Press Releases
September 9, 2015
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Representatives Jim Sensenbrenner (R-WI) and Bobby Scott (D-VA) will host a briefing tomorrow with prosecutors, police and public safety professionals on why prison and sentencing reform will make our communities safer. H.R. 2944, the Safe, Accountable, Fair, and Effective (SAFE) Justice Act was introduced earlier this summer by Representatives Sensenbrenner and Scott. The SAFE Justice Act takes a broad-based approach to improving the federal sentencing and corrections system, from front-end sentencing reform to back-end release policies. It is also the first bill that addresses the federal supervision system – ensuring that probation does a better job stopping the revolving door at federal prisons.
Issues:Civil Rights
September 7, 2015
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Marking Labor Day 2015, Ranking Member Robert C. “Bobby” Scott made the following statement to American workers:
“Labor Day is a time to reflect and celebrate the contributions of America’s workers. Our nation’s workers make our economy and our communities stronger, and we know that when workers do well, our economy thrives.
“Our economy has now experienced 66 straight months of job growth – the longest streak on record. This means that Americans who are looking for work are finding more opportunities to help them get back on their feet. But the reality is, too many families are working harder than ever but still struggling to make ends meet.
September 4, 2015
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03) issued the following statement today after the release of the monthly jobs report by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The BLS announced that during the month of August, 140,000 private sector jobs were added to the economy, and the unemployment rate dropped from 5.3 percent to 5.1 percent:
"The jobs report released today shows that our economy continues to recover from the worst financial crisis in a generation. The private sector added 140,000 jobs in August. That means 66 straight months of job growth, the longest streak on record.
September 3, 2015
NEWPORT NEWS, VA – Congressman Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03) issued the following statement announcing his support for the P5+1 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, commonly referred to as the Iran nuclear agreement:
“This month, Congress will be voting on a resolution of disapproval of the Iran nuclear agreement, which, if enacted, would deny the President the authority to waive certain sanctions against Iran. After careful deliberation, I have decided to support the Iran nuclear agreement and will vote against a resolution of disapproval.
“This agreement took years of careful negotiations between Iran, the United States, Russia, China, the United Kingdom, France and Germany. It has been heralded as an unprecedented, landmark agreement for nuclear non-proliferation and was immediately endorsed by a unanimous vote of the United Nations Security Council.
August 19, 2015
RICHMOND, VA – Congressman Robert C. "Bobby" Scott (VA-03) issued the following statement on the passing of former Congressman Louis Stokes of Ohio:
“I was deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Louis Stokes. As the first African-American member of Congress from the state of Ohio and as a founding member of the Congressional Black Caucus, Lou Stokes was a trailblazer in public service. He was well respected for his three decades of service in Congress, especially for his work towards quality health care for all. My thoughts and prayers are with the Stokes family and the many people positively impacted by Congressman Stokes’ work.”
August 18, 2015
NEWPORT NEWS, VA – Today, Congressman Robert C. “Bobby” Scott announced that he will be given a tour of the Newport News City Jail by Sheriff G. Morgan on Tuesday, August 18, 2015 at 1:00 pm. The Newport News jail tour will highlight the need for improvements and investments into the facility which currently provides assistance to inmates with substance abuse and mental health issues.
Issues:Civil Rights
August 7, 2015
NEWPORT NEWS, VA – Congressman Robert C. “Bobby” Scott will be hosting town hall meetings in Charles City County on Monday, August 17, 2015 and Surry County on Tuesday, August 18, 2015. Congressman Scott will provide a brief update on issues before Congress and then answer questions and listen to comments from constituents. This event is free and open to the public.
August 7, 2015
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Ranking Member Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03) issued the following statement today after the Department of Labor announced that the economy added 215,000 jobs during the month of July, while the unemployment rate held steady at 5.3 percent:
“Today’s jobs report shows that our economy is still improving, growing and heading in the right direction. With the sixty-fifth consecutive month of private sector job growth, and the unemployment rate holding at 5.3 percent, our nation continues to recover from the 2008 economic recession. Americans are finding more opportunities to get back to work, and put more money into their pockets.
August 6, 2015
NEWPORT NEWS, VA – Today, Congressman Robert C. “Bobby” Scott announced that he will host Criminal Justice Reform forums in Richmond on Monday, August 10th and in Norfolk on Tuesday, August 11th. Congressman Scott will be joined by law enforcement officials, judges, and other criminal justice experts. These events are free and open to the public. In addition to hearing from experts in the criminal justice field, Congressman Scott will also discuss H.R. 2944, the Safe, Accountable, Fair, and Effective (SAFE) Justice Act, legislation that he introduced earlier this summer with Congressman Jim Sensenbrenner (R-WI). The SAFE Justice Act takes a broad-based approach to improving the federal sentencing and corrections system, from front-end sentencing reform to back-end release policies. It is also the first bill that addresses the federal supervision system – ensuring that probation does a better job stopping the revolving door at federal prisons.
Issues:Civil Rights
August 6, 2015
NEWPORT NEWS, VA – Congressman Robert C. "Bobby" Scott released the following statement on the 50th anniversary of President Lyndon B. Johnson signing into law the Voting Rights Act of 1965:
"The Voting Rights Act was one of the most consequential pieces of legislation of the Civil Rights Movement. The right to vote is the very foundation of our democracy. The Supreme Court noted in their 1964 decision in Wesberry v. Sanders that ‘no right is more precious in a free country than that of having a voice in the election of those who make the laws under which, as good citizens, we must live. Other rights, even the most basic, are illusory if the right to vote is undermined.’ For the last 50 years, the Voting Rights Act has helped to guarantee that no one’s right to vote is undermined. The law has been instrumental in increasing voter participation, allowing minority communities to elect candidates of their choice, and increasing the number of African Americans and other minorities in elected positions at the local, state and federal levels of government.
Issues:Civil RightsVoting Rights