Committee on Education and Workforce

WASHINGTON, DC – The Peninsula Agency on Aging honored Congressman Bobby Scott (VA-03), the chairman of the House Committee on Education and Labor, with the Award of Prestige. “I am honored to receive the Award of Prestige from the Peninsula Agency on Aging,” said Congressman Scott. “Our local Agencies on Aging are relentless advocates for our community’s seniors. These organizations help provide our seniors with the health services, nutrition, and supportive services they need, which makes them less likely to suffer illness and injury, less likely to incur expensive hospital visits, and more likely to live independently.

WASHINGTON, DC – Chairman Bobby Scott (VA-03) delivered the following remarks during the floor debate for the H.R. 987 – Strengthening Health Care and Lowering Prescription Drug Costs Act. “Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I yield myself as much time as I may consume. I rise today in support of this bill to improve access to quality health coverage, protect the Affordable Care Act, and cut prescription drug costs for consumers. “Unfortunately, Mr. Speaker, the administration has consistently undermined the quality, affordable coverage that Americans have come to expect. “House Republicans passed a bill last year that CBO concluded would provide coverage for over 20 million fewer people, would increase premiums by 20 percent the first year, would cover less, and would jeopardize protections for those with pre-existing conditions.

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Representatives Jerrold Nadler (D-NY), John Katko (R-NY), Lucy McBath (D-GA), Jaime Herrera Beutler (R-WA), and Bobby Scott (D-VA) reintroduced the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act, legislation that would protect pregnant workers from workplace discrimination. The Pregnant Workers Fairness Act would address legal ambiguities and help ensure that pregnant women are treated fairly on the job. The legislation, which is closely modeled after the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), would require employers to make reasonable accommodations—such as a minor job modification—that would allow pregnant workers to continue working and prevent them from being forced out on leave or out of their jobs. The bill also prohibits employers from denying employment opportunities to women based on their need for reasonable accommodations related to pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions.

WASHINGTON, DC – Chairman Bobby Scott (VA-03) and Ranking Member Virginia Foxx (NC-05) released the following joint statement after the White House summit on surprise medical billing. “Last month, this Committee held the first-ever congressional hearing on surprise medical billing. That discussion revealed bipartisan support for a solution that protects patients and their families from the financial and emotional harm of unexpected out-of-pocket health care costs. We remain committed to working across the aisle to advance legislation that achieves our shared goal of shielding Americans from surprise medical bills.”

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, House and Senate Democrats introduced the Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO) Act—comprehensive legislation to strengthen protections for workers’ right to organize a union and bargain for higher wages, better benefits, and safer working conditions. As wage inequality continues to leave workers and middle-class families behind, this legislation would empower millions of Americans to stand together and ensure hardworking people are getting their fair share of economic growth. A recent study published in the National Bureau of Economic Research found that unions have consistently provided workers with a 10- to 20-percent wage boost over their non-union counterparts over the past eight decades.

WASHINGTON, DC – Chairman Bobby Scott (VA-03), Committee on Education and Labor, and Chairman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06), Committee on Energy and Commerce, issued the following joint statement after the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) released a final rule that would deny patients necessary and lifesaving health care based on religious beliefs and erode nondiscrimination protections: “Today’s final rule, along with the expected release of a second rule that would undermine health care rights under the Affordable Care Act, will add to the Trump administration’s continued attacks on patient access to health care by allowing hospitals, doctors, and anyone involved in the provision of health care to deny care to patients based on any personal belief.

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, four Democrats and four Republicans on the Committee on Education and Labor introduced H.R. 2480, legislation to strengthen federal efforts to prevent and treat child abuse. The Stronger Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (Stronger CAPTA) is a bold, bipartisan response to combat the rising rates of child maltreatment experienced as the opioid crisis has devastated families and communities across the country. The four Democratic co-sponsors are Rep. Kim Schrier, M.D. (WA-08), Rep. Lori Trahan (MA-03), Civil Rights and Human Services Subcommittee Chairwoman Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01), and Chairman Bobby Scott (VA-03).