In the News

HAMPTON ROADS, Va. - Congressman Bobby Scott is calling for a criminal investigation into President Donald Trump after reports that Trump tried to ask election officials in Georgia to “find” votes for a victory. President Trump is heard on tape pleading with Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, according to a copy obtained by the Associated Press. Trump tells Raffensperger at one point that he wants him to “find” 11,780 votes for Trump. Scott made the call for an investigation on Twitter and claims that "this behavior is a dangerous threat to democracy and warrants a criminal investigation."

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - More than two dozen members of the U.S. Congress on Wednesday called on federal prison and health officials for details about how inmates will be vaccinated for COVID-19, questioning whether the most vulnerable prisoners will have priority access. In a letter to Federal Bureau of Prisons director Michael Carvajal and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention chief Dr. Robert Redfield, 26 lawmakers, led by Democratic Representative Bobby Scott, expressed concerns about the prison system’s existing plan for vaccine distribution.

This Labor Day will be marked by messages of gratitude and reverence for America’s workers. Indeed, our essential workers have performed heroically throughout the pandemic. But America’s workers need more than a pat on the back today — they need the federal government to do its job by providing real support to workers and their families. Our nation is facing the worst worker safety crisis in recent history. Meat processing plants, prisons, warehouses, grocery stores, long-term care facilities and many other workplaces have experienced deadly infection outbreaks. More than 150,000 health care workers have been diagnosed with COVID-19 and at least 671 have died from the virus.

PORTSMOUTH, Va. (WAVY) — Many schools have started the new year — some in person, but most online. Some colleges are even reworking plans after COVID-19 cases spiked on campus. On Wednesday, Congressman Bobby Scott (VA-03) spoke with parents, teachers and health experts about how to return to school safely. The virtual roundtable discussion featured parents, students, school administrators, health experts and more. Scott kicked the discussion off by saying federal funding is key for school districts to safely reopen, something that would be provided in the Heroes Act, which was passed by the House of Representatives, but is waiting for Senate approval.

NEWPORT NEWS, Va. - Tuesday morning, Congressman Bobby Scott met with Post Master Sharon Parker at the Newport News Post Office. The move comes after the United States Postal Service warned states mail-in votes are in jeopardy of disqualification due to lags in service. “It’s not a local problem. It’s a national problem. We need to make sure the national problems don’t filter down to the local. There have been some areas in the 3rd District where mail has been delayed. We understand that it may be temporarily COVID related and they’re working to fix that,” said Congressman Scott.

NORFOLK, Va. — Via video call, Congressman Bobby Scott (D-Va.) sat down with school principals from across the district he represents to discuss how school instruction will safely proceed in the fall during the COVID-19 pandemic. Congressman Scott represents Newport News and Portsmouth as well as parts of Norfolk, Chesapeake, Hampton and Suffolk.

NORFOLK, Va. - The average school division needs an extra $1.8 million dollars to safely reopen this fall, according to the School Superintendents Association. Local Congressman Bobby Scott is calling on Congress to help cover that expense. "Without federal funding school districts cannot afford the personal protective equipment, soap, the hand sanitizer, the cleaning sanitation services, and many other critical measures recommended by the CDC," Scott said during a virtual round table with teachers on Friday morning.

WASHINGTON (AP) — House Democrats are criticizing the White House for blocking the head of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention from testifying at a public hearing on safely reopening the nation’s schools. Democrats said they invited CDC officials, including director Robert Redfield, to testify at a hearing next Thursday but were rebuffed by the White House. A committee spokesperson said the panel asked for any CDC official to testify but was rejected.