Press Releases
Currently showing results related to Higher Education and Workforce Development Subcommittee
86 House Democrats Demand the Trump Administration Abandon Illegal Plans to Dismantle Civil Rights and Special Education Offices
07.21.26 WASHINGTON - Eighty-six House Democrats called on the Department of Education to immediately abandon its plan to transfer the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS) to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Office for Civil Rights (OCR) to the Department of Justice (DOJ). In their letter, the Members argue that the Trump Administration’s plan to dismantle OCR and OSERS through Interagency Agreements (IAAs) is unlawful because Congress established both… Continue Reading
Republicans’ Advance Divisive Bills That Ignore Affordability Crisis
07.21.26 WASHINGTON - Today, Committee on Education and Workforce Republicans advanced a slate of bills that prioritize partisan political messaging over addressing the real challenges facing America's workers, students, and families. Instead of strengthening workplace protections, expanding educational opportunity, or lowering costs, Republicans voted to move legislation that weakens civil rights protections, undermines workers' rights, and creates unnecessary burdens for schools. In his opening statem… Continue Reading
Ranking Member Scott Slams Republicans for Ignoring Affordability Crisis
07.21.26 WASHINGTON - Ranking Member Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03) delivered the following opening statement at today’s full committee markup of H.R. 8781, 4986, 8747, 8183, 9723, 8660, 8347, 6213, 8775, and 5267. “Thank you, Mr. Chairman. “Mr. Chairman, here we go again—considering a package of bills that may reflect your priorities—but not the priorities of the American people. Americans are struggling to cover the cost of groceries, housing, child care, health care, and others. And gas has again j… Continue Reading
Ranking Member Scott’s Opening Remarks on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Medical Schools
07.14.26 WASHINGTON - Ranking Member Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03) delivered the following remarks at today’s full committee hearing entitled “Training Activists, Not Physicians: The Impact of DEI on Medical Schools.” “Thank you, Mr. Chairman. “Mr. Chairman, today the full Committee is holding a hearing titled by my colleagues, ‘Training Activists, Not Physicians: The Impact of DEI on Medical Schools.’ The three schools appearing before the Committee today were initially asked to respond to concerns … Continue Reading
Ranking Member Scott Slams Republican Markup That Does Not Address the Rising Cost of Living
06.25.26 WASHINGTON - Ranking Member Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03) delivered the following opening statement at today’s full committee markup of H.R. 8476, 4795, 9203, 2555, 5505, 2332, 4122, 8822, 8823, 9381, and 9228. “Thank you, Mr. Chairman. “Mr. Chairman, this Committee has immense responsibility to pass legislation that ensures students receive a quality education, protects workers, and expands access to affordable, quality health care. While I appreciate the bipartisan work reflected in some o… Continue Reading
HEWD Ranking Member Adams' Remarks on Creating Quality Apprenticeships
06.24.26 WASHINGTON - Higher Education and Workforce Development (HEWD) Ranking Member Alma Adams (NC-12) delivered the following opening statement at today’s HEWD Subcommittee hearing entitled, “Workforce Rewired: Modern Apprenticeships for a Modern Economy.” “Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Thank you to our witnesses for joining us today. “Right now, many Americans are facing an economy that just is not working for them. President Trump and Congressional Republicans’ reckless economic policies are forcing w… Continue Reading
HEWD Ranking Member Adams Remarks on Prioritizing Students and Educators Over the Interests of AI Companies
06.03.26 WASHINGTON - Higher Education and Workforce Development (HEWD) Ranking Member Alma Adams (NC-12) delivered the following opening statement at today’s HEWD Subcommittee hearing entitled, “Building an AI-Ready America: Higher Education in the Age of AI.” “Thank you, Mr. Chairman, and thank you to our witnesses for being here today. “Artificial Intelligence (AI) is no longer theoretical. Students are using it. Faculty are using it. Universities are adopting it. Employers are expecting familiarity… Continue Reading
Ranking Member Scott Statement on Workforce Pell Final Rule
05.18.26 WASHINGTON - Ranking Member Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03), House Committee on Education and Workforce, released the following statement after the Department of Education (ED) finalized a new rule regarding the Workforce Pell Grant program. “Expanding Pell Grant access to support students seeking short-term training programs, such as IT, health care, finance, and manufacturing courses, has long been a bipartisan priority. In the 117th Congress, I helped advance legislation to expand access to… Continue Reading
Scott, Adams Demand FSA Leadership Testify about Implementation of the ‘Big, Ugly Bill’
05.11.26 WASHINGTON— Ranking Member Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03), House Committee on Education and Workforce, and Ranking Member Alma Adams (NC-12), House Subcommittee on Higher Education and Workforce Development (HEWD), requested Chairman Tim Walberg (MI-05), House Committee on Education and Workforce, hold an oversight hearing with the Office of Federal Student Aid (FSA) leadership and its ability to serve students and borrowers. In the letter, they detail how mass layoffs and other efforts to ill… Continue Reading
Ranking Member Scott Questions Chair Walberg if He Intends to Hold a Hearing on Young Republicans Antisemitic Activity
05.08.26 WASHINGTON - Today, Ranking Member Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03), House Committee on Education and Workforce, flagged for Chairman Tim Walberg recent reports of antisemitic activity connected to college-affiliated Republican groups. In addition to bringing this activity to the Chairman’s attention, Ranking Member Scott asked Chairman Walberg whether the Committee intended to take any action related to this activity. Ranking Member Scott cited multiple reported incidents, including students af… Continue Reading
Ranking Member Scott Criticizes Education Department for Raising Student Loan Payments and Limiting Access to Higher Education
04.30.26 WASHINGTON - Ranking Member Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03), House Committee on Education and Workforce, released the following statement after the Department of Education finalized a rule titled “Reimagining and Improving Student Education (RISE),” which implements changes to the student loan program that Republicans’ passed in the ‘Big, Ugly Bill.’ “The Department of Education’s final student loan rule will put getting a college degree out of reach for millions of students, particularly for l… Continue Reading
HEWD Ranking Member Adams Defends Students Rights to Free Speech on College Campuses
04.29.26 WASHINGTON - Higher Education and Workforce Development (HEWD) Ranking Member Alma Adams (NC-12) delivered the following opening statement at today’s HEWD Subcommittee hearing entitled, “Speech or Silence? The Future of the First Amendment in Higher Education.” “Thank you, Mr. Chairman. And I want to thank our witnesses for being here today. “Let me start with a point that I think everyone on this dais should agree on. Every student is entitled to the full protection of their First Amendment a… Continue Reading
Committee Republicans Vote to Dismantle the Education Department
04.21.26 WASHINGTON - Today, Committee Republicans forced through H.R. 8210, a partisan version of A Stronger Workforce for America Act. The original, bipartisan and bicameral bill, introduced in the 118th Congress, was the result of months of bipartisan work and nearly became law until it was publicly misrepresented by Elon Musk and pulled from the end-of-year spending package. Instead of continuing this bipartisan work, Committee Republicans advanced a partisan version of the legislation that would c… Continue Reading
Ranking Member Scott Pushes ED to Protect Students in Workforce Pell Expansion
04.09.26 WASHINGTON - House Education and Workforce Committee Ranking Member Robert C. “Bobby” Scott urged Secretary of the Department of Education Linda McMahon to strengthen oversight and accountability in response to the Department of Education’s (ED) proposed Workforce Pell Grant rule, which implements the newly authorized expansion of Federal Pell Grants to students enrolled in certain short-term certificate programs. Ranking Member Scott emphasized that expanding Pell Grants to short-term programs… Continue Reading
ECESE Ranking Member Bonamici Delivers Opening Statement on Rising Costs of Higher Education and Impact of Dismantling ED
03.26.26 WASHINGTON - Ranking Member Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01), Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Elementary, and Secondary Education, delivered the following remarks at today’s full committee hearing entitled “U.S. Universities Under Siege: Foreign Espionage, Stolen Innovation, and the National Security Threat.” “Thank you, Mr. Chairman, and thank you to the witnesses for being here today. “A college degree remains a sure path to the American Dream, and it’s the most reliable engine of economic mobility… Continue Reading
Ranking Member Scott Statement on Workforce Pell Proposed Rule
03.06.26 WASHINGTON - Ranking Member Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03), House Committee on Education and Workforce, released the following statement after the Department of Education (ED) proposed a new rule regarding the Workforce Pell Grant program. “Expanding Pell Grant access to support students seeking short-term training programs, such as IT, health care, finance, and welding courses, has long been a bipartisan priority. Although I did not support Congressional Republicans’ ‘Big, Ugly Bill’ when it… Continue Reading
Ranking Member Scott Raises Concerns about Future of Bipartisan Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act Reauthorization
03.04.26 WASHINGTON - Ranking Member Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03) delivered the following opening statement at today’s Higher Education and Workforce Development Subcommittee hearing entitled, “Building an AI Ready America: Strengthening Employer-Led Training.” “Thank you, Mr. Chairman. And I want to thank our witnesses [who are here] with us today. “A strong workforce development system can provide our workers with the skills they need to succeed, helping employers find the required talent, and pos… Continue Reading
Ranking Member Adams Remarks on College Affordability Crisis
02.04.26 WASHINGTON - Ranking Member Alma Adams (NC-12) delivered the following opening statement at today’s Higher Education and Workforce Development Subcommittee hearing entitled, “Runaway College Spending Meets the Working Families Tax Cuts.” “Thank you, Mr. Chairman, and thank you to our witnesses for being here today. “As this committee’s first Higher Education and Workforce hearing of the year, I’m glad we’re starting by focusing on what is top of mind for Americans across this country — rising … Continue Reading
Committee Republicans Vote to Limit Students’ Access to Reproductive Health Care
01.08.26 WASHINGTON - Today, Committee Republicans voted to limit pregnant students’ access to information on all resources available to them as they pursue their education. “Women should be able to control these decisions. By shielding students from health care information, resources, and rights that are available to them, Republicans are denying them the choice to decide what is best for them and their families,” said Ranking Member Scott. The Pregnant Students’ Rights Act (H.R. 6359) directs college… Continue Reading
Ranking Member Scott Delivers Opening Statement at Full Committee Markup on Pregnant Students' Rights and Human Trafficking
01.08.26 WASHINGTON - Ranking Member Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03) delivered the following opening statement at today’s full committee markup of H.R. 6359, and 4307. “Thank you, Mr. Chairman, and happy New Year, everybody. I hope everyone had a peaceful and joyful holiday season. I look forward to getting back to work to bring down costs and tackle the issues facing Americans. “This morning, we are considering two bills. The first bill fails to provide resources for all pregnant students and jeopardi… Continue Reading