Press Releases
Scott Introduces Bill to Strengthen Opportunity for At-Risk Youth
09.22.16 WASHINGTON - TODAY, Ranking Member Bobby Scott (VA-03) introduced H.R. 6117, the Opening Doors for Youth Act of 2016-legislation to address the challenges faced by youth, ages 16-24, who are disconnected from both school and work. At-risk young people are commonly referred to as "opportunity youth" because of the tremendous potential they possess. "It is our responsibility to ensure that all of nation's young people have the opportunity to thrive-not just survive," said Ranking Member Scott. "O… Continue Reading
Scott Statement on Oklahoma Supreme Court Decision in Workers’ Comp Case
09.14.16 WASHINGTON - Ranking Member Bobby Scott (VA-03) issued the following statement after the Oklahoma Supreme Court struck down a state law that allowed businesses to opt out of workers' compensation: "This week, a 7-2 majority of the Oklahoma Supreme Court held the Oklahoma Employee Injury Benefit Act, also known as the Opt Out Act, unconstitutional as a special law because it 'creates impermissible, unequal and disparate treatment of a select group' of Oklahoma workers. This model law had drawn… Continue Reading
Committee Advances Bill to Support Youth Opportunity, Improve Juvenile Justice System
09.14.16 WASHINGTON -The House Committee on Education and the Workforce today approved H.R. 5963, the Supporting Youth Opportunity and Preventing Delinquency Act. Introduced by Ranking Member Bobby Scott (D-VA) and Rep. Carlos Curbelo (R-FL), the legislation reauthorizes and reforms the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act (JJDPA) to help state and local leaders better serve at-risk youth and juvenile offenders. The bill passed unanimously by voice vote. "Today we worked across the aisle to p… Continue Reading
House Passes Bill to Strengthen Career and Technical Education
09.13.16 WASHINGTON -Democratic and Republican members of the House Committee on Education and the Workforce today praised House passage of H.R. 5587, the Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century Act. Introduced by Reps. Glenn "GT" Thompson (R-PA) and Katherine Clark (D-MA), the legislation reauthorizes and reforms the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act to help more Americans enter the workforce with the skills they need to compete for high-skilled, in-demand jobs… Continue Reading
Scott Statement on 2015 Census Income, Poverty, and Health Insurance Data
09.13.16 WASHINGTON - Ranking Member Bobby Scott (VA-03) issued the following statement today on the 2015 Census Income, Poverty, and Health Insurance Data: "Today's Census Bureau report shows that median household income is rising and the number of people living in poverty is falling. When President Obama took office in 2009, the nation was in the midst of a severe recession. The President and his Administration took swift action by making key investments to stimulate the economy. Nearly eight years la… Continue Reading
Scott, Warren Highlight GAO Study on 401k Annuity Options for America’s Workers
09.09.16 WASHINGTON - Today, Congressman Bobby Scott (D-VA) and Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), released the findings of a new report by the Government Accountability Office (GAO) they co-requested on the challenges working Americans face in making their 401(k) savings last throughout retirement. Specifically, GAO analyzed whether employers' 401(k) plans provided workers with appropriate options to annuitize their savings-of the plans GAO surveyed, very few of them offered such options. GAO made se… Continue Reading
Members Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Improve & Strengthen Juvenile Justice System
09.09.16 WASHINGTON - Democrat and Republican members of the House Committee on Education and the Workforce today introduced the H.R. 5963 Supporting Youth Opportunity and Preventing Delinquency Act. Sponsored by Rep. Carlos Curbelo (R-FL) and Ranking Member Bobby Scott (D-VA), the legislation reauthorizes and reforms the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act to help state and local leaders better serve at-risk youth and juvenile offenders. "Many children are born into circumstances out of the… Continue Reading
Scott Statement on Republicans’ Multiemployer Pensions Plan Discussion Draft
09.09.16 WASHINGTON - Ranking Member Bobby Scott (VA-03) released the following statement after Chairman John Kline (MN-02) released a plan to authorize a new multiemployer pension system. "As we work through the rest of the 114th Congress, protecting and strengthening the pensions of America's workers and retirees remains a top priority. I appreciate Chairman Kline's continued interest in addressing the multiemployer pension crisis, and I look forward to a thorough review of the discussion draft legi… Continue Reading
Scott Statement on Obama Administration Actions to End the School-to-Prison Pipeline
09.08.16 WASHINGTON - Ranking Member Bobby Scott (VA-03) released the following statement after the Departments of Education and Justice issued new clarifying guidance to colleges and school administrators on the role of school resource officers (SROs) and campus police: "I applaud the actions taken by the Departments of Education and Justice. Evidence and research shows that instead of protecting children, school resource officers are often policing children and creating a direct link in the school-to-… Continue Reading
Scott Statement on Labor Day
09.02.16 WASHINGTON - Ranking Member Bobby Scott (VA-03) released the following statement to workers today in recognition of Labor Day, which is Monday, September 5th: "Labor Day is a time to recognize the incredible achievements of hardworking Americans. It is also a time to acknowledge that far too many people are working harder than ever, but still struggling to make ends meet. America has made significant strides toward economic recovery, with 77 consecutive months of uninterrupted private sector jo… Continue Reading
Scott Statement on August Jobs Report
09.02.16 WASHINGTON - Ranking Member Bobby Scott (VA-03) issued the following statement after the Bureau of Labor Statistics announced that the economy added 151,000 jobs during the month of August: "Today's job report shows that 151,000 jobs were added to the economy and unemployment stands at 4.9 percent. This report represents the 77th consecutive month of private sector job growth, continuing the longest streak on record previously set in April 2000 at 51 months. Today also marks the 42nd anniversar… Continue Reading
Scott Statement on Final Rule for Head Start Performance Standards
09.01.16 WASHINGTON - Today, Rep. Bobby Scott (VA-03), Ranking Member of the Committee on Education and the Workforce, issued the following statement after the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) released the final rule updating program performance standards for how Head Start programs will carry out education, health care and social services for low-income children and their families. The new standards take a holistic approach and update the structure, rules and governance requirements for lo… Continue Reading
Scott, Murray Applaud King for Proposed Title I Spending Rule
08.31.16 WASHINGTON - Today, Representative Bobby Scott (D-VA), Ranking Member of the House Committee on Education and the Workforce, and Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions, issued the following statement after the U.S. Department of Education announced the proposed rule for Title I spending under the Every Student Succeeds Act: "We applaud Secretary King for working with stakeholders to put forth this proposed regulation on the … Continue Reading
Scott, Conyers Ask GAO to Examine Data on Disparities in School Discipline, Student Absenteeism
08.29.16 WASHINGTON - Last week, Ranking Members Bobby Scott (VA-03) and John Conyers, Jr. (MI-13) of the Committees on Education and the Workforce and Judiciary, respectively, sent a letter to the Government Accountability Office (GAO) requesting the agendy to examine data on the disparities in school discipline practices and student absenteeism by school type. Recent studies show a large increase in the use of disciplinary actions and chronic absenteeism in public schools. "According to research, rep… Continue Reading
Scott, Cummings Applaud Final Fair Pay and Safe Workplaces Rule
08.24.16 WASHINGTON - Ranking Members Bobby Scott (VA-03) and Elijah Cummings (MD-07) issued the following statement after the U.S. Department of Labor and the Federal Acquisition Regulatory Council today announced final regulations and guidance implementing the Fair Pay and Safe Workplaces Executive Order. “We commend the Department of Labor and the Obama Administration’s diligent and deliberative process in developing the final Fair Pay and Safe Workplaces rule. This rule will ensure that hardworking … Continue Reading
Scott Statement on July Jobs Report
08.05.16 WASHINGTON - Ranking Member Bobby Scott (VA-03) issued the following statement after the Bureau of Labor Statistics announced that the economy added 255,000 jobs during the month of July. "Today's job report shows that the economy added 255,000 jobs while unemployment holds steady at 4.9 percent. Under President Obama and his Administration, we have experienced consistent economic gains, and this progress serves as a great foundation to continue the work needed to support working people across… Continue Reading
ESSA: Murray, Scott Continue Push to Ensure New Education Law Works for Every Student, Strengthens Equity of Educational Opportunity
08.02.16 WASHINGTON - Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Ranking Member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, and Congressman Bobby Scott (D-VA), Ranking Member of the House Education and the Workforce Committee, sent the following letter to the U.S. Department of Education ("the Department") regarding their proposed regulation on the accountability provisions in the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). Murray and Scott applauded the Department for "balancing ESSA's strong and cl… Continue Reading
Democrats Push For New Standards to Protect Workers from Violence on the Job
07.18.16 WASHINGTON - Today, Ranking Members Bobby Scott (D-VA), of the House Committee on Education and Workforce, and Patty Murray (D-WA), of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions led a bicameral letter to Department of Labor Secretary Thomas E. Perez requesting protections against violence for working Americans. On April 14, 2016, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) released a report outlining actions needed to reduce and mitigate the incidence of workplace violence in h… Continue Reading
Scott Introduces Bill to Simplify the Federal Student Aid Application for Dependent Pell Grant Recipients
07.15.16 WASHINGTON - Today, Education and the Workforce Committee Ranking Member Rep. Bobby Scott (VA-03) introduced H.R. 5784, the File Once FAFSA Act of 2016. The legislation simplifies the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for low-income students by requiring dependent Pell Grant recipients to file just once before going to college and forgo burdensome refiling in subsequent years. If enacted, this bill will make it easier for nearly 3.5 million low-income students to obtain critical P… Continue Reading
House Passes Bipartisan Bills to Help More Americans Pursue Higher Education
07.11.16 WASHINGTON - Today, the House passed five bipartisan bills to help improve access to higher education for students, parents and taxpayers. Collectively, this legislative package includes measures to empower students and families to make informed decisions; simplify and improve the financial aid process; and enhance existing support and accountability for institutions serving minority students. "The bills we passed today are necessary improvements to the Higher Education Act," said Ranking Membe… Continue Reading