Press Releases
Currently showing results related to Supporting Teachers and School Leaders
House Democrats Applaud the Biden Administration’s Proposal to Raise Wages for Child Care Workforce
01.23.24 WASHINGTON - Education and the Workforce Committee Ranking Member Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (D-VA), and 31 House Democrats applauded the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) proposal to raise wages for Head Start workforce and better support children and families. “We can no longer stand by as dedicated and qualified early childhood educators leave Head Start programs due to unacceptably low wages, while families struggle to find quality, affordable child care and early education o… Continue Reading
Ranking Member Scott Announces New Funding to Support Virginia School Infrastructure Investments
01.04.24 WASHINGTON - The Biden-Harris Administration announced eight new grant awards today totaling more than $37 million over five years under the Supporting America’s School Infrastructure (SASI) program and one new grant for $10 million over five years under the National Center on School Infrastructure (NCSI) program. This $47 million investment, issued by the U.S. Department of Education (Department), bolsters the capacity of states to support school districts in improving school facilities with th… Continue Reading
Scott Op-Ed: Youngkin finally dedicated significant funding to combat learning loss. What took him so long?
11.07.23 WASHINGTON - Congressman Bobby Scott (VA-03), Ranking Member of the House Committee on Education and the Workforce, wrote the following op-ed for the Richmond Times-Dispatch on Governor Youngkin’s ALL IN VA initiative. “In September, Gov. Glenn Youngkin announced over $400 million to initiate a plan to address the learning loss that our students continue to suffer due to the COVID-19 pandemic. If implemented properly, this plan could build on the work that schools should already be doing — such… Continue Reading
What People Are Saying: The Rebuild America’s Schools Act
08.01.23 WASHINGTON - Last week, Ranking Member Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (D-VA), House Committee on Education and the Workforce, and Representative Donald Norcross (NJ-01) introduced the Rebuild America’s Schools Act (RASA) of 2023. Advocates and experts agree that this legislation would take key steps to ensure that schools are safe environments to learn and work. Here's what they're saying: [Re]Build America’s School Infrastructure Coalition (BASIC) Executive Director Ally Talcott: “We applaud and are … Continue Reading
Education Leaders Propose Bill to Rebuild America’s Public Schools
07.27.23 WASHINGTON - Today, House Committee on Education and the Workforce Ranking Member Robert C. "Bobby" Scott (VA-03) and Representative Donald Norcross (NJ-01) introduced the Rebuild America’s Schools Act of 2023. The legislation invests more than $130 billion in our schools’ physical and digital infrastructure, and the resources are targeted at high-poverty schools with facilities that pose health and safety risks to students and staff. “Chronic neglect of America’s public schools has forced stud… Continue Reading
NEW: Government Watchdog Report Highlights Importance of Monitoring and Improving Americans’ 403(b) Retirement Plans
07.24.23 WASHINGTON - Today, Ranking Member Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03) released a new report from the Government Accountability Office (GAO), which underscores the importance of monitoring 403(b) retirement plans in which millions of teachers and non-profit employees invest. The report also highlights several innovative ideas and state-based efforts to improve 403(b) plans. The new GAO report comes as House Republicans advance a budget that proposes a $38 million funding cut for the Employee Benef… Continue Reading
Ranking Member Scott Leads Opposition to Extreme MAGA Republican Bill to Threaten Education Funding, Fuel Culture Wars
07.19.23 WASHINGTON - Today, extreme MAGA Republicans in the House voted to pass their Scapegoating Not Solutions Act, a mean-spirited proposal that threatens to take away education funding from a school if any its facilities are used to temporarily house asylum seekers and undocumented immigrants. Republican politicians falsely claim this bill is intended to keep students safe and address learning loss. Regrettably, this resolution does neither of those things. View Ranking Member Scott’s floor rem… Continue Reading
Despite Internal Opposition, Republicans Force Through Anti-Student, Parent, and Educator Legislation
03.24.23 WASHINGTON - Today, House Republicans advanced the Politics Over Parents Act (H.R. 5) despite opposition from parents, students, educators, and members of their own party. Moreover, Republicans unilaterally rejected the Democratic alternative offered by ECESE Subcommittee Ranking Member Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01). The Democrats’ alternative would have: Prevented schools from banning books; Created a designated parent coordinator at every public school; Increased funding for statewide family… Continue Reading
WATCH: Ranking Member Scott Leads Fight Against Anti-Student, Parent, Educator Legislation
03.23.23 WASHINGTON - Education and the Workforce Committee Ranking Member Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03) delivered the following remarks during today’s floor debate on H.R. 5, the Politics Over Parents Act. View Ranking Member Scott’s floor remarks on YouTube. "First, let me be clear: House Democrats believe parental engagement is central to student success. Parental engagement in schools is closely linked to better student behavior, higher academic achievement, and enhanced social skills. "Unfor… Continue Reading
What People Are *Actually* Saying About Extreme MAGA Republicans’ “Politics over Parents” Bill (H.R. 5)
03.22.23 WASHINGTON - Today, the House of Representatives will consider Republican legislation that would undermine public education under the guise of 'parental rights.' Experts and advocates for students, parents, and teachers agree that this proposal would only further politicize classrooms and jeapordize support for public education while doing nothing to increase real parental partnership with schools. Here’s what they are saying about Republicans’ so-called Parents Bill of Rights Act: Secretary of… Continue Reading
Under the Cloak of Darkness, Republicans Force Through Anti-Student, Parent, and Educator Legislation
03.09.23 WASHINGTON - Democrats showed up for work today and introduced legislation to meet the real challenges facing students, parents, and educators. Committee Republicans played political games and voted against 25+ good-faith efforts to help students succeed. “We all agree that parental engagement is essential for student success, and that Congress has a role in promoting students’ participation in sports. Unfortunately, neither of the bills before us today addresses the real challenges facing… Continue Reading
Ranking Member Opening Statement at Markup of Legislation to Politicize Schools, Discriminate Against Trans Athletes
03.08.23 WASHINGTON - Ranking Member Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03) delivered the following opening statement at today’s full committee markup of H.R. 5, the Parents Bill of Rights Act, and H.R. 734, the Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act of 2023. “Thank you, Dr. Foxx, and good morning. “Madam Chair, we all agree that parental engagement is essential for student success, and that Congress has a role in promoting students’ participation in sports. Unfortunately, neither of the bills before us … Continue Reading
Ranking Member Scott: “Politics Should Never Prevent a Student from Receiving a High-Quality Education”
03.01.23 WASHINGTON - Ranking Member Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03) released the following statement in response to recent House Republican proposal to undermine public K-12 schools under the guise of parents’ rights. “Politics should never prevent a student from receiving a high-quality education. Regrettably, Republican politicians want to turn classrooms into the epicenter of an extreme culture war while doing nothing to meaningfully help students get back on track. In fact, every Congressional Repu… Continue Reading
Chairman Scott Calls on States to Stop Sabotaging Safe School Reopening Efforts
08.19.21 WASHINGTON - Today, House Education and Labor Committee Chairman Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03) issued the following statement in response to eight states banning schools from implementing mandatory mask policies to protect students, educators, and families from COVID-19. “As we begin another school year under the cloud of a pandemic, policymakers must be laser-focused on helping school districts reopen safely and stay open safely. Through the American Rescue … Continue Reading
Chairman Scott Praises Biden Administration’s School Reopening Roadmap
08.02.21 WASHINGTON - Today, House Education and Labor Committee Chairman Robert C. "Bobby" Scott (VA-03) issued the following statement after the Biden-Harris Administration released a School Reopening Roadmap to help schools reopen safely for in-person instruction. "Getting students back into the classroom safely is one of the most important things we can do for children and families across the country. I applaud the Biden Administration for issuing clear and comprehensive guidance to help schools re… Continue Reading
In Secretary Devos’s First Appearance Before the Committee, Democrats Seek Answers on Conflicts of Interest, Support for For-Profit Colleges, and Attacks on Civil Rights
05.22.18 WASHINGTON - Today, in Secretary Betsy DeVos's first appearance before the Committee in her 16 months in office, Committee Democrats expressed deep concerns about the Department of Education's support for for-profit education, its numerous apparent conflicts of interest, and its efforts to undermine students' civil rights in schools and campuses across the country. Members used the rare opportunity to question Secretary DeVos to seek explanations for the Department's agenda, which has undermin… Continue Reading
As Teacher Marches And Protests Sweep The Country, House & Senate Democratic Leaders Unveil New “Better Deal” Proposal To Provide Major Boost In Teacher Pay And Make Investments In America’s Schools
05.22.18 Washington, DC - Today House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Congressman Bobby Scott (D-VA), and Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), joined by Randi Weingarten, President of the American Federation of Teachers and Lily Eskelsen Garcia, President of the National Education Association, unveiled another critical tenet of their economic agenda, "A Better Deal." The proposal invests in the future of education by ensuring that teacher pay is boosted, sch… Continue Reading
Scott Statement on Nomination of Betsy DeVos as Education Secretary
11.23.16 WASHINGTON - Ranking Member Bobby Scott (VA-03) issued the following statement after President-elect Donald Trump selected Betsy DeVos as his nominee to lead the U.S. Department of Education. "I congratulate Betsy DeVos on her nomination to lead the Department of Education. I hope to work with her to ensure all students have access to safe, diverse, high-quality public schools. The Department has a legacy of protecting and promoting the civil rights of students, and I will work diligently to … Continue Reading
Davis, Scott, 10 Committee Members Introduce Bill to Strengthen Teacher Recruitment and Retention
10.04.16 WASHINGTON - Last week, Rep. Susan Davis (CA-53) introduced H.R. 6236, the Innovations to Recruit and Retain Excellent Teachers Act, legislation that will empower school districts to develop targeted recruitment and retention strategies ensuring that all students, regardless of their socioeconomic status, are taught by an excellent, well-supported, and diverse teacher workforce. The bill is co-sponsored by Ranking Member Bobby Scott (VA-03) and 10 other members of the Committee on Education and … Continue Reading
Committee Democrats Urge National Attention to Increase Teacher Diversity
02.10.16 WASHINGTON - Today, Ranking Member Robert C. "Bobby" Scott (VA-03), Representative Susan Davis (CA-53), Member of the Subcommittee on Higher Education and Workforce Training, and Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Elementary and Secondary Education, Representative Raúl Grijalva (AZ-03), Representative Rubén Hinojosa (TX-15), Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Higher Education and Workforce Training and Mark Takano (CA-41), Member of Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Elementary and … Continue Reading