Committee on Education and Workforce

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Chairman Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03), House Committee on Education and Labor, Chair Patty Murray (D-WA), Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP), and Senator Maggie Hassan (D-NH) released the following statement in response to new guidance issued by the Department of Labor for retirement plan sponsors, fiduciaries, record-keepers, and participants regarding cybersecurity. “The Biden administration is showing they understand there is too much at stake for too many families for us to ignore the reality that cybersecurity and retirement security go hand in hand.

WASHINGTON, DC – More than 75 House Democrats wrote in support of the Department of Labor’s proposals to withdraw two Trump-era rules that strip workers of critical protections from wage theft. The Independent Contractor Rule and the Joint Employment Rule would cost workers billions every year if they went into effect. The Independent Contractor Rule narrowed the Department’s interpretation of who is considered an employee under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA)- thereby narrowing who is eligible for certain protections, such as minimum wage and overtime. According to the Economic Policy Institute, the rule would rob workers of more than $3 billion every year.

WASHINGTON, DC – Chairman Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03) released the following statement regarding the Amazon union election in Bessemer, Alabama. “America’s workers will not have consistent access to free, fair, and safe union elections until we strengthen our nation’s labor laws. We cannot continue allowing employers to interfere with workers’ decision whether or not to form a union. The Senate must pass the PRO Act.”

WASHINGTON, DC – Chairman Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03) released the following statement after the Department of Education announced it is conducting a comprehensive review of the Title IX rule established under the Trump Administration. “Providing students an environment where they are safe and free from discrimination is the most basic responsibility of schools and institutions. It is the foundation that gives all students the opportunity to learn and grow. Unfortunately, the Title IX rule established under the previous Administration eroded key protections for students, weakened accountability for schools, and created widespread disruption for institutions struggling to cope with the impact of the pandemic.

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congressional leaders sent a letter asking Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra to establish a Special Enrollment Period that will allow unemployed workers to maintain access to affordable coverage after the expiration of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021’s (ARPA) COBRA subsidies—which will make it easier for workers to stay covered after losing a job. According to independent estimates, millions of Americans will access insurance through COBRA over the next six months.

WASHINGTON, DC – Yesterday, Representative Bobby Scott (VA-03), chairman of the Committee on Education and Labor, and Representative Cathy McMorris Rodgers (WA-05), ranking member of the Committee on Energy and Commerce, introduced the Transformation to Competitive Integrated Employment Act (H.R. 2373) to provide states and employers with the resources to transition workers with disabilities into fully integrated and competitive jobs while phasing out the subminimum wage for individuals with disabilities. Under Section 14(c) of the Fair Labor Standards Act, employers can apply for special certificates from the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) to pay individuals with disabilities less than the federal minimum wage.

WASHINGTON, DC – Chairman Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03) released the following statement after President Biden released his American Jobs Plan. “President Biden’s American Jobs Plan outlines a bold vision for creating millions of good-paying jobs and protecting the health and well-being of our children, workers, and communities. The Biden Plan will get struggling Americans back to work by making unprecedented and long-overdue investments in programs that are proven to help workers develop in-demand skills that prepare them for rewarding careers.

WASHINGTON, DC – Chairman Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03) issued the following statement after the Department of Education announced it will pause collections and interest accrual on commercially-held student loans under the Family Federal Education Loan Program (c-FFEL) for borrowers who are in default. “Today, the Biden administration took another step to expand relief for struggling student loan borrowers amid the COVID-19 pandemic. While Congress previously paused interest accrual and collections for distressed borrowers with federally held loans, these provisions did not cover borrowers with commercially-held loans under the Family Federal Education Loan Program (c-FFEL).