COVID-19

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Bobby Scott (VA-03), the Chairman of the Committee on Education and Labor, announced that Virginia will receive over $6.8 million -- out of $20.5 million that is being distributed across three states and the District of Columbia -- from the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) to improve outreach, access and claims processing for individuals with disabilities, those who may need language assistance services, and those in rural communities.  These Equity Grants, made possible by the American Rescue Plan Act, are first-of-their-kind and seek to address potential racial and ethnic disparities in the administration and delivery of UI benefits.

WASHINGTON, DC – Education and Labor Committee Chairman Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (D-VA) and Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ) introduced the No Surprises for COVID-19 Tests Act today, which extends free COVID-19 testing beyond the Public Health Emergency, ensures that patients do not receive surprise medical bills for coronavirus tests, and closes a loophole in the Coronavirus Aide, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act that some providers have used to price gouge for tests.   

NEWPORT NEWS, VA – Today, Congressman Bobby Scott (VA-03), the Chairman of the House Committee on Education and Labor, recognized National Public Schools Week which runs from February 21st – 25th. In the American Recue Plan, Chairman Scott helped secure $ 2.1 billion for Virginia K-12 schools to stay open safely and make up for lost learning time. Nationwide, the American Rescue Plan provided $130 billion for schools to stay open, and an additional $10 billion to help schools conduct COVID-19 testing for students and staff.  “All students should have access to safe, welcoming, and well-funded public schools,” said Congressman Scott. “Thanks to the historic investment from the American Rescue Plan, our K-12 schools are better equipped to safely stay open while navigating the challenges presented by the pandemic."

WASHINGTON, DC – Chairman Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03) released the following statement after the Bureau of Labor Statistics announced that the economy added 467,000 jobs in January. “Despite a surge in COVID-19 infections, today’s jobs report reflects another month of historic job growth. Under President Biden’s economic agenda and the investments made through the American Rescue Plan, our economy has had the strongest year for economic growth since 1984. In 2021, the economy created 6.7 million jobs – more than any other year on record. Americans are getting back to work. 

WASHINGTON, DC – Chairman Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03) released the following statement after at least six historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) received bomb threats on Monday. This is the second time bomb threats have been made at HBCUs in less than a month. “For the second time this month, bomb threats were made to at least half a dozen historically Black colleges and universities. Campuses were closed, classes disrupted, and HBCU students, faculty and staff once again feared for their safety. These threats are unacceptable. Students attending HBCUs or any other institution must be afforded the opportunity of a safe, learning environment. 

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Bobby Scott (VA-03), the Chairman of the Committee on Education and Labor, issued the following statement after President Biden signed the Supplemental Impact Aid Flexibility Act into law: “Most public schools in America are largely funded through state and local property taxes. The Impact Aid Grant Program was designed to assist local school districts that serve students that are ‘federally-connected.’ An example of a ‘federally-connected’ student might be someone who lives on a military base, in affordable housing, or a Native American reservation.

WASHINGTON, DC – Chairman Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03) released the following statement after the Food and Nutrition Service approved Virginia’s plan to participate in the Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer (P-EBT) program. The program – established by Congress in the Families First Coronavirus Response Act – allows states to provide additional funding for struggling families with children who cannot access free or reduced-price school meals during the pandemic. “This is great news for hundreds of thousands of Virginia families who have struggled to put enough food on the table during the pandemic.

WASHINGTON, DC – Chairman Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03) released the following statement after the Supreme Court ruled to reject the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) COVID-19 vaccine or test requirement for employers with 100 or more employees. “While I am relieved that the Supreme Court upheld the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) rule protecting health care workers and patients, today’s decision is a significant setback in our efforts to protect workers from COVID-19 in the workplace.