Press Releases
Underwood Introduces Legislation to Protect Americans with Pre-Existing Conditions, Ban “Junk” Insurance Plans
02.06.19 WASHINGTON - Congresswoman Lauren Underwood (IL-14) today introduced legislation with Representatives Kathy Castor (FL-14), Mark DeSaulnier (CA-11), Nanette Diaz Barragán (CA-44), Steven Horsford (NV-4), and Gwen Moore (WI-4) that would help protect Americans with pre-existing conditions by overturning an Administration rule that expands limited duration insurance, commonly known as "junk plans." In August, the Administration finalized a rule that expanded short-term, limited-duration he… Continue Reading
Chairman Scott Reacts to State of the Union
02.05.19 WASHINGTON - Chairman Bobby Scott (VA-03) issued the following statement after President Trump delivered this State of the Union address before Congress. "President Trump's State of the Union - like the first two years of his presidency - largely ignored the challenges facing students, workers, and communities across the country. Access to a quality education, a good-paying job, and affordable health care are fundamental issues for all Americans. Rather than offering credible solutions, the pre… Continue Reading
Chairman Scott Introduces Bill to Protect Coal Miners’ Retiree Medical Benefits
02.05.19 WASHINGTON - Last week, Chairman Bobby Scott (VA-03), Committee on Education and Labor, along with Chairwoman Frederica Wilson (FL-24), Subcommittee on Health, Employment, Labor and Pensions, introduced the Health Benefits for Miners Act of 2019. This legislation would ensure coal miners, who are at risk due to recent coal company bankruptcies, will not lose their retiree health care. "Two years ago, Congress took bipartisan action and upheld the federal government's commitment to protecting re… Continue Reading
Chairman Scott Statement on January Jobs Report
02.01.19 WASHINGTON - Chairman Bobby Scott (VA-03) issued the following statement after the Bureau of Labor Statistics announced that the economy added 304,000 jobs in January and the unemployment rate increased to 4.0 percent. "While today's jobs report shows that our economy continues to grow, it does not account for the damage done by the 35-day partial government shutdown caused by President Trump and Majority Leader McConnell. According to the Congressional Budget Office (CBO), the President's shut… Continue Reading
House, Senate Dems Demand Answers from Secretary DeVos Following Move to Replace Education Department’s Independent Watchdog with Top Department Official
02.01.19 UPDATE: The White House has rescinded their decision to install Department of Education (ED) Deputy General Counsel Philip H. Rosenfelt as the Department's Acting Inspector General. Chairman Bobby Scott: "While I appreciate that the White House has reversed its decision, the unprecedented attempt to replace the Acting Inspector General (IG) with an internal department official raises serious concerns. The IG's independent watchdog role is critical to ensuring the department is held accountabl… Continue Reading
Chairman Scott, Senator Casey, and Congresswoman McMorris Rodgers Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Help Workers with Disabilities Transition to Competitive, Integrated Employment
01.31.19 WASHINGTON - Congressman Bobby Scott (VA-03), chairman of the Committee on Education and Labor, Senator Bob Casey (D-PA), and Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (WA-05) introduced the Transformation to Competitive Employment Act, which provides states, service providers, subminimum wage certificate holders, and other agencies with the resources to help workers with disabilities transition into competitive, integrated employment The Transformation to Competitive Employment Act is legislation designed … Continue Reading
DeLauro, Murray Reintroduce Paycheck Fairness Act
01.30.19 WASHINGTON - Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (CT-03) and Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) today reintroduced the Paycheck Fairness Act, legislation that would strengthen the Equal Pay Act of 1963 and guarantee that women can challenge pay discrimination and hold employers accountable. In the 116th Congress, the Paycheck Fairness Act will be designated H.R. 7. "Women and men in the same job should have the same pay, and the Paycheck Fairness Act is a strong step forward in ensuring that we close the wage … Continue Reading
House and Senate Democrats Unveil Proposal to Invest More than $100 Billion in America’s Public Schools
01.30.19 WASHINGTON - Today, Congressman Donald Norcross (NJ-01), Senator Jack Reed (D-RI), and Congressman Bobby Scott (VA-03), chairman of the Education and Labor Committee, led House and Senate Democrats in introducing a proposal to invest more than $100 billion in America's public schools. The Rebuild America's Schools Act (H.R.865) would fund $70 billion in grants and $30 billion in bonds to help address critical physical and digital infrastructure needs in schools across the country. According to … Continue Reading
Education and Labor Committee Announces Subcommittee Chairs, Assignments, First Four Hearing Topics
01.29.19 WASHINGTON - Today, the Committee on Education and Labor held an organizational markup to appoint Democratic and Republican members to Subcommittees for the 116th Congress. The Subcommittee Chairs and Ranking Members are: Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Elementary, and Secondary Education Chair: Del. Gregorio Kilili Sablan (MP-at-Large), Ranking Member: Rep. Rick Allen (GA-12) Subcommittee on Higher Education and Workforce Investment Chair: Rep. Susan Davis (CA-53), Ranking Member: Rep. Ll… 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
Murphy, Kaine, Mceachin, Bonamici Write Letter Demanding Answers After DeVos, Whitaker End Civil Rights Guidance for School Discipline
01.24.19 WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), a member of U.S. Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, led a letter on Thursday with U.S. Senator Tim Kaine (D-Va.), and U.S. Representatives A. Donald McEachin (D-Va.) and Suzanne Bonamici (D-Ore.) and 62 colleagues to U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos and Acting Attorney General Matthew Whitaker on the Trump administration's decision to rescind Obama-era guidance on school discipline. The guidance was issued t… Continue Reading
Democratic Leaders Condemn Trump Administration Move to Allow Discrimination in Foster Care
01.23.19 WASHINGTON - Education and Labor Committee Chairman Bobby Scott (D-VA) and Ways and Means Committee Chairman Richard Neal (D-MA) released the following statement regarding the Trump administration's decision to allow foster care placement agencies to discriminate using federal funds: "Through today's decision, the Trump administration is endorsing discrimination by giving taxpayer money to foster care entities that discriminate against foster parents based on religious beliefs. Even worse, thi… Continue Reading
The Raise the Wage Act of 2019: What People Are Saying
01.17.19 Here's what experts are saying about the Raise the Wage Act, which gradually increases the federal minimum wage from $7.25 to $15 by 2024. Letter of Support of 362 Organizations, including civil rights advocates, worker advocates, economists, anti-poverty organizations, food banks, faith-based organizations, and others groups across the country: "At a time when wage stagnation and income inequality pose serious threats to our families and our economy, the Raise the Wage Act of 2019 will begin t… Continue Reading
Top Democrats Introduce Bill Gradually Raising Minimum Wage to $15 by 2024
01.16.19 WASHINGTON - Today, Congressman Bobby Scott (VA-03), chairman of the Committee on Education and Labor, joined House and Senate leadership to introduce the Raise the Wage Act of 2019. The bill would gradually raise the minimum wage to $15 in 2024, index future minimum wage increases to median wage growth, and ensure all workers are paid at least the full federal minimum wage by phasing out the subminimum wages for tipped workers, youth workers, and workers with disabilities. The Raise the Wage A… Continue Reading
Chairman Scott Welcomes New Committee Members for 116th Congress
01.15.19 WASHINGTON - Today, Congressman Bobby Scott (VA-03), chairman of the Committee on Education and Labor, welcomed the new Democratic Members who will serve on the Committee during the 116th Congress. "The Committee's Democratic Members reflect a broad cross-section of America. They include health care providers, labor advocates, educators, small business owners, and a former cabinet secretary. The expertise and experience they bring to this Committee will be invaluable in our efforts to ensure Am… Continue Reading
Chairman Scott Statement on Injunction to Protect Women’s Access to Contraception
01.14.19 WASHINGTON - Chairman Bobby Scott (VA-03) issued the following statement after a federal court in Pennsylvania granted an injunction to freeze Trump administration rules that would allow employers and institutions of higher education to deny women coverage of contraception based on "religious or moral" objections. "By issuing a nationwide injunction, the court has taken the necessary and immediate step of shielding workers and students from a harmful and discriminatory policy that would restric… Continue Reading
Democratic Health Leaders Warn of the Threat of Premium Increases, Coverage Losses Due to Trump Shutdown
01.14.19 WASHINGTON -Top Democrats from health care committees in the House and Senate today called on the Trump administration to ensure there are no premium increases or coverage losses due to the president's reckless, unnecessary ongoing shutdown. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and Treasury Department have been left unfunded by the shutdown and are responsible for paying Advanced Premium Tax Credits (APTCs) and other matters that make health care more affordable for American families. "Families a… Continue Reading
Democratic Health Leaders Question Trump Administration’s Use of ACA Marketplace User Fees
01.10.19 WASHINGTON - House and Senate Democratic health leaders sent a letter to Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Alex Azar and Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Administrator Seema Verma today requesting detailed information on the Trump administration's spending of user fees generated by the Affordable Care Act (ACA) Marketplace exchanges, including HealthCare.gov. The letter was signed by Education and Labor Chairman Bobby Scott (D-VA), Energy and Commerce Chairman Fran… Continue Reading
Chairman Scott: GOP’s Latest Legal Challenge to ACA Could Have “Devastating Impact” on All Americans
01.09.19 WASHINGTON - Chairman Bobby Scott (VA-03) delivered the following remarks on the House Floor in support of H. Res 6, Intervention in Affordable Care Act Litigation. "Thank you, Madame Speaker, and I thank the gentle lady from Florida for her distinguished service as a secretary of Health and Human Services, and I thank her for yielding. "I rise in strong support of this resolution. "Legal scholars from across the ideological spectrum agree that this latest challenge to Affordable Care Act i… Continue Reading
Chairman Scott Statement on Butch Lewis Act Reintroduction
01.09.19 WASHINGTON - Chairman Bobby Scott (VA-03) issued the following statement after Chairman Richard Neal (MA-01) reintroduced the Rehabilitiation for Multiemplyer Pensions Act (Butch Lewis Act). "Americans who worked hard their entire lives and planned for secure retirements should not have the rug pulled out from under them. The Butch Lewis Act of 2019 is a bipartisan proposal that ensures retirees receive the pension benefits they have earned. This legislation, in addition to the work of the Joi… Continue Reading