID-19 workplace safety citation during the worst worker safety crisis in recent history. The sole citation was for recordkeeping. Though OSHA is not tracking nationwide workplace infections, incomplete data show that tens of thousa… Continue Reading
Chairwoman Adams Opening Statement at Workforce Protections Subcommittee Hearing on Protecting Workers from COVID-19
05.28.20 WASHINGTON - Subcommittee on Workforce Protections Chairwoman Alma Adams (NC-12) delivered the following opening statement at today's hearing entitled, "Examining the Federal Government's Actions to Protect Workers from COVID-19." "I will now recognize myself for the purposes of an opening statement. "Today's Subcommittee hearing will explore the performance of the federal government in protecting worker safety during the COVID-19 pandemic. I want to thank OSHA Deputy Assistant Secretary Swea… Continue Reading
Committee Holds Virtual Member Briefing on Worker Safety
05.14.20 WASHINGTON - Today, the Subcommittee on Workforce Protections held a virtual Member briefing to examine the worker safety crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The briefing, entitled "Protecting Workers from COVID-19," focused on how, despite rising death tolls among workers, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) - the only agency in the federal government with the authority to enforce safe working conditions - has not taken meaningful action to protect workers from COVID-19… Continue Reading
Committee Holds Virtual Member Briefing on Worker Safety
05.14.20 WASHINGTON - Today, the Subcommittee on Workforce Protections held a virtual Member briefing to examine the worker safety crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The briefing, entitled "Protecting Workers from COVID-19," focused on how, despite rising death tolls among workers, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) - the only agency in the federal government with the authority to enforce safe working conditions - has not taken meaningful action to protect workers from COVID-19… Continue Reading
Chairman Scott Statement on President Trump Ordering Meat Processing Plants to Stay Open Despite Rising Worker Deaths
04.28.20 WASHINGTON - Chairman Robert C. "Bobby" Scott (VA-03) issued the following statement in response to President Trump's plan to order meat processing plants to stay open and shield companies from liability for the health and safety of their workers. "There is clear evidence that without proper protections from COVID-19, workers in meat processing plants and other workplaces will continue to fall ill and die from this disease. It is profoundly disturbing that President Trump is using his authorit… Continue Reading
Chairman Scott Statement on Workers’ Memorial Day
04.28.20 WASHINGTON - Today, Chairman Robert C. "Bobby" Scott (VA-03) issued the following statement in honor of Workers' Memorial Day. "As we mark Workers' Memorial Day this year, we remember the workers who have lost their lives and recommit to making workplaces safe. This year's remembrance comes at a particularly poignant time as our nation experiences its worst worker safety crisis in recent history. The Centers for Disease Control reports that more than 22,000 health care workers have been infecte… Continue Reading
As Workplace Infections and Deaths Rise, House Democrats Introduce Bill to Protect Workers from COVID-19
04.21.20 WASHINGTON - Today, Chairman Robert C. "Bobby" Scott (VA-03), Workforce Protections Subcommittee Chairwoman Alma Adams (NC-12), and Congresswoman Donna Shalala (FL-27) introduced legislation to protect U.S. workers from COVID-19 in response to disturbing, widespread reports of unsafe workplaces leading to preventable illnesses and deaths. The COVID-19 Every Worker Protection Act (H.R. 6559) would require the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to issue an Emergency Temporary Sta… Continue Reading
Chairman Scott Statement on OSHA Safety Directive
04.14.20 WASHINGTON - Today Chairman Robert C. "Bobby" Scott issued the following statement after the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) released a new enforcement directive for health care facilities in response to COVID-19. "Over the past few months, we have seen the tragic consequences of the Department of Labor's failure to take urgent action to protect frontline health care workers and other essential employees. Without an enforceable workplace safety standard to protect workers … Continue Reading
Chairman Scott, Rep. Adams Call on Secretary Scalia to Take Immediate Action to Protect Workers Against COVID-19
03.06.20 WASHINGTON - Committee on Education and Labor Chairman Robert C. "Bobby" Scott (VA-03) and Subcommittee on Workforce Protections Chair Alma Adams (NC-12) called on Department of Labor (DOL) Secretary Eugene Scalia to take immediate action to protect U.S. workers against COVID-19. In a letter to the Department, the Committee leaders asked Secretary Scalia to direct the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to issue an Emergency Temporary Standard in response to the emerging COVID-1… Continue Reading
GAO Report Finds Lax Government Oversight Allowed Coal Mine Executives to Dump Nearly $1 Billion in Debt on U.S. Taxpayers
02.26.20 *Subcommittee on Workforce Protections will hold a hearing on the report today at 2:00 p.m.* WASHINGTON - A new report released by the Government Accountability Office (GAO) today revealed that since 2014, the bankruptcies of just three coal companies - Alpha Natural Resources, James River Coal, and Patriot Coal - shifted $865 million in liabilities to the Black Lung Disability Trust Fund (Trust Fund) and American taxpayers. In each case, the report found that the Department of Labor failed to … Continue Reading
Committee Advances Bipartisan Proposal to Secure Clear, Strong Protections for Pregnant Workers
01.14.20 WASHINGTON - Today, the Committee on Education and Labor advanced the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (H.R. 2694), a bipartisan proposal to secure clear and strong protections for pregnant workers. The legislation guarantees pregnant workers' right to reasonable accommodations - such as extra bathroom breaks, relief from heavy lifting, and other minor job modifications that ensure they can continue working without jeopardizing their health or the health of their pregnancy. The bill is being led b… Continue Reading
Congressman Courtney Introduces Legislation to Reduce Violence Against Health Care and Social Service Workers
02.21.19 WASHINGTON - Congressman Joe Courtney (CT-02), a senior Member of the House Education and Labor Committee, introduced legislation this week to curb rising rates of workplace violence facing health care and social service employees such as nurses, physicians, emergency responders, medical assistants, and social workers. The Workplace Violence Prevention for Health Care and Social Service Workers Act (H.R. 1309) is co-sponsored by Congressman Robert C. "Bobby" Scott (VA-03), Chairman of the House … Continue Reading
Chairman Scott Statement on Trump Administration Rollback of Worker Safety Protections
01.24.19 WASHINGTON - Chairman Bobby Scott (VA-03) issued the following statement after the Trump administration issued a final rule to rollback worker safety regulations. Specifically, the new rule would no longer require workplaces with 250 or more employees to electronically report workplace injuries and illnesses to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). "As the National Academy of Sciences reported last year, accurate and transparent reporting of workplace injuries and illnesses… Continue Reading