Press Releases
Currently showing results related to Collective Bargaining and Union Membership
Ranking Member Scott Champions Bill to Ensure Unions Reach First Contracts
06.09.26 WASHINGTON - Today, Ranking Member Robert C. "Bobby" Scott, House Committee on Education and Workforce, led support for to H.R. 5408, the Faster Labor Contracts Act. Watch Ranking Member Scott’s remarks on YouTube. Here is a transcript of his remarks: “Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 5408, the Faster Labor Contracts Act, which ensures that workers can quickly and efficiently reach a first contract between a union and their employer. It is also one of the many important provisions of … Continue Reading
Workforce Protections Ranking Member Omar Opening Remarks at Hearing on Misclassifying Rural Health Care Providers
06.09.26 WASHINGTON - Workforce Protections Subcommittee Ranking Member Ilhan Omar (MN-05) delivered the following opening statement at today’s Workforce Protections Subcommittee hearing entitled, “On Call for America: Strengthening Access Through Locum Tenens Providers.” “Thank you, Mr. Chairman, and thank you to our witnesses for joining us today. “Today’s hearing is being presented as a discussion about expanding access to health care, particularly in rural communities. I think it’s fair to say that… Continue Reading
Rep. Norcross Files Discharge Petition for Bipartisan Bill to Speed Up First Contracts for New Unions
04.24.26 WASHINGTON, DC—Today, Congressman Donald Norcross (NJ-01) announced that he has filed a discharge petition for the Faster Labor Contracts Act. The bill will speed up the process of finalizing a first contract between a newly certified union and the employer. “The right of workers to form a union and collectively bargain is crucial to improving wages, hours, working conditions, and so much more. I know because I’ve lived it,” said Congressman Donald Norcross, Co-Founder and Co-Chair of the Congr… Continue Reading
Ranking Member DeSaulnier Opening Remarks at Subcommittee Hearing on Unions
12.17.25 WASHINGTON - Ranking Member Mark DeSaulnier (CA-10) delivered the following opening statement at today’s Health, Employment, Labor, and Pensions Subcommittee hearing entitled, “Ensuring Union Leaders Represent Members, Not Agendas.” “Thank you, Mr. Chairman. And I want to thank the witnesses for being here today. “Let me begin with a simple truth from my perspective: you cannot be pro-worker and anti-union. Workers build unions so they can have a voice strong enough to be heard. You cannot lif… Continue Reading
Ranking Member Scott Delivers Opening Statement at Full Committee Hearing with DOL Secretary Chavez-DeRemer
06.05.25 WASHINGTON - Ranking Member Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03) delivered the following remarks at today’s full committee hearing entitled “Examining the Policies and Priorities of the Department of Labor.” “Thank you, Mr. Chairman. “Madam Secretary, it is always good to see a former colleague welcome back to the committee you served on. It was good to talk to you early this week, and I understand you’ve been in touch with every member of the committee, Democrat and Republican, and that obviously … Continue Reading
Scott, Connolly Statement on Trump Destroying Union Rights
03.28.25 WASHINGTON - Congressman Bobby Scott (VA-03), the Ranking Member of the Committee on Education and Workforce, and Congressman Gerald E. Connolly (VA-11), the Ranking Member of the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, issued the following statement on President Trump’s union busting Executive Order: “This executive order is another example of the Trump-Musk Administration’s war on working people. These two billionaires busted unions in their day jobs and now they’re bringing these same … Continue Reading
ICYMI: Ranking Member Scott Leads More Than 200 Lawmakers to Reintroduce Landmark Pro-Worker Legislation
03.07.25 WASHINGTON - This week, led by House Education and Workforce Ranking Member Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03), a bipartisan group of House and Senate Members reintroduced the Richard L. Trumka Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO) Act, H.R. 20, a landmark proposal to protect workers' right to come together and bargain for higher wages, better benefits, and safer workplaces. Watch the full press conference on YouTube. The PRO Act seeks to strengthen labor laws that safeguard workers’ ability t… Continue Reading
What People Are Saying: Protecting the Right to Organize Act
03.06.25 WASHINGTON - Yesterday, a bipartisan group of House and Senate Members introduced the Richard L. Trumka Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO) Act of 2025 (H.R. 20), a comprehensive proposal to protect workers’ right to come together and bargain for higher wages, better benefits, and safer workplaces. Here is what leading advocates and experts are saying about the PRO Act: American Federation of Musicians: “The PRO Act gives workers essential safeguards against anti-union attacks. The American… Continue Reading
Bipartisan Labor Leaders Introduce Bill to Protect Workers’ Right to Organize
03.05.25 WASHINGTON - Today, a bipartisan group of House and Senate Members reintroduced H.R. 20, the Richard L. Trumka Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO) Act, a comprehensive proposal to protect workers’ right to come together and bargain for higher wages, better benefits, and safer workplaces. The House bill was introduced by the Committee on Education and Workforce Ranking Member Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (D-VA-03), House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY-08), and Representative Brian Fitzpat… Continue Reading
Ranking Member Scott Statement on January Jobs Report
02.07.25 WASHINGTON - Ranking Member Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03) released the following statement after the Bureau of Labor Statistics announced that the economy added 143,000 jobs in January, and the unemployment rate slightly ticked down to 4.0 percent from 4.1 percent. Under President Biden, the economy added 16.2 million jobs. That is more jobs in four years than any President on record. And more jobs than any Republican President, whether they served four or eight years. He has also made hist… Continue Reading
ICYMI: Ranking Member Scott Honors Black History Month
02.03.25 WASHINGTON - In honor of Black History Month, Ranking Member Robert C. “Bobby” Scott, House Education and Workforce Committee, released remarks on the powerful connection between labor unions and civil rights movements. Watch Ranking Member Scott’s floor remarks on YouTube. “Hi, I am Congressman Bobby Scott, and I represent the third district of Virginia and serve as the top Democrat on the House Committee on Education and Workforce. “This Black History Month, we are reminded that the la… Continue Reading
Ranking Member Scott Statement on Nomination of Chavez-DeRemer for Secretary of Labor
11.22.24 WASHINGTON - Today, Ranking Member Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03) released the following statement after President-elect Trump nominated Representative Lori Chavez-DeRemer (OR-05) to serve as the next Secretary of the Department of Labor. Chavez-DeRemer has served on the Committee on Education and the Workforce and was a cosponsor of the Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO) Act. “I wish to offer my congratulations to my colleague Congresswoman Chavez-DeRemer on her nomination to lead the U… Continue Reading
Ranking Member Scott Statement on the September Jobs Report
10.04.24 WASHINGTON - Ranking Member Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03) released the following statement after the Bureau of Labor Statistics announced that the economy added 254,000 jobs in September, and the unemployment rate ticked down from 4.2 to 4.1 percent. Under the Biden-Harris Administration, 16.2 million jobs have been created, and workers have seen their hourly earnings grow by 18.1 percent on average. “Four years ago, the unemployment rate was 7.8 percent. Today, the unemployment rate is 4.1 p… Continue Reading
Ranking Member Scott Statement on ILA and USMX Agreement
10.04.24 WASHINGTON - Ranking Member Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03), House Committee on Education and the Workforce, released the following statement after International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) and the United States Maritime Alliance reached a tentative agreement to reopen the East Coast and Gulf ports. In sum, ILA workers will receive a 62 percent pay raise over six years. “I am grateful that the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) and the United States Maritime Alliance (USMX) we… Continue Reading
Ranking Member Scott Statement on July Jobs Report
08.02.24 WASHINGTON - Ranking Member Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03) released the following statement after the Bureau of Labor Statistics announced that the economy added 114,000 jobs in July, and the unemployment rate rose to 4.3 from 4.1 percent. Under the Biden-Harris Administration, the economy has added 15.8 million jobs. “In the past four years, Congressional Democrats and the Biden-Harris Administration have worked together to prioritize workers and their families and rebuild the economy from t… Continue Reading
In Mammoth Markup, Committee Republicans Push Through Partisan Bills to Fuel Culture Wars, Undermine Students Civil Rights and Right to Form Unions
06.13.24 WASHINGTON - Today, during a full Committee markup of nine bills, Committee Democrats opposed a series of partisan Republican bills that would undermine the welfare of students, workers, and educators. “The[s]e partisan bills we will consider only further the Majority’s extreme agenda and inject divisive partisan politics into our children’s classrooms and college campuses,” said Ranking Member Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03). H.J. Res. 165 would repeal the Biden Administration’s final Title … Continue Reading
Ranking Member Scott Statement on May Jobs Report
06.07.24 WASHINGTON - Ranking Member Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03) released the following statement after the Bureau of Labor Statistics announced that the economy added 272,000 jobs in May, and the unemployment rate ticked up from 3.9 to 4.0 percent. "Four years ago, the world faced an unprecedented global pandemic, which caused the U.S. economy to lose nearly 22 million jobs within just two months. Millions of Americans were struggling to find work, businesses were closing, all of which disproporti… Continue Reading
Ranking Member Scott Statement at Hearing with DOL Acting Secretary Su
05.01.24 WASHINGTON -Ranking Member Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03) delivered the following opening statement at today’s full committee hearing, “Examining the Policies and Priorities of the Department of Labor” with Acting Secretary of Labor Julie Su. “Acting Secretary Su, good morning. “I think it is important to note that your service as acting Secretary has been verified as constitutionally proper by the Government Accountability Office. So, there is no question as to whether or not you are serv… Continue Reading
Ranking Member Scott Statement on the President’s Budget
03.12.24 WASHINGTON - Ranking Member Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03) released the following statement after President Biden released his proposed budget for Fiscal Year 2025. “President Biden’s proposed budget details the Administration’s vision on how we can continue to build an America where everyone can succeed. The budget proposal calls for transformational investments that would grow our economy from the bottom up and the middle out, and lower costs for students, workers, and families. “The Presi… Continue Reading
Ranking Member Scott Statement on President Biden's State of the Union Address
03.07.24 WASHINGTON - Congressman Bobby Scott (VA-03), the Ranking Member of the Committee on Education and the Workforce, issued the following statement in response to President Biden's State of the Union address to Congress. “President Biden spoke directly to the American people about the historic economic progress we have made under his leadership and laid out a vision for the future which stands in stark contrast to the extreme MAGA Republicans’ agenda. Instead of passing tax cuts for corporations a… Continue Reading