Scott Statement on the Retirement of Rep. Jim Moran

WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Robert C. "Bobby" Scott (VA-03) issued the following statement on Congressman Jim Moran's (VA-08) announcement that he will retire from Congress at the end of the 113th Congress:

"For more than two decades, Jim Moran has been a leading voice on the budget and protecting our environment, as well as a staunch advocate for our nation's veterans and federal employees. He has become a close friend and colleague, especially on budget issues. Jim and I were part of a small minority in Congress last year that correctly pointed out that permanently extending the Bush-era tax cuts would have devastating consequences for the budget.

"As a senior member of the House Appropriations Committee, Jim has been a leader in attempts to protect vital government programs from the draconian spending cuts that have been required to pay for those unaffordable tax cuts. Jim has also been a leader in Congress championing additional funding for PTSD research, treatment and care for our returning veterans from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. He has also been a leader in supporting funding for shipbuilding, which is a critical concern for my district.

"I have especially enjoyed working with him in advocating for more resources for restoring and protecting the Chesapeake Bay, and opposing efforts to allow oil drilling off Virginia's precious coast line. And just last year in the wake of the government shutdown, Jim Moran was leading the charge to ensure that the hundreds of thousands of furloughed federal employees would not be penalized for the government shutdown caused by the obstruction of a small minority in Congress.

"The Commonwealth and the House of Representatives are losing a dedicated public servant and a skilled and thoughtful legislator. I look forward to working with Jim for the remainder of his term and I wish him well on the next chapter in his career."

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