Press Releases 2022
February 1, 2022
WASHINGTON, DC – This week, Education and Labor Committee Chairman Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03) sent a letter urging the Department of Education to reconsider the nonprofit status of Everglades College after the Committee found that insiders at Everglades College and its subsidiary, Keiser University, have received millions of dollars in income from services provided to those institutions. The letter describes how the sale of Keiser University to Everglades College, both owned by the Keiser family, and the subsequent conversion of Keiser University to nonprofit status has allowed Dr. Arthur Keiser, the Keiser family, and their related businesses to substantially benefit from Everglades College. The letter further explains why the continued profits that Dr. Keiser, the Keiser family, and their related businesses earn from the operation of Everglades College necessitate a review of the institution’s nonprofit status.
January 31, 2022
WASHINGTON, DC – Chairman Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03) released the following statement after at least six historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) received bomb threats on Monday. This is the second time bomb threats have been made at HBCUs in less than a month. “For the second time this month, bomb threats were made to at least half a dozen historically Black colleges and universities. Campuses were closed, classes disrupted, and HBCU students, faculty and staff once again feared for their safety. These threats are unacceptable. Students attending HBCUs or any other institution must be afforded the opportunity of a safe, learning environment.
January 27, 2022
NEWPORT NEWS, VA - Congressman Bobby Scott (VA-03) announced nearly $2.8 million to help hardworking Virginian families with energy costs this winter through the Department of Health and Human Services’ Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), made available through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. As Americans continue to deal with the inflationary impacts of the pandemic, LIHEAP grantees will be able to use the funding appropriated by Congress, along with funding made available through the American Rescue Plan and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
January 25, 2022
WASHINGTON, DC – Today, the House posted text of the America Creating Opportunities for Manufacturing, Pre-Eminence in Technology and Economic Strength Act of 2022. In the Committee’s jurisdiction, the America COMPETES Act of 2022 includes a historic investment to increase pathways to STEM and computer science education, expand Registered Apprenticeship programs to train more workers, and strengthen America’s economic competitiveness. “The success and competitiveness of the American economy depends on the strength of our nation’s workforce. The America COMPETES Act will connect our nation’s students and workers with the skills they need to succeed in high-tech industries while keeping our economy competitive in the years ahead.
January 21, 2022
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Bobby Scott (VA-03), the Chairman of the Committee on Education and Labor, issued the following statement after President Biden signed the Supplemental Impact Aid Flexibility Act into law: “Most public schools in America are largely funded through state and local property taxes. The Impact Aid Grant Program was designed to assist local school districts that serve students that are ‘federally-connected.’ An example of a ‘federally-connected’ student might be someone who lives on a military base, in affordable housing, or a Native American reservation.
January 20, 2022
WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Education and Labor Committee Chairman Bobby Scott (VA-03) and Subcommittee on Workforce Protections Chairwoman Alma Adams (NC-12), introduced the Black Lung Benefits Disability Trust Fund Solvency Act of 2022 (H.R. 6462). This legislation would extend the black lung excise tax rate, which expired at the end of last year, to fund future benefits and health care for miners suffering from black lung disease. Without revenue from the tax, the Black Lung Disability Trust Fund is at-risk of becoming insolvent at a time when the number of black lung cases is rapidly increasing. A May 2018 GAO report found that failure to extend the tax rate will increase the Fund’s debt from approximately $5 billion to $15 billion by 2050.
January 19, 2022
WASHINGTON, DC —Today, U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-VA), and U.S. Reps. Bobby Scott and Elaine Luria (both D-VA), applauded $369,000,000 in federal funding for a number of key projects, including the City of Norfolk’s Coastal Storm Risk Management project and the Norfolk Harbor Widening and Deepening project. This funding, awarded through the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), was made possible by the bipartisan infrastructure law, which was negotiated by Sen. Warner and supported by Sen. Kaine and Reps. Scott and Luria.
January 17, 2022
WASHINGTON, DC – In a letter to President Biden and Department of Labor Secretary Marty Walsh, Chairman Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03) and Workforce Protections Subcommittee Chairwoman Alma Adams (NC-12) urged the Administration to reverse its plans to remove an emergency workplace safety standard that protects health care workers from COVID-19. The Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS) – which was issued by the Biden Administration in June 2021 – requires health care facilities to take necessary steps to protect health care workers from the grave danger of COVID-19.
January 14, 2022
WASHINGTON, DC – Chairman Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03) released the following statement after the Food and Nutrition Service approved Virginia’s plan to participate in the Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer (P-EBT) program. The program – established by Congress in the Families First Coronavirus Response Act – allows states to provide additional funding for struggling families with children who cannot access free or reduced-price school meals during the pandemic. “This is great news for hundreds of thousands of Virginia families who have struggled to put enough food on the table during the pandemic.
January 13, 2022
WASHINGTON, DC – Chairman Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03) released the following statement after the Supreme Court ruled to reject the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) COVID-19 vaccine or test requirement for employers with 100 or more employees. “While I am relieved that the Supreme Court upheld the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) rule protecting health care workers and patients, today’s decision is a significant setback in our efforts to protect workers from COVID-19 in the workplace.