Press Releases

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Bobby Scott (VA-03) issued the following statement after the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 3076 – Postal Service Reform Act. “The United States Postal Service (USPS) is a critical part of American life. People across the country depend on USPS to communicate with friends, receive prescriptions, pay bills, receive Social Security benefits, file tax returns, vote and more. Today, the House took a major step toward reforming the USPS. The Postal Service Reform Act improves the reliability of USPS’s services and puts the Postal Service on stronger financial footing.

WASHINGTON, DC – Chairman Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03) released the following statement after the Bureau of Labor Statistics announced that the economy added 467,000 jobs in January. “Despite a surge in COVID-19 infections, today’s jobs report reflects another month of historic job growth. Under President Biden’s economic agenda and the investments made through the American Rescue Plan, our economy has had the strongest year for economic growth since 1984. In 2021, the economy created 6.7 million jobs – more than any other year on record. Americans are getting back to work. 

WASHINGTON, DC – This week, Education and Labor Committee Chairman Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03) sent a letter urging the Department of Education to reconsider the nonprofit status of Everglades College after the Committee found that insiders at Everglades College and its subsidiary, Keiser University, have received millions of dollars in income from services provided to those institutions. The letter describes how the sale of Keiser University to Everglades College, both owned by the Keiser family, and the subsequent conversion of Keiser University to nonprofit status has allowed Dr. Arthur Keiser, the Keiser family, and their related businesses to substantially benefit from Everglades College. The letter further explains why the continued profits that Dr. Keiser, the Keiser family, and their related businesses earn from the operation of Everglades College necessitate a review of the institution’s nonprofit status.

WASHINGTON, DC – Chairman Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03) released the following statement after at least six historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) received bomb threats on Monday. This is the second time bomb threats have been made at HBCUs in less than a month. “For the second time this month, bomb threats were made to at least half a dozen historically Black colleges and universities. Campuses were closed, classes disrupted, and HBCU students, faculty and staff once again feared for their safety. These threats are unacceptable. Students attending HBCUs or any other institution must be afforded the opportunity of a safe, learning environment. 

NEWPORT NEWS, VA  - Congressman Bobby Scott (VA-03) announced nearly $2.8 million to help hardworking Virginian families with energy costs this winter through the Department of Health and Human Services’ Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), made available through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. As Americans continue to deal with the inflationary impacts of the pandemic, LIHEAP grantees will be able to use the funding appropriated by Congress, along with funding made available through the American Rescue Plan and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, the House posted text of the America Creating Opportunities for Manufacturing, Pre-Eminence in Technology and Economic Strength Act of 2022.  In the Committee’s jurisdiction, the America COMPETES Act of 2022 includes a historic investment to increase pathways to STEM and computer science education, expand Registered Apprenticeship programs to train more workers, and strengthen America’s economic competitiveness. “The success and competitiveness of the American economy depends on the strength of our nation’s workforce. The America COMPETES Act will connect our nation’s students and workers with the skills they need to succeed in high-tech industries while keeping our economy competitive in the years ahead.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Bobby Scott (VA-03), the Chairman of the Committee on Education and Labor, issued the following statement after President Biden signed the Supplemental Impact Aid Flexibility Act into law: “Most public schools in America are largely funded through state and local property taxes. The Impact Aid Grant Program was designed to assist local school districts that serve students that are ‘federally-connected.’ An example of a ‘federally-connected’ student might be someone who lives on a military base, in affordable housing, or a Native American reservation.

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Education and Labor Committee Chairman Bobby Scott (VA-03) and Subcommittee on Workforce Protections Chairwoman Alma Adams (NC-12), introduced the Black Lung Benefits Disability Trust Fund Solvency Act of 2022 (H.R. 6462). This legislation would extend the black lung excise tax rate, which expired at the end of last year, to fund future benefits and health care for miners suffering from black lung disease. Without revenue from the tax, the Black Lung Disability Trust Fund is at-risk of becoming insolvent at a time when the number of black lung cases is rapidly increasing. A May 2018 GAO report found that failure to extend the tax rate will increase the Fund’s debt from approximately $5 billion to $15 billion by 2050.