Committee on Education and Workforce
More on Committee on Education and Workforce
September 14, 2015
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Ranking Member Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03) made the following statement on President Obama’s plan for an earlier, easier process for students to assess their eligibility for federal financial aid. Ranking Member Scott joined President Obama and Secretary Duncan in Iowa for the announcement today:
“The President’s announced changes to the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) will significantly improve access to an affordable college education for many students and families. Starting October 1, 2016, students will have the opportunity to fill out their FAFSA forms three months earlier and include income tax information from two years prior. Through these reforms, more students will be able to qualify for federal financial aid and receive an earlier, more accurate picture of what they can afford. This is a good step forward for students and their families as they plan their college careers.”
September 7, 2015
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Marking Labor Day 2015, Ranking Member Robert C. “Bobby” Scott made the following statement to American workers:
“Labor Day is a time to reflect and celebrate the contributions of America’s workers. Our nation’s workers make our economy and our communities stronger, and we know that when workers do well, our economy thrives.
“Our economy has now experienced 66 straight months of job growth – the longest streak on record. This means that Americans who are looking for work are finding more opportunities to help them get back on their feet. But the reality is, too many families are working harder than ever but still struggling to make ends meet.
September 4, 2015
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03) issued the following statement today after the release of the monthly jobs report by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The BLS announced that during the month of August, 140,000 private sector jobs were added to the economy, and the unemployment rate dropped from 5.3 percent to 5.1 percent:
"The jobs report released today shows that our economy continues to recover from the worst financial crisis in a generation. The private sector added 140,000 jobs in August. That means 66 straight months of job growth, the longest streak on record.
August 7, 2015
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Ranking Member Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03) issued the following statement today after the Department of Labor announced that the economy added 215,000 jobs during the month of July, while the unemployment rate held steady at 5.3 percent:
“Today’s jobs report shows that our economy is still improving, growing and heading in the right direction. With the sixty-fifth consecutive month of private sector job growth, and the unemployment rate holding at 5.3 percent, our nation continues to recover from the 2008 economic recession. Americans are finding more opportunities to get back to work, and put more money into their pockets.
July 28, 2015
Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Mr. Chairman, I rise in opposition to the bill. The REINS Act would create new obstacles to the promulgation of regulations designed to protect American workers' health and safety and to protect the environment.
It would jeopardize the economy by impeding regulations for financial services and throw sand in the gears of government efforts to address growing inequality and prevent discrimination.
Congress already has the right to disapprove any rule through the Congressional Review Act or through appropriations bills or other legislation. This bill would essentially impose a procedural chokehold by requiring that any major rule receive affirmative House and Senate approval within 70 legislative days.
July 8, 2015
Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, more than 60 years ago, in Brown vs. Board of Education, the Supreme Court talked about the value of education when it said that, these days, it is doubtful that any child may reasonably be expected to succeed in life if denied the opportunity of an education. Such an opportunity where the State has undertaken to provide it is a right which must be made available to all on equal terms.
The fact is that equal educational opportunities were not and still are not always available in low-income areas, basically, for two reasons. First, we fund education through the real estate tax, virtually guaranteeing that wealthy areas will have more resources; and just with the give and take in politics, you know that low-income areas will generally get the short end of the stick.
June 25, 2015
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the top Democrats from the House Education and the Workforce, Energy and Commerce, Ways and Means committees issued the following statement regarding the Supreme Court’s decision to uphold a core tenet of the Affordable Care Act in King v. Burwell. Education and the Workforce Ranking Member Bobby Scott (D-VA), Energy and Commerce Ranking Member Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ), and Ways and Means Ranking Member Sander Levin (D-MI) are the lead Democrats on the committees with jurisdiction over the Affordable Care Act:
“Today, the Supreme Court of the United States reaffirmed that the American people, no matter where they live in this country, still have the right to access quality, affordable health insurance. Legal experts had always considered the case attacking the Affordable Care Act to be legally frivolous.
June 18, 2015
WASHINGTON, D.C. — House Committee on Education and the Workforce Ranking Member Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (D-VA) issued the following statement on stand-alone legislation to grant the President Trade Promotion Authority, commonly known as Fast Track:
“As I did last week, I again opposed Trade Promotion Authority because it lacks sufficient safeguards to ensure that labor standards, environmental standards, and consumer protections are respected in partner countries and here at home. I remain concerned that the Trans-Pacific Partnership — the multi-nation trade deal currently being negotiated by the President and the impetus for today’s vote — is not the best course of action for our economy and America’s middle class.”
June 11, 2015
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Ranking Member Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03) today announced the introduction of H.R. 2728, the Youth Justice Act of 2015. The legislation would reauthorize the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act (JJDPA) of 1974, which has not been reauthorized by Congress in over a decade. The bill reinforces federal safeguards for state juvenile justice systems, by renewing education, safety, and prevention standards for our nation’s youth. The legislation is based on S. 2999, a bipartisan bill that was introduced on December 11, 2014 by Senators Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) and Chuck Grassley (R-IA).