Press Releases 2022

WASHINGTON, DC – Education and Labor Committee Chairman Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03) delivered the following remarks during today’s floor debate on the Joint Consolidation Loan Separation Act. “I’m pleased to rise in support of the bipartisan, bicameral Joint Consolidation Loan Separation Act, led in the Senate by my colleague from Virginia, Senator Mark Warner, and led in the House by the gentleman from North Carolina, Congressman David Price.

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Chairman Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03) and Higher Education and Workforce Investment Subcommittee Chair Frederica Wilson (FL-24) introduced the Lowering Obstacles to Achievement Now (LOAN) Act, to lower the cost of college for current and future student borrowers and their families. The new legislation builds on President Biden’s historic one-time student loan debt relief announcement last month to forgive up to $20,000 in outstanding federal student loan debt for millions of borrowers. 

WASHINGTON, DC  – U.S. Representatives Bobby Scott (VA-03) and Elaine Luria (VA-02) sent a letter to U.S. Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro urging him to appoint a Director of Psychological Health at each Navy and Marine Corps installation. “There have been over 30,000 estimated deaths [of servicemembers and veterans] by suicide since 2001,” the letter states.“Each death is a tragedy and together they represent a widespread failing to properly treat, manage, and understand the mental health needs of America’s military personnel. This crisis requires decisive and immediate action, and few incidents demonstrate that urgency more than the recent string of suicides among sailors serving on USS George Washington in Newport News, Virginia.”

WASHINGTON, DC – Chairman Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03) released the following statement after a District Court judge ruled to invalidate several provisions of the Affordable Care Act that govern which forms of preventive care—such as pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for HIV, cancer screenings, and other lifesaving health services—must be covered by health insurers. “For more than a decade, the Affordable Care Act has provided millions of Americans with access to preventive care, such as cancer screenings, vaccinations, contraception, and chronic disease screenings, without having to pay anything out of pocket.

NEWPORT NEWS, VA – Congressman Bobby Scott (VA-03) issued the following statement: “Earlier tonight I tested positive for COVID-19 after experiencing very mild COVID-like symptoms. Per CDC guidelines, I will self-isolate and will follow the directives of my doctor. I am grateful to be fully-vaccinated and double boosted. Vaccines are safe, effective and save lives. I encourage everyone to get vaccinated and boosted if they haven’t yet done so. I will continue working remotely on behalf of Virginia’s Third Congressional District.

WASHINGTON, DC – Chairman Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03) released the following statement after the Bureau of Labor Statistics announced that the economy added 315,000 jobs in August and the unemployment rate rose to 3.7 percent. Today’s jobs report shows that the economy is continuing to exceed pre-pandemic job levels and returning to a steady and stable position. Just over 9.7 million jobs have been created since January 2021, exceeding the pre-pandemic highwater mark by 240,000 jobs. Thanks to President Biden’s leadership and Congressional Democrats’ swift action, our nation’s workforce has not only recovered, but come back even stronger. This is a direct result of the American Rescue Plan Act, which got people back to work safely; the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which is creating millions of good-paying jobs; and the Inflation Reduction Act, which is lowering the cost of everyday goods.

WASHINGTON, DC – Chairman Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03) released the following statement after President Biden announced that the Department of Education is extending the pause on student loan repayment, interest, and collections through 2022, providing up to $20,000 in debt cancellation to Pell Grant recipients and up to $10,000 in debt cancellation to non-Pell Grant recipients, and capping the amount borrowers would pay monthly for undergraduate loans at 5 percent of their income. “President Biden is providing unprecedented relief for America’s student loan borrowers. Today’s announcement delivers on President Biden’s promise to cancel up to $20,000 of borrowers’ federal student debt. Also, extending the pause on student loan repayment will further help get borrowers back on track.

NEWPORT NEWS, VA – Congressman Bobby Scott (VA-03), Chairman of the House Committee on Education and Labor, issued the following statement announcing his support for the Inflation Reduction Act: “The Inflation Reduction Act delivers key components of President Biden and Congressional Democrats’ agenda to invest in jobs and the economy while lowering costs for working families.  This legislation will lower the cost of health care, prescription drugs, and energy for millions of American families.  Medicare will finally be able to negotiate for lower prescription drug prices and lower costs for seniors.  The bill also builds on the success of the American Rescue Plan’s expansion of the subsidies under the Affordable Care Act to lower health costs, which helped us reach the lowest number of uninsured people ever.