Press Releases
January 9, 2015
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03) issued the following statement on his vote against H.R. 3, the latest attempt by House Republicans to force an approval of the Keystone XL Pipeline:
“Supporters of the Keystone XL Pipeline believe that construction of the pipeline will create jobs and move our nation closer to energy independence by reducing our reliance on foreign oil. However, these beliefs fail to recognize the current economic climate. Last year, the United States produced more oil domestically than was imported, and gas prices are, and are expected to remain, near lows not seen in years. Even if this were not the case, much of the tar sands oil that would run through this new pipeline would not be sold in the United States and would have no effect on domestic gas prices, but would instead pass through our nation for eventual sale on international markets.
January 5, 2015
WASHINGTON, D.C. – With the conclusion of the 113th Congress, Congressman Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03) will end his service as Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, Homeland Security and Investigations on the House Judiciary Committee. From 2007 through 2010, he served as the subcommittee’s Chairman.
Additionally, during the 113th Congress, Congressman Scott served as Ranking Member of the bipartisan Task Force on Over-criminalization, which was authorized by the House Judiciary Committee on May 7, 2013. The Task Force was charged with assessing our nation’s current federal criminal justice system and to make recommendations for improvements. While the Task Force did not issue a final report, Congressman Scott recently filed the Democratic Views of the Task Force’s work and findings, including recommended reforms.
January 5, 2015
NEWPORT NEWS, VA – Congressman Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03) issued the following statement on the passing of former Senator Edward W. Brooke of Massachusetts:
“As the first African-American to be popularly elected as a state attorney general and a United States Senator, Edward Brooke was a trailblazer in American politics. He was well respected by his colleagues and spent his career in the Senate effectively working across the aisle to advance civil rights and economic fairness for all. Our Congress could use more members in the mold of Edward Brooke. My thoughts and prayers are with the Brooke family and the many people positively impacted by Senator Brooke’s work.”
December 31, 2014
NEWPORT NEWS, VA – Congressman Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03) issued the following statement on the passing of former Virginia Congressman Herbert Harris II:
“I was saddened to learn of the passing of former Congressman Herb Harris last week. Virginia has lost a dedicated public servant who helped transform Northern Virginia into one of the most important economic regions of our Commonwealth. His tenacious advocacy for civil rights, the poor, public transportation, our military, and our federal employees set a standard in our congressional delegation. My thoughts and prayers are with Congressman Harris’ family during this time of bereavement.”
December 22, 2014
NEWPORT NEWS, VA – Congressman Robert C. "Bobby" Scott (VA-03) issued the following statement on the murders of New York Police Officers Rafael Ramos and Wenijian Liu and Tarpon Springs, Florida Police Officer Charles Kondek:
"Saturday, two members of the New York Police Department were targeted, shot at point blank range and murdered while eating lunch in their patrol car. Sunday, a member of the Tarpon Springs Police Department in Florida was shot, run over, and murdered while approaching a car that was the subject of a noise complaint. The senseless murders of these three men are reprehensible. These officers were targeted because of what they looked like -- law enforcement officers.
December 20, 2014
RICHMOND, VA – Congressman Robert C. "Bobby" Scott (VA-03) was recognized last night with the Richmond Chapter of the Continentals, Inc. "Champion for Children Award" at its annual Elegance in Black & White Gala. Chartered in 1976, the Richmond Chapter of the Continentals, Inc. is a public service organization dedicated to the welfare of underprivileged youth. The "Champion for Children Award" was established last year by the Richmond Chapter to recognize a person or organization that exemplifies the mission of the Continentals to help our society's children.
"I am honored to be recognized by the Richmond Chapter of the Continentals, Inc. as a Champion for Children," said Rep. Scott. "Children in our community, particularly those in low income areas, are facing numerous challenges, such as food insecurity, unequal education, and the School to Prison Pipeline
Issues:Education
Scott Statement on the Signing of Death In Custody Reporting Act of 2013 into Law by President Obama
December 18, 2014
NEWPORT NEWS, VA – Today, President Barack Obama signed into law H.R. 1447, the “Death in Custody Reporting Act of 2013,” a bill introduced by Congressman Robert C. “Bobby” Scott. The bill requires states and federal law enforcement agencies to report to the Department of Justice information about deaths of individuals in their custody.
Issues:Civil Rights
December 17, 2014
NEWPORT NEWS, VA – Congressman Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03) issued the following statement today upon the announcements of the release of American contractor Alan Gross from a Cuban prison where he was held for five years and the restoration of diplomatic relations between the United States and Cuba:
Issues:Foreign Affairs
December 11, 2014
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Tonight, the House of Representatives narrowly passed H.R. 83, the Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2015 or so-called “CROmnibus.” The legislation is comprised of 11 FY 2015 Appropriations bills and a Continuing Resolution maintaining the current rate of Homeland Security funding until February 27, 2015. Citing several provisions tucked into the bill at the last minute, Congressman Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03) issued the following statement on his No vote on H.R. 83:
"Representing an area that is largely dependent on Department of Defense and other federal spending, I appreciate how important fully funding our federal government for the entire fiscal year is to my constituents and to our nation. Regrettably due to several truly egregious provisions added late to this bill, I voted No.
Issues:Federal Budget
December 11, 2014
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) and U.S. Representative Bobby Scott (D-Va.) today applauded last night’s Senate passage of the Death in Custody Reporting Act, bipartisan legislation which requires states to report to the U.S. Department of Justice how many individuals die each year while in police custody or during the course of an arrest. The House of Representatives approved the Death in Custody Reporting Act by voice vote on December 12, 2013, and the bill now goes to the President for his signature.
Issues:Civil Rights