Press Releases
Currently showing results related to Workforce Protections Subcommittee
Ranking Member Scott Votes “NO” on Extreme Republicans’ Anti-Worker, Anti-Union Resolution
01.12.24 WASHINGTON - Today, Ranking Member Robert C. “Bobby Scott” delivered the following floor remarks in opposition to House Republicans’ H.J. Res. 98, an extreme resolution that would undermine workers’ ability to bargain for higher wages, better benefits, and safer working conditions. The resolution would repeal the National Labor Relations Board’s 2023 joint employer rule, which ensures that companies cannot evade their responsibility to negotiate with workers by hiding behind subcontractors and … 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
NEW: 118th Congress Democratic Committee Assignments
01.31.23 WASHINGTON - Today, the Committee on Education and the Workforce appointed subcommittee ranking members, subcommittee member assignments, and a vice ranking member for the 118th Congress. This Congress, Committee Democrats include a diverse group of lawmakers, including educators, labor advocates, parents, business owners, and civil rights leaders. The Members’ experience and expertise will help guide Committee Democrats’ work to ensure that all students have access to a quality education, ex… Continue Reading
Chairman Scott Applauds Biden Effort to Protect Workers and Families from Extreme Heat
09.20.21 WASHINGTON - Chairman Robert C. "Bobby" Scott (VA-03) released the following statement after President Biden announced an Administration-wide effort to protect workers and families from extreme heat. The effort includes the start of a new Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) rulemaking process to develop a workplace heat standard. "I applaud the Biden Administration for launching this critical effort to protect workers and their families from extreme heat. Excessive heat is one … Continue Reading
Scott, Davis Lead Bipartisan Group of House Members to Introduce Bill Protecting Older Workers from Age Discrimination
03.18.21 WASHINGTON - Today, Representatives Bobby Scott (VA-03), chairman of the Committee on Education and Labor, and Rodney Davis (IL-13) led a bipartisan group in introducing the Protecting Older Workers Against Discrimination Act (POWADA), a proposal to strengthen anti-discrimination protections for older workers. They were joined by six Republicans and six Democrats, including Civil Rights and Human Services Subcommittee Chair Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01) and Workforce Protections Subcommittee Chair … Continue Reading
Chairman Scott: Government Watchdog Report on OSHA Enforcement Demonstrates Need for Emergency Workplace Safety Standard
03.02.21 WASHINGTON - Chairman Robert C. "Bobby" Scott (VA-03) released the following statement after the Department of Labor Office of Investigator General released a report on OSHA enforcement and investigations during the COVID-19 pandemic. "For over a year now, I have called on the Department of Labor to issue an enforceable, emergency temporary standard to protect workers from contracting COVID-19. Yet, despite overwhelming pressure from Congress, workers, and public health experts, the previous ad… Continue Reading
Congressional Leaders Push CDC and OSHA to Address Aerosol Transmission of COVID-19
03.01.21 WASHINGTON - Today, Congressional leaders wrote a letter to the Biden administration urging the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to update ventilation and respiratory protection guidance and standards to address aerosol transmission of the COVID-19 virus. In the letter, the leaders praised the administration's science-based approach to defeating the virus but noted that recent expert findings show the CDC's existing gui… Continue Reading
Committee Democrats Introduce Bill to Strengthen Workplace Safety Enforcement
02.18.21 WASHINGTON – Today, Education and Labor Committee Chairman Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03), Workforce Protections Subcommittee Chair Alma Adams (NC-12), Veterans Affairs Committee Chair Mark Takano (CA-41), and Congressman Joe Courtney (CT-02) introduced legislation to strengthen the Occupational Health and Safety Administration’s (OSHA) enforcement of workplace safety laws. The Accurate Workplace Injury and Illness Record Restoration Act would restore… 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
Committee Democrats at Hearing: President Trump Has Broken His Promise to Workers
05.23.18 WASHINGTON - Today, at a Subcommittee on Workforce Protections hearing titled, "Regulatory Reform: Unleashing Economic Opportunity for Workers and Employers," Democrats identified several ways in which President Trump has broken his promise to America's workers. By delaying, weakening, and rolling back workplace protections, his administration is leaving workers even more vulnerable to wage theft, fatal accidents, and workplace discrimination. "Right out of the gate, the Trump administration ro… Continue Reading
Committee Democrats Challenge DOL to Combat Opioid Epidemic in its Workers’ Compensation Program
05.08.18 WASHINGTON - Today, the Subcommittee on Workforce Protections held a hearing titled, "The Opioid Epidemic: Implications for the Federal Employees' Compensation Act." Reducing over-prescription of opioids in workers' compensation programs is critical to combatting the opioid epidemic. The Department of Labor (DOL) has a responsibility to prevent opioid abuse through its administration of Federal Employees' Compensation Act (FECA). Enacted in 1916, FECA provides workers' compensation coverage f… Continue Reading
Committee Democrats Call on OSHA to Prioritize Worker Safety
02.27.18 WASHINGTON - Today, the Subcommittee on Workforce Protections held a hearing entitled, "A More Effective and Collaborative OSHA: A View from Stakeholders." Congressional Republicans and this Administration have taken numerous actions that are jeopardizing worker safety and health protections. Under the current administration, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has terminated or suspended work on nearly half of the proposed safety and health standards that were under develop… Continue Reading
Committee Democrats Combat Effects of Opioid Epidemic in the Workplace
02.15.18 WASHINGTON - Today, the Subcommittees on Health, Employment, Labor, and Pensions and Workforce Protections held a joint hearing entitled, "Opioids Epidemic: Implications for America's Workplaces." American workplaces are feeling the effects of substance use disorders. Studies show that more than 70 percent of employers are feeling the direct impact of prescription drug misuse in their workplaces, ranging from absenteeism and reduced productivity to higher health care costs. "It is no surprise t… Continue Reading
Bonamici: Opioid Crisis Affects Everyone Including Workers, Employers
02.15.18 WASHINGTON, DC - Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR) joined a Congressional hearing on the affect of the opioid crisis on America's workplaces, workers, and employers. Bonamici has hosted community discussions in each of the five counties she represents to hear about the opioid crisis directly from health care providers, social service providers, law enforcement, and people in recovery. You can watch Bonamici's questions at today's hearing here. Studies show that more than 70 percent of emplo… Continue Reading
Committee Democrats Hold Administration Accountable for Miners' Health and Safety
02.06.18 WASHINGTON - Today, the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) Assistant Secretary David G. Zatezalo testified before the Subcommittee on Workforce Protections. Assistant Secretary Zatezalo's testimony comes as rates of pulmonary massive fibrosis (PMF) -- the most advanced form of black lung disease -- are surging among Appalachian miners. Committee Democrats raised concerns that, under the Trump administration, MSHA is not taking the necessary steps to address this public health crisis. … Continue Reading
More than 120 Democrats Urge Department of Labor to Withdraw Harmful Proposed Tip Rule
02.06.18 WASHINGTON - Congressman Bobby Scott (D-VA), ranking member on the Education and the Workforce Committee, Senator Patty Murry (D-WA), ranking member on the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee and 122 Democrats submitted a public comment to Secretary of Labor R. Alexander Acosta urging the Department of Labor (DOL) to withdraw its proposed change to the tip rules. DOL is considering changing existing rules to allow employers to pocket tips of workers, which could result in the… Continue Reading
Scott, Takano, Brown, Murray Introduce Bill To Expand Overtime Pay For Millions Of Workers
11.30.17 WASHINGTON- U.S. Sens. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) and Patty Murray (D-WA), along with U.S. Reps. Bobby Scott (D-VA) and Mark Takano (D-CA), today introduced legislation to make at least four million American workers newly eligible for overtime pay when they work more than 40 hours a week, providing economic security to millions of working families. The Restoring Overtime Pay Act (H.R. 4505) would increase the overtime salary level from $23,660 per year to $48,412 per year, making at least four mi… Continue Reading
House & Senate Democrats Stand With Labor Leaders And Unveil “A Better Deal” For Workers
11.01.17 At A Time When The GOP & Special Interests Are Looking To Scale Back Worker Protections To Maximize Corporate & CEO Profits, Dems Unveil "A Better Deal," Which Would Safeguard American Workers' Freedom To Negotiate With Employers Dems' Plan Would Strengthen Penalties On Predatory Corporations That Violate Workers' Rights, Increase Workers' Abilities To Strike For Workplace Improvements, Protect Integrity Of Union Elections, Use Federal Purchasing Power To Help Expand Negotiating Abil… Continue Reading
Rep. Takano Statement on DOL Appealing Texas Court Decision to Block Overtime Rule
10.30.17 WASHINGTON - Rep. Mark Takano (D-Calif.) released the following statement today after the Department of Labor said it will appeal a Texas court decision invalidating the Obama administration's overtime rule, which would extend overtime protections to millions of middle-class workers. "I share the widely held view that the Texas court decision to block the overtime rule was deeply flawed and jeopardizes the Department of Labor's basic authority to issue rules that protect American workers. In th… Continue Reading