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December 4, 2020
Press Release
WASHINGTON, DC – Chairman Bobby Scott (VA-03) issued the following statement after the Bureau of Labor Statisticsannounced that the economy added 245,000 jobs in November with the unemployment rate at 6.7 percent.
“Today’s report signals that economic recovery is continuing to slow as our nation faces one of the worst economic and public health crises in history. As COVID-19 cases and deaths skyrocket in nearly every state across the country, we continue to confront the disastrous impacts of the Trump Administration’s failed response to the pandemic. Let’s be clear: Record-high jobless claims are not a reflection of a successful economy. Just last week, more than 700,000 Americans filed new unemployment insurance claims—continuing to exceed the record-high number of claims under previous administrations (695,000 claims in October 1982). Initial unemployment claims under President Trump for each of the last 37 consecutive weeks have exceeded unemployment claims under any other president in the history of the program.
December 3, 2020
Press Release
WASHINGTON, DC – Chairman Robert C. “Bobby" Scott (VA-03) released the following statement after he was elected the next Chairman of the Committee on Education and Labor by the House Democratic Caucus.
“I am grateful to my colleagues for providing me the opportunity to continue my role as Chairman of the Committee on Education and Labor. It has been an honor to lead this Committee during a critical time in our nation’s history, and to work alongside a diverse coalition of Members representing the interests of students and workers across the country.
Our nation is enduring unprecedented challenges, with widening educational achievement gaps, a deep economic recession, and a devastating public health crisis.
November 23, 2020
Press Release
WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Education and Labor Committee Chairman Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03) sent a letter to the General Services Administration (GSA) Administrator Emily Murphy urging the GSA to grant the Biden-Harris Transition Team access to critical information, services, and resources. “Our country is facing an unprecedented global pandemic that is killing 2,000 Americans per day, and any further delay in an effective government response will have devastating consequences,” wrote Chairman Scott.
November 23, 2020
Press Release
WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Rep. Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03), the Chairman of the Committee on Education and Labor, and Rep. Carolyn B. Maloney (NY-12), the Chairwoman of the Committee on Oversight and Reform, issued the following statement after the Department of Education suspended a new web tool designed to simplify the Borrower Defense application process for individuals who were ripped off by their schools.
November 20, 2020
Press Release
WASHINGTON, DC – On Tuesday, November 24th, Congressman Bobby Scott (VA-03) will host a virtual town hall on health care and the COVID-19 pandemic. Congressman Scott will be joined by public health experts and officials. This will be an opportunity for constituents to learn and get answers to any questions they may have about the Affordable Care Act, open enrollment, new restrictions from Governor Ralph Northam’s office to slow the spread of COVID-19 in Virginia, and other guidelines related to the pandemic.
Issues:
November 19, 2020
Press Release
WASHINGTON, DC – Today, top Democrats in both the House and the Senate introduced the Keeping All Students Safe Act to protect students from dangerous seclusion and restraint discipline practices in school. The bill is sponsored by Congressman Don Beyer (VA-08), Senator Chris Murphy (D-CT), Committee on Education and Labor Chairman Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03), Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee Ranking Member Patty Murray (D-WA), and Congressman Donald McEachin (VA-04).
November 16, 2020
Press Release
NEWPORT NEWS, VA – On Friday, November 13, 2020, Congressman Bobby Scott (VA-03), the Chairman of the Committee on Education and Labor, was the honoree at the Virginia State Conference of the NAACP’s 85th Annual State Convention’s Freedom Fund Gala. Congressman Scott was given the Freedom Fighter Award for his life-long work to advance equity in education and fighting for economic and racial justice.
November 10, 2020
Press Release
NEWPORT NEWS, VA – Today, Congressman Bobby Scott (VA-03) sent a letter to the House Democratic Caucus seeking support for his candidacy to continue his role as chairman of the Committee on Education and Labor in the 117th Congress. “Governing should be guided by the values and aspirations we share – improving the lives of people from all walks of life. Now, as our nation faces one of the worst economic and public health crises in modern history, achieving this goal has never been more important,” said Chairman Bobby Scott (VA-03). “I appreciate the diversity of opinions in our Caucus and am committed to having discussions with my colleagues in order to find common ground on our priorities for the next Congress.”
November 10, 2020
Press Release
WASHINGTON, DC – Committee on Education and Labor Chairman Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03) released the following statement on today’s arguments in the California v. Texas case before the Supreme Court. “As we continue to confront the worst public health emergency in recent history, our first priority must be to protect Americans’ health and wellbeing. Yet, today, in the midst of a global health pandemic, a group of Republican Attorney Generals are arguing to the Supreme Court that the Affordable Care Act (ACA) should
be struck down.
November 9, 2020
Press Release
WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Committee on Education and Labor Chairman Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03) wrote to Departments and agencies under the Committee’s jurisdiction requesting written assurances that during the upcoming presidential transition, it maintains records as required by the Federal Records Act (FRA). In the letters, Chairman Scott notes FRA requires all Departments and agencies in the Executive Branch to collect, retain, and preserve records that document “the transaction of public business” or contain “informational value.”
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In The News
September 7, 2020
In The News
This Labor Day will be marked by messages of gratitude and reverence for America’s workers. Indeed, our essential workers have performed heroically throughout the pandemic.
But America’s workers need more than a pat on the back today — they need the federal government to do its job by providing real support to workers and their families.
Our nation is facing the worst worker safety crisis in recent history. Meat processing plants, prisons, warehouses, grocery stores, long-term care facilities and many other workplaces have experienced deadly infection outbreaks. More than 150,000 health care workers have been diagnosed with COVID-19 and at least 671 have died from the virus.
September 2, 2020
In The News
PORTSMOUTH, Va. (WAVY) — Many schools have started the new year — some in person, but most online. Some colleges are even reworking plans after COVID-19 cases spiked on campus. On Wednesday, Congressman Bobby Scott (VA-03) spoke with parents, teachers and health experts about how to return to school safely. The virtual roundtable discussion featured parents, students, school administrators, health experts and more. Scott kicked the discussion off by saying federal funding is key for school districts to safely reopen, something that would be provided in the Heroes Act, which was passed by the House of Representatives, but is waiting for Senate approval.
August 18, 2020
In The News
NEWPORT NEWS, Va. - Tuesday morning, Congressman Bobby Scott met with Post Master Sharon Parker at the Newport News Post Office. The move comes after the United States Postal Service warned states mail-in votes are in jeopardy of disqualification due to lags in service. “It’s not a local problem. It’s a national problem. We need to make sure the national problems don’t filter down to the local. There have been some areas in the 3rd District where mail has been delayed. We understand that it may be temporarily COVID related and they’re working to fix that,” said Congressman Scott.
July 22, 2020
In The News
NORFOLK, Va. — Via video call, Congressman Bobby Scott (D-Va.) sat down with school principals from across the district he represents to discuss how school instruction will safely proceed in the fall during the COVID-19 pandemic. Congressman Scott represents Newport News and Portsmouth as well as parts of Norfolk, Chesapeake, Hampton and Suffolk.
July 17, 2020
In The News
NORFOLK, Va. - The average school division needs an extra $1.8 million dollars to safely reopen this fall, according to the School Superintendents Association. Local Congressman Bobby Scott is calling on Congress to help cover that expense. "Without federal funding school districts cannot afford the personal protective equipment, soap, the hand sanitizer, the cleaning sanitation services, and many other critical measures recommended by the CDC," Scott said during a virtual round table with teachers on Friday morning.
July 17, 2020
In The News
WASHINGTON (AP) — House Democrats are criticizing the White House for blocking the head of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention from testifying at a public hearing on safely reopening the nation’s schools. Democrats said they invited CDC officials, including director Robert Redfield, to testify at a hearing next Thursday but were rebuffed by the White House. A committee spokesperson said the panel asked for any CDC official to testify but was rejected.
July 8, 2020
In The News
House Education and Labor Committee Chairman Bobby Scott (D-Va.) on Wednesday blasted President Trump's push for schools to fully reopen in the fall despite rising coronavirus cases in the U.S. as a dangerous move that could pose health risks to students and educators. Vice President Pence said earlier Wednesday that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will issue additional guidance next week on reopening schools after Trump criticized the agency's current recommendations as "very tough and expensive."
June 15, 2020
In The News
NEWPORT NEWS, Va. (WAVY) — Congressman Bobby Scott is working on a bill to reform police departments. Scott introduced the “Justice in Policing Act” to House and Senate Democrats last Monday. This comes after the senseless death of George Floyd. While in police custody, former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin pressed his knee into Floyd’s neck for nearly nine minutes.
Issues:
June 11, 2020
In The News
WASHINGTON, D.C. (WAVY) — Congressman Bobby Scott sent a letter on Tuesday to U.S. Attorney General William Barr demanding the Justice Department to enforce the Death in Custody Reporting Act of 2013 (DCRA). The DCRA requires states receiving federal criminal justice grants to report the deaths of individuals that occur in police custody. This includes those who are arrested, in transit to incarceration, or incarcerated in state or local facilities.
Issues:
June 1, 2020
In The News
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congressman Bobby Scott is calling on the government to implement the Death in Custody Reporting Act which would require states to report any deaths during arrests or in custody to the Attorney General.
Pointing the killing of George Floyd, Scott said we’ve again witnessed the “senseless and avoidable” death of an unarmed black man at the hands of law enforcement. Scott said understanding the scope of the problem requires data but charged that the Department of Justice has “repeatedly failed” to implement the Death in Custody Reporting Act.
Issues: