Committee on Education and Workforce

WASHINGTON, DC – Chairman Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03) released the following statement after President Biden announced plans to vacate former President Trump’s executive order on Industry-Recognized Apprenticeship Programs (IRAPs), to repeal the Department of Labor IRAP regulations, and to support the National Apprenticeship Act of 2021 (H.R. 447). “I applaud President Biden’s decision to halt the previous Administration’s wasteful scheme to divert funding away from the proven Registered Apprenticeship system. The so-called Industry-Recognized Apprenticeship Program (IRAP) discarded key features responsible for the success of our Registered Apprenticeship system, including quality standards and worker protections.

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, a bipartisan group of representatives announced the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act – which establishes a pregnant worker’s clear-cut right to reasonable workplace accommodations, provided they do not impose an undue burden on their employer. The Pregnant Workers Fairness Act was reintroduced by Representatives Jerrold Nadler (D-NY), John Katko (R-NY), Lucy McBath (D-GA), Jamie Herrera-Beutler (R-WA), and Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (D-VA).

WASHINGTON, DC – Education and Labor Committee Chairman Bobby Scott (VA-03) issued the following statement after the Biden-Harris Administration opened a three-month Special Enrollment Period for the Health Insurance Marketplaces: “Last month, President Biden and Vice President Harris took a long overdue step to expand access to affordable health care during the COVID-19 pandemic by establishing a Special Enrollment Period for the Affordable Care Act’s Marketplaces. Expanding access to health insurance plans through the Affordable Care Act is one of the best strategies we have to help people get covered during this global health emergency.

WASHINGTON, DC – Chairman Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03) released the following statement after the Centers on Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) published new guidance on safely reopening schools. “The CDC’s updated guidance on safely reopening schools makes a clear case for why Congress must swiftly enact President Biden’s American Rescue Plan. Many schools across the country simply cannot afford to take the safety precautions that CDC recommends in order to protect students and school staff from COVID-19.

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Chairman Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03) released the following statement after the Education and Labor Committee’s advanced its portion of the FY21 budget reconciliation package, which enacts President Biden’s American Rescue Plan. “Our country is at a pivotal moment in the fight against COVID-19. Today, we sent a clear message to the American people that help is on the way. This legislation invests in safely reopening schools, raises wages and increases safety protections for workers, expands access to affordable care, and provides support for the surge of families facing hunger and hardship during this pandemic.

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, House Education and Labor Committee Chairman Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (D-VA), House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Richard E. Neal (D-MA), Senate Finance Committee Chairman Ron Wyden (D-OR), and Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee Chair Patty Murray (D-WA) applauded the inclusion of legislation to protect retirees’ pensions in the COVID-19 relief package. “Among its many devastating consequences, COVID-19 has further jeopardized already struggling pension plans and put millions of hard-working Americans at risk of not being able to retire with dignity

WASHINGTON, DC – Education and Labor Committee Chairman Bobby Scott (VA-03) issued the following statement on the passing of Rep. Ron Wright (TX-06), a Member of the Education and Labor Committee: “The Education and Labor Committee mourns the tragic loss of Congressman Ron Wright. During his time on the Committee, Congressman Wright contributed to our work as a member of both the Subcommittee on Workforce Protections and Subcommittee on Health, Employment, Labor, and Pensions, but he will be most remembered for his lifelong service to his constituents and the people of Texas. Today, we remember Congressman Wright as we grieve for the more than 460,000 Americans who have also lost their lives to COVID-19.

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Chairman Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03) released the Education and Labor Committee’s portion of the FY21 budget reconciliation bill, which enacts President Biden’s American Rescue Plan. Under the FY21 budget resolution passed by the House and Senate last week, the Committee was instructed to propose more than $300 billion in relief for students, educators, workers, and families. “More than a year after the COVID-19 case was confirmed in the U.S., we are still losing thousands of people each day to the virus, millions of workers remain unemployed, students are falling further behind, and an unprecedented number of families are struggling to put food on the table.