Press Releases
Currently showing results related to Higher Education
What People Are *Actually* Saying About the So-Called “College Cost Reduction Act”
01.31.24 WASHINGTON - Today, Committee Republicans will advance legislation—H.R. 6951, the College Cost Reduction Act—that would wreak havoc on our higher education system and inflict pain on students struggling to afford a college degree. H.R. 6951 raises the cost of going to college for students and families by restricting access to federal student aid and affordable loan repayment plans, exposes students and taxpayers to predatory and low-quality institutions by repealing existing consumer protection… Continue Reading
Ranking Member Scott Delivers Opening Statement at Markup of GOP’s Extreme Bill to Raise Costs, Reduce Access to College
01.31.24 WASHINGTON - Ranking Member Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03) delivered the following opening statement at today’s full committee markup of H.R. 6951, the College Cost Reduction Act. “Madam Chair, you’ve heard me quote President Lyndon B. Johnson when he signed the Higher Education Act—when he said that it meant—and I quote: ‘a high school senior anywhere in this great land of ours can apply to any college or any university in any of the 50 states and not be turned away because [their] family i… Continue Reading
Committee Democrats Launch Roadmap to College Student Success
01.30.24 WASHINGTON - Today, Education and the Workforce Committee Democrats launched their Roadmap to College Student Success (RCSS), which will lay out a legislative blueprint for improving our nation’s higher education system for students and families. The “roadmap” will bring together a series of bold proposals focused on bringing down the cost of college, helping students access a quality degree, and—once students are in school—providing them with the support they need to graduate. Watch the la… Continue Reading
Scott Supports ED Decision to Reverse Course and Adjust FAFSA Form to Ensure Students Get Full Amount of Relief
01.24.24 WASHINGTON - Ranking Member Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03) released the following statement after the Department of Education (Department) decided to adjust the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) Income Protection Allowance for the 2024-2025 award year to accurately account for inflation. “This is great news for students and families. The FAFSA Income Protection Allowance is a critical tool to help students determine how much aid for which they are eligible. I am pleased that the… Continue Reading
Ranking Member Scott Votes “NO” on House Republicans’ Extreme, Anti-Choice Bill to Keep Pregnant Students in the Dark About Their Rights
01.18.24 WASHINGTON - Today, Ranking Member Robert C. “Bobby Scott” delivered the following floor remarks in opposition to House Republicans’ H.R. 6914, an extreme and anti-choice bill that would prescribe the circulation of a limited set of resources and information institutions of higher education must provide pregnant students regarding their pre-existing rights and protections. These resources—which leave out information on contraception, abortion, pregnancy loss, and other reproductive and sexual h… Continue Reading
Ranking Member Scott Urges ED to Prevent Further Delays in FAFSA Processing
01.12.24 WASHINGTON - Ranking Member Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03) raised concerns with the Department of Education (Department) over delays in implementing the simplified Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for the 2024-2025 award year. “While I am pleased that the Department met its statutory requirement to launch the FAFSA to students before the January 1 deadline, I am concerned that the majority of FAFSA processing will continue to be delayed this year,” Ranking Member Scott wrote. … Continue Reading
Committee Republicans Vote to Keep Pregnant Students in the Dark About Their Rights and Protections
01.10.24 WASHINGTON - Today, Committee Republicans advanced legislation that would limit pregnant students’ access to information and resources regarding all the rights and protections available to them on college campuses. H.R. 6914, the so-called Pregnant Students’ Rights Act, would prescribe a limited set of resources and information that institutions of higher education must provide to pregnant students regarding their rights and protections. These resources—which leave out information on contracep… Continue Reading
Ranking Member Scott Opening Statement at Markup of Anti-Choice Bill and Bill to Reinforce DOL Response to Human Trafficking
01.10.24 WASHINGTON - Ranking Member Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03) delivered the following opening statement at today’s full committee markup of H.R. 6914, the Pregnant Students’ Rights Act, and H.R. 443, the Enhancing Detection of Human Trafficking Act. “Thank you, Madam Chair. Today, the Committee is marking up two bills. “The first bill we will consider is H.R. 6914, the so-called Pregnant Students’ Rights Act. “More than a year and a half ago, the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, which tri… Continue Reading
Ranking Member Scott Remarks in Opposition to H.Res. 927
12.13.23 WASHINGTON - Ranking Member Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03) delivered the following remarks during the debate of H. Res. 927, Condemning antisemitism on university campuses and the testimony of University Presidents in the House Committee on Education and the Workforce. “I condemn antisemitism in all forms. Moreover, calls for the genocide of Jewish people have no place in reasonable discourse, and I condemn them. I did not think such a statement should be necessary, but in today’s context, it… Continue Reading
Ranking Member Scott Votes “NO” on Republicans’ Plan to Raise Student Loan Payments for 5.5 Million Borrowers
12.07.23 WASHINGTON - Today, Ranking Member Robert C. “Bobby Scott” delivered the following floor remarks in opposition to House Republicans’ proposal to repeal the Saving on a Valuable Education student loan repayment plan (H.J.Res. 88). View Ranking Member Scott’s floor remarks on YouTube. “Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to H.J.Res. 88, the Congressional Review Act on the Saving on a Valuable Education (SAVE) Plan. “Last August, the Department of Education launched the SAVE Plan, a new, generou… Continue Reading
Ranking Member Scott Leads Opposition to Extreme GOP Bill that Jeopardizes Global Research Partnerships
12.06.23 WASHINGTON - Today, Ranking Member Robert C. “Bobby Scott” delivered the following remarks during today’s House floor debate on House Republicans’ DETERRENT Act (H.R. 5933). View Ranking Member Scott’s floor remarks on YouTube. “Historically, collaborations with global partners—and careful federal investments in research—have enabled our colleges and universities to make bold, forward-thinking strides in health, science, and technology for people around the world. “Additionally, institution… Continue Reading
Ranking Member Scott Opening Statement at Committee Hearing on Antisemitism on College Campuses
12.05.23 WASHINGTON - Ranking Member Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03) delivered the following opening statement at today’s House Education and the Workforce Committee hearing on antisemitism on college campuses. Watch Ranking Member Scott’s opening statement here. “Historically, college campuses have been hubs for students and faculty to foster intellectual thought and expression. Regrettably, following Hamas’ October 7th attack on innocent civilians in Israel and the ongoing conflict in Gaza, college … Continue Reading
ICYMI: Ranking Member Scott Addresses Funding Disparities at 1890 Land Grant Universities
11.21.23 WASHINGTON - Last week, Ranking Member Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03) hosted a briefing with experts on the state of funding for 1890 land-grant Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), which remains inequitable largely due to state underfunding, and the impact these institutions have on Black students and agriculture advancements. Watch Ranking Member Scott’s remarks on YouTube. Ranking Member Scott delivered the following remarks during the briefing: “The first Morrill Act o… Continue Reading
Ranking Member Scott Opening Statement at Hearing on Antisemitism on College Campuses
11.14.23 WASHINGTON - Ranking Member Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03) delivered the following opening statement at today’s Higher Education and Workforce Development Subcommittee hearing on antisemitism on college campuses. “It has been over a month since Hamas’ terrorist attack on innocent civilians in Israel and the start of a brutal, ongoing war in Gaza. This conflict has directly devastated thousands of people—Israelis and Palestinians alike and countless families and friends across the world and in… Continue Reading
Committee GOP Advances Bill to Jeopardize Global Research Partnerships
11.08.23 WASHINGTON - Today, Committee Republicans advanced legislation that fails to meaningfully prevent undue foreign influence and intellectual property theft at colleges and universities while jeopardizing critical global research partnerships. H.R. 5933, the Defending Education Transparency and Ending Rogue Regimes Engaging in Nefarious Transactions (DETERRENT) Act, adds new and onerous reporting requirements under Section 117 of the Higher Education Act that will make it harder for colleges and u… Continue Reading
Ranking Member Scott Opening Statement at Markup of Bill to Jeopardize Global Research Partnerships
11.08.23 WASHINGTON - Ranking Member Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03) delivered the following opening statement at today’s full committee markup of H.R. 5933, the Defending Education Transparency and Ending Rogue Regimes Engaging in Nefarious Transactions (DETERRENT) Act. “Thank you, Dr. Foxx. “This bill, as I understand it, affects gifts to institutions of higher education and their employees, so I’ll focus my remarks on the legislation. “Global partnerships among academic institutions play a critical… Continue Reading
Scott, Leger Fernández, Baldwin, Dean Introduce Legislation to Lower Cost of Community College
10.19.23 WASHINGTON - House Education and the Workforce Committee Ranking Member Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (D-VA-03), Representative Teresa Leger Fernández (D-NM-03), Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), and Representative Madeleine Dean (D-PA-04) introduced legislation in both the House and Senate chambers to make community college and two-year Tribal Colleges and Universities more accessible by waiving tuition fees for eligible students. “Community colleges play a unique and vital role in providing students a… Continue Reading
Ranking Member Scott Opening Statement at Hearing on Race-Conscious College Admissions Policies
09.28.23 WASHINGTON - Ranking Member Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03) delivered the following opening statement at today’s Higher Education and Workforce Development Subcommittee hearing on race-conscious college admissions policies. “Thank you, Chairman Owens, and thank you to our witnesses for your testimony today. “Our nation still has a compelling interest in fostering racially diverse campuses, and the Supreme Court’s ruling in the Harvard and UNC cases does not change that. “In fact, it was the S… Continue Reading
Ranking Member Scott Applauds Biden for Protecting Students, Taxpayers from Low-Quality Education Programs
09.28.23 WASHINGTON - Ranking Member Scott issued the following statement after the Biden Administration announced a final rule that will help hold career programs that receive federal financial aid accountable for ensuring their graduates can secure gainful employment after completing a degree. “The Gainful Employment rule is a critical tool to address low-quality career programs that frequently leave graduates with crushing debt and no meaningful career prospects. That is why I voiced strong oppositi… Continue Reading
As Student Loan Payments Resume, Ranking Member Scott Highlights Education Department Resources, Reforms to Support Borrowers
09.06.23 WASHINGTON - Today, Ranking Member Scott applauded the Department of Education (ED) for its work to support student loan borrowers as student loan payments and interest accrual resume for the first time in just over three years. “With the return to student loan repayment underway, student loan borrowers and their families may be worried about their economic security. Thankfully, the Biden-Harris administration is here to help with resources and reforms that will facilitate a smoother transitio… Continue Reading