Press Releases

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Ranking Member Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03) issued the following statement on the 359-64 passage of S.1177, the Every Student Succeeds Act – a bill to reauthorize the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) and replace No Child Left Behind: “Today’s bipartisan vote to reauthorize the ESEA affirms the principles of Brown v. Board of Education, which held that ‘it is doubtful that any child may reasonably be expected to succeed in life if he is denied the opportunity of an education,’ and ‘that such an opportunity is a right which must be made available to all on equal terms.’

RICHMOND, VA – Tomorrow, Congressman Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-3) and Congressman Dave Brat (VA-7) will join other volunteers at the Central Virginia Food Bank to help accept, sort, and pack food donations for the holiday season.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03) issued the following statement on his opposition to H.R. 4038, the American SAFE Act of 2015, which would effectively stop the admission of properly vetted Syrian and Iraqi refugees into the United States: “Our nation continues to stand with the people of France in the wake of last week’s horrific terrorist attacks in Paris, and we must be vigilant in ensuring that a similar attack does not happen on our shores. Unfortunately, the bill considered in the House of Representatives today preys on the fear of the American people and would unjustly shut out the most vulnerable Syrians and Iraqis fleeing from the unimaginable violence overrunning their countries.

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, President Barack Obama named Dr. Katherine G. Johnson of Hampton, Virginia, a longtime employee at the NASA Langley Research Center, a recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom. The Presidential Medal of Freedom is one of our Nation’s highest civilian honors, and is presented to individuals who have made especially meritorious contributions to the security or the national interests to the United States, to world peace, or to cultural or other significant public or private endeavors. The award will be formally presented at the White House on November 24, 2015. “I am extremely pleased that President Obama has named Dr. Katherine Goble Johnson a recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom, one of nation’s highest civilian honors. “It was apparent from early on that Dr. Johnson was driven to succeed and after overcoming adversity and institutional racism to graduate from high school at 14 and from West Virginia State University at 18. Following further studies in mathematics and physics, she found a career in education.

RICHMOND, VA – Congressman Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03) issued the following statement in commemoration of Veterans Day: “Veterans Day is a time to honor our men and women who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces, to demonstrate our appreciation for the sacrifices our veterans have made, and to promote peace so that their sacrifices will not have been in vain. “And while we spend this day saluting their service, we must recommit ourselves to ensure that when our veterans return home, they are cared for and are able to successfully transition back into civilian life. We can do this by making sure that the Department of Veterans Affairs is held accountable and has the necessary resources to recruit and hire the best doctors, specialists and nurses to meet increased demand.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Rep. Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03), Ranking Member of the House Committee on Education and the Workforce, issued the following statement today celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Higher Education Act, which was signed into law by President Lyndon B. Johnson on November 8, 1965: “Fifty years ago, President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the Higher Education Act (HEA) into law. HEA was a key component of the ‘Great Society’, and its goal was and is to provide a pathway to the middle class for millions of families around the country by making college affordable and accessible to everyone, not just the elite. “As President Johnson said as he signed HEA into law, ‘[This] means that a high school senior, anywhere in this great land of ours, can apply to any college or any university in any of the 50 states and not be turned away because his family is poor.’

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Virginia’s congressional delegation is urging President Obama to support funding to expand the Port of Virginia. In a bipartisan letter signed by U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-VA) and U.S. Reps. Bob Goodlatte (R-VA), Bobby Scott (D-VA), Randy Forbes (R-VA), Rob Wittman (R-VA), Gerry Connolly (D-VA), Robert Hurt (R-VA), Scott Rigell (R-VA), Dave Brat (R-VA), Don Beyer (D-VA) and Barbara Comstock (R-VA), the members urged the Administration to support funds for a project to expand the current dredge fill facility at Craney Island in Hampton Roads and allow for a marine terminal on site that will nearly double the cargo capacity of the Port.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – This week, Representatives Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03) and Randy Forbes (VA-04) offered an amendment to H.R. 22, the Surface Transportation Reauthorization and Reform Act, urging the U.S. Department of Transportation to utilize modeling and simulation technology to ensure that federally funded transportation projects will increase transportation capacity and safety, alleviate congestion, reduce travel time and environmental impact, and are as cost effective as practicable. The Scott-Forbes Amendment passed by voice vote.