Judiciary
More on Judiciary
November 25, 2014
NEWPORT NEWS, VA – Congressman Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-3), Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, Homeland Security and Investigations on the House Judiciary Committee, issued the following statement on the Grand Jury’s decision not to issue an indictment in the shooting of Michael Brown:
“The Grand Jury has spoken. While this is not the legal outcome of the state criminal proceedings desired by the Brown family and many in the Ferguson community, it is important to remember that a federal investigation by the U.S. Department of Justice remains ongoing. There are also civil remedies still available to the Brown family.
Issues:Civil Rights
October 21, 2014
NORFOLK, VA - Today, Virginia Attorney General Mark R. Herring, Congressman Bobby Scott, and Norfolk Mayor Paul Fraim announced a $1 million cooperative effort between local, state, and federal partners to reduce gun and gang violence in the City of Norfolk. The effort will be supported by a $500,000 federal grant from the Violent Gang and Gun Crime Reduction Program and $500,000 of asset forfeiture funds, meaning the funds to fight crime will come from criminals, not from taxpayers. The grant will bring together the Office of Attorney General, the U.S. Attorney's Office, the Norfolk Police Department, and the Norfolk Commonwealth's Attorney's Office to reduce gun and gang violence through strategic prosecutions and data-driven policing strategies, along with an extensive, community-based outreach, education, and prevention effort.
Issues:Education
October 8, 2014
NEWPORT NEWS, VA – Congressman Robert C. "Bobby" Scott (VA-03) announced today that he will host a Youth Gang Violence Prevention Town Hall on Tuesday, October 14, 2014 in Richmond. In addition to other experts and community leaders, Congressman Scott will be joined by Clayton County, Georgia Juvenile Court Judge Steven Teske, who is a recognized national leader on juvenile justice issues. Judge Teske is visiting Richmond Tuesday and Wednesday to work with local juvenile justice professionals and the Juvenile Justice Collaborative on how the Clayton County, Georgia “Systems of Care” approach can work in Richmond.
Issues:Education
October 7, 2014
NEWPORT NEWS, VA – Congressman Robert C. “Bobby” Scott issued the following statement on the U.S. District Court in Richmond overturning the boundary lines of Virginia’s Third Congressional District and mandating the Virginia General Assembly redraw the district by April 2015:
"I was not involved in this lawsuit. However, during the last round of redistricting in 2011, I was a strong proponent of the redistricting plan sponsored by State Senator Mamie Locke, which made all congressional districts in the Commonwealth more compact and contiguous. I hope and expect the General Assembly will more equitably and appropriately balance the influence of all Virginia’s voters, as mandated by this decision, when they redraw the third congressional district and adjacent congressional districts next session."
Issues:Civil RightsVoting Rights
September 25, 2014
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Robert C. “Bobby” Scott, the Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, Homeland Security and Investigations on the House Judiciary Committee, released the following statement on Attorney General Eric Holder’s announcement that he will resign from the Department of Justice upon the confirmation of his successor:
“Attorney General Holder has diligently served as our nation’s top law enforcement official for the last six years. During his tenure, I have enjoyed working with him on efforts to reform our nation’s sentencing laws, protect voting rights, and guarantee the civil rights of all Americans. His leadership was instrumental in passage of the Fair Sentencing Act of 2010, which I sponsored in the House.
Issues:Civil RightsVoting Rights
August 14, 2014
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, House Judiciary Committee Ranking Member John Conyers Jr. (MI-13), Subcommittee on Crime Ranking Member Bobby Scott (VA-03) and Subcommittee on the Subcommittee on the Constitution and Civil Justice Ranking Member Steve Cohen (TN-09) issued a letter to House Judiciary Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte (VA-06) requesting a Congressional hearing on recent incidents of local law enforcement using excessive force—sometimes deadly—and other violations where civil rights have been infringed upon.
Issues:Civil Rights
July 29, 2014
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) introduced a Senate version of H.R. 3361, the USA FREEDOM Act, which ends domestic bulk collection and reforms the government’s surveillance of United States citizens. On May 22, 2014, the House of Representatives passed the USA FREEDOM Act by a vote of 302-121. Senator Leahy’s version of the bill includes a new definition of “specific selection term” that addresses many of the concerns aimed at the House-passed compromise legislation.
“Senator Leahy’s introduction of the USA FREEDOM Act reinforces our commitment to protecting the civil liberties and rights of all Americans.
July 28, 2014
Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the passage of S. 1799, the Victims of Child Abuse Act Reauthorization Act of 2013.
This bill passed the Senate last month and provides important services and funding to protect and heal the most vulnerable of all crime victims: our children.
During their participation in the Federal criminal justice system, it will provide and improve the resources available to assist children who are victims of crime. Child victims will be supported through this often lengthy and difficult process by designated victims' coordinators, specialists, and advocates.
Issues:Civil Rights
July 23, 2014
Washington Post Editorial Board endorses Smarter Sentencing Act, introduced by Reps. Bobby Scott and Raul Labrador.
LIBERALS AND conservatives have learned from the drug war’s failures. More jail time may result in less crime, but the costs can be too high. Harsh punishments often catch street-corner dealers, not drug kingpins. The drug war’s foremost legacy is a skyrocketing prison population; the number of drug offenders in federal prisons has increased 21 times since 1980.
Spurred by this alarming reality, the U.S. Sentencing Commission unanimously voted last week to give nearly 50,000 inmates the chance to reduce their drug sentences. This came after an April decision to lower sentencing guidelines, the advisory rules given to judges, by an average of one to two years for drug-related crimes.
July 23, 2014
Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 5076, the Enhancing Services for Runaway and Homeless Victims of Youth Trafficking Act of 2014. I am honored to have joined my colleagues, Mr. Heck and Mr. Kline, and appreciate their leadership on this important issue.
Our bill makes an important change in the Runaway and Homeless Youth Act so that victims of trafficking can be better served. We know that trafficking and youth homelessness often affect similar populations. Young people that have run away or are homeless are particularly vulnerable to sexual exploitation and trafficking, and programs targeted towards runaway and homeless youth should be simultaneously equipped to support victims of trafficking when there is such an overlap.
Issues:Civil Rights