Press Releases
Currently showing results related to The Committee's Response to COVID-19
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
Chairman Scott Statement on House Passage of Interim COVID-19 Response Bill
04.23.20 WASHINGTON - Today Chairman Robert C. "Bobby" Scott issued the following statement after the House passed the Senate's interim funding package in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. "The interim funding legislation passed by the House today will provide urgent relief to vulnerable small businesses and their workers. Thanks to the efforts of Democratic leadership, this funding package sets aside $60 billion for small lenders, such as community-based banks and credit unions, so that small business… 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
House Democrats Introduce Bill to Help Workers Keep Job-Based Health Coverage During COVID-19 Crisis
04.14.20 WASHINGTON - Today, Committee on Education and Labor Chairman Robert C. "Bobby" Scott (VA-03), Congressman Steven Horsford (NV-04), and Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (MI-12) introduced legislation to help workers maintain their job-based health insurance in response to an unprecedented wave of layoffs and furloughs caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The Worker Health Coverage Protection Act, would provide federal assistance to cover the full cost of COBRA premiums for workers or the full cost of he… Continue Reading
Democratic Health Leaders Call on Trump Administration to Help Millions Affected by COVID-19 Access Health Coverage
04.13.20 WASHINGTON - After another staggering and unprecedented spike in claims for unemployment benefits, House and Senate Democratic health leaders reiterated an urgent request for the Trump administration to immediately establish a new Special Enrollment Period (SEP) for millions affected by the ongoing economic and health crisis. The Democratic health leaders also called on the Trump administration to use all administrative tools available to assist the millions affected by the coronavirus pandemic … Continue Reading
Chairman Scott Statement on Distribution of First $6 Billion in Emergency CARES Act Funding to Colleges and Students
04.09.20 WASHINGTON - Chairman Bobby Scott (VA-03) issued the following statement after the Department of Education announced it will distribute some of the CARES Act emergency education to colleges and students. "The COVID-19 public health emergency is putting an enormous strain on our higher education system. In passing the CARES Act, Congress issued a down payment on the immediate and substantial relief that displaced students and cash-strapped institutions need to cope with this crisis. The CARES Ac… Continue Reading
Democratic Health Leaders Call on Trump Administration to Help Struggling Americans and Create Special Health Care Enrollment Period
04.03.20 WASHINGTON - Today, House and Senate Democratic health leaders strongly urged the Trump Administration to put American families first and establish a general Special Enrollment Period (SEP) so that people affected by the coronavirus pandemic can sign up for health coverage. House Education and Labor Chairman Robert C. "Bobby" Scott (D-VA), Ways and Means Chairman Richard E. Neal (D-MA), Energy and Commerce Chairman Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ), along with Senate Finance Committee Ranking Member Ron… Continue Reading
Democratic Health Leaders Call for Free COVID-19 Treatment for All Americans
04.03.20 WASHINGTON - House Education and Labor Chairman Bobby Scott (D-VA), House Energy and Commerce Chairman Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ), House Ways and Means Chairman Richard E. Neal (D-MA), Senate HELP Ranking Member Patty Murray (D-WA) and Senate Finance Ranking Member Ron Wyden (D-OR) released a joint statement today calling for additional Congressional action to ensure that COVID-19 treatment is free of cost for everyone and that people have the opportunity to sign up for health insurance. "Tonigh… Continue Reading
Bicameral Democratic Health Leaders Condemn Trump Refusal to Reopen Enrollment on the Marketplaces
04.01.20 WASHINGTON - House Education and Labor Chairman Bobby Scott (D-VA), House Energy and Commerce Chairman Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ), House Ways and Means Chairman Richard E. Neal (D-MA), Senate HELP Ranking Member Patty Murray (D-WA), and Senate Finance Ranking Member Ron Wyden (D-OR) released a joint statement today condemning President Trump's decision not to establish a special Affordable Care Act open enrollment period in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. "President Trump's refusal to give … Continue Reading
Chairman Scott to NLRB: End Suspension of Union Representation Elections
03.31.20 WASHINGTON - Today, Committee on Education and Labor Chairman Robert C. "Bobby" Scott (VA-03) sent a letter to National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) Chairman John Ring calling on NLRB to reverse its suspension of union elections, especially mail ballot elections, amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The letter comes after the NLRB announced it was suspending all representation elections through at least April 3. "The COVID-19 pandemic has imposed an extraordinary strain on labor relations. Employers aro… Continue Reading
Chairman Scott Remarks on Conference Call on Worker and Patient Safety Needs for the Next Coronavirus Package
03.30.20 WASHINGTON - Today Chairman Robert C. "Bobby" Scott delivered the following remarks on a conference call with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Frank Pallone Jr. on worker and patient safety legislation that must be included in the next coronavirus relief package. "I want to start by thanking Speaker Pelosi, Chairman Pallone, and all of my colleagues who have been working to provide our constituents the comprehensive support they need during this difficult t… Continue Reading
Scott, Neal, Wyden, Murray, Sánchez Call on DeVos to Return All Amounts Garnished from Federal Tax Refunds for Entire 2020 Filing Season
03.27.20 WASHINGTON - Today, Education and Labor Committee Chairman Robert C. "Bobby" Scott (D-VA), along with Ways and Means Committee Chairman Richard E. Neal (D-MA), Senate Finance Committee Ranking Member Ron Wyden (D-OR), Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee Ranking Member Patty Murray (D-WA), and Ways and Means Committee Member Congresswoman Linda Sánchez (D-CA) called on the Department of Education (Department) to return all amounts garnished from the federal tax r… Continue Reading
Chairman Scott Statement on House Passage of CARES Act
03.27.20 WASHINGTON - Chairman Robert C. "Bobby" Scott (VA-03) issued the following statement after the House passed the Senate's third economic stimulus package-the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act)-in response to the COVID-19 crisis. "Today's passage of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, or CARES Act, takes important steps to provide workers access to income, maintain students' access to education, and ensure access to health care for all Americans thr… Continue Reading
Chairman Scott Urges Colleagues to Vote Yes on the CARES Act
03.27.20 WASHINGTON - Today Chairman Robert C. "Bobby" Scott delivered the following remarks on the House floor urging his colleagues to vote in favor of the CARES (Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security) Act. "Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I want to say to the Majority Leader that the hard work we've done is, to a large extent, due to the hardworking staff who have been up late at night doing this work, which usually takes months. It's been just days, but they've been able to put this bill together… Continue Reading
Bicameral Democratic Health Leaders Call for Additional Action to Ensure Cost is Not a Barrier for COVID-19 Treatment
03.27.20 WASHINGTON - House Education and Labor Chairman Bobby Scott (D-VA), House Energy and Commerce Chairman Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ), House Ways and Means Chairman Richard E. Neal (D-MA), Senate HELP Ranking Member Patty Murray (D-WA) and Senate Finance Ranking Member Ron Wyden (D-OR) released a joint statement today calling for additional congressional action to ensure that COVID-19 treatment and vaccines are free of charge for patients as well as new measures to reduce the cost of health insurance… Continue Reading
Bicameral Democratic Health Leaders Call for Additional Action to Ensure Cost is Not a Barrier for COVID-19 Treatment
03.27.20 WASHINGTON - House Education and Labor Chairman Bobby Scott (D-VA), House Energy and Commerce Chairman Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ), House Ways and Means Chairman Richard E. Neal (D-MA), Senate HELP Ranking Member Patty Murray (D-WA) and Senate Finance Ranking Member Ron Wyden (D-OR) released a joint statement today calling for additional congressional action to ensure that COVID-19 treatment and vaccines are free of charge for patients as well as new measures to reduce the cost of health insurance… Continue Reading
Chairman Scott Statement on Introduction of the Take Responsibility for Workers and Families Act
03.23.20 WASHINGTON – Chairman Robert C. “Bobby” Scott issued the following statement after House Democrats introduced the Take Responsibility for Workers and Families Act. “The most effective way to help the American people through this public health crisis is to provide direct, immediate, and prolonged financial relief. The Take Responsibility for Workers and Families Act will give students, workers, and families the support they need and provides substantial funding to hospita… Continue Reading
Chairman Scott Statement on the CARES Act
03.22.20 WASHINGTON - Today Chairman Robert C. "Bobby" Scott issued the following statement after the Senate release the text of the CARES (Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security) Act. "The proposal that Senate Republicans revealed this morning would not provide students, workers, and families the urgent relief they need. Our country needs a stimulus package that puts money into the hands of workers and families, so they can sustain themselves - and the economy - in the weeks and months ahead. H… Continue Reading
Rep. Courtney Introduces Bill to Cover Full Cost of Future COVID-19 Vaccine
03.20.20 WASHINGTON - Today, Rep. Joe Courtney (CT-02) introduced the Rapid Coverage of COVID-19 Vaccine Act of 2020-a bold proposal to ensure a future vaccine for COVID-19 is quickly accessible for Americans and covered by private insurance plans. Under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), items or services that receive an "A" or "B" rating from the United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF), or that are recommended by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practice (ACIP) of the Centers for Dise… Continue Reading