Press Releases

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Bobby Scott (VA-03) issued the following statement after President Biden announced a U.S. ban on importing Russian energy in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine: “Ever since Vladimir Putin launched his unprovoked invasion on Ukraine, President Biden promised that Russia would face crushing sanctions, and we would leave Russia more isolated economically and diplomatically from the world. Today’s announcement is another example of President Biden following through on that promise. Congress is also expected to pass bipartisan legislation this week to further punish Russia beyond the scope of what the president can do via executive order, and I look forward to supporting that bill.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Bobby Scott (VA-03) issued the following statement after members of United Steelworkers Local 8888 voted to ratify a collective bargaining agreement with Huntington Ingalls Industries Newport News Shipbuilding: “I congratulate USW Local 8888 President Spivey and Newport News Shipbuilding President Boykin on coming together and reaching a hard-fought agreement for the benefit of our nation’s best shipbuilders. As the representative of Newport News and the Chairman of the House Committee on Education and Labor, I was very pleased to see USW Local 8888 ratify a new collective bargaining agreement that will cover over 10,000 workers at Newport News Shipbuilding.

WASHINGTON, DC – Chairman Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03) released the following statement after theBureau of Labor Statistics announced that the economy added 678,000 jobs in February as the unemployment rate fell to 3.8 percent. “Today’s jobs report demonstrates that when we invest in students, workers, and families, we can build back stronger communities and a stronger economy. Since President Biden took office in January 2021, the economy has gained 7.4 million jobs. President Biden has created more jobs in one year in office than any other President on record.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Bobby Scott (VA-03) issued the following statement after the U.S. House of Representatives voted to pass the H.R. 3967 – Honoring our PACT Act: “Our veterans selflessly served to protect and defend our nation and many are now sick as a result of that service. The Honoring our PACT Act is a comprehensive and bipartisan legislative package that will ensure we keep our promises to our veterans and they receive the healthcare and benefits they have earned. This bill will create presumptions for many respiratory illnesses and cancers, suffered by our veterans during their military service due to exposure to Agent Orange, burn pits, and other airborne hazards. Therefore, veterans who served in specific places at a particular time will be presumed to have been exposed to toxic substances and automatically eligible to get the healthcare and benefits that they need.

WASHINGTON, DC – Chairman Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03) released the following statement in response to President Biden’s State of the Union address to Congress. “Tonight, President Biden laid out a path for how we continue to build back a better America— one where we can continue to lower costs for all Americans and secure democracy across the world. As President Biden noted, the American Rescue Plan, which Congress passed last March, provided historic relief that helped reopen classrooms safely, supported workers who lost their jobs, and ensured struggling Americans could get back on their feet. The return on these investments is clear in our economic recovery.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Bobby Scott (VA-03), the Chairman of the Committee on Education and Labor, announced that Virginia will receive over $6.8 million -- out of $20.5 million that is being distributed across three states and the District of Columbia -- from the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) to improve outreach, access and claims processing for individuals with disabilities, those who may need language assistance services, and those in rural communities.  These Equity Grants, made possible by the American Rescue Plan Act, are first-of-their-kind and seek to address potential racial and ethnic disparities in the administration and delivery of UI benefits.

WASHINGTON, DC – Education and Labor Committee Chairman Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (D-VA) and Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ) introduced the No Surprises for COVID-19 Tests Act today, which extends free COVID-19 testing beyond the Public Health Emergency, ensures that patients do not receive surprise medical bills for coronavirus tests, and closes a loophole in the Coronavirus Aide, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act that some providers have used to price gouge for tests.   

NEWPORT NEWS, VA – Today, Congressman Bobby Scott (VA-03), the Chairman of the House Committee on Education and Labor, recognized National Public Schools Week which runs from February 21st – 25th. In the American Recue Plan, Chairman Scott helped secure $ 2.1 billion for Virginia K-12 schools to stay open safely and make up for lost learning time. Nationwide, the American Rescue Plan provided $130 billion for schools to stay open, and an additional $10 billion to help schools conduct COVID-19 testing for students and staff.  “All students should have access to safe, welcoming, and well-funded public schools,” said Congressman Scott. “Thanks to the historic investment from the American Rescue Plan, our K-12 schools are better equipped to safely stay open while navigating the challenges presented by the pandemic."