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Press Releases

March 11, 2019
WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Bobby Scott (VA-03), a member of the House Budget Committee, issued the following statement on the release of President Trump’s budget for Fiscal Year 2020: “The President’s budget highlights his priorities – unfortunately American families do not appear to be one of those priorities. In order to protect massive tax cuts for corporations and the wealthiest among us, this budget decimates funding for infrastructure, civil works projects, Medicare and Medicaid, and many other critical programs. Instead of investing in our future, this budget takes food from those most in need, makes housing harder to access for those who have been left behind, and ignores the needs of America’s children and working families.”

March 8, 2019
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Bobby Scott (VA-03) issued the following statement after the House of Representatives passed H.R. 1, the For The People Act: “The For The People Act is a historic legislative package to help reform our democracy. H.R. 1 will help restore political power to the people by strengthening ethics laws, ending the culture of corruption in Washington and reducing the role of dark, unaccountable money in politics."

March 7, 2019
WASHINGTON, DC – Chairman Bobby Scott (VA-03) issued the following statement after the Department of Labor proposed to raise the overtime salary threshold to $35,308 from $23,660. The overtime threshold is the level below which salaried executive, administrative and professional workers must receive overtime pay for each hour worked after 40 hours per week. “The new overtime salary threshold proposed by the Department of Labor falls far short of meeting the needs of workers who are struggling to get ahead. While some people will see benefits under the new threshold, the proposal would exclude millions of workers who would have benefited under the 2016 Obama administration rule, which would have increased the threshold to nearly $50,000.

March 7, 2019
WASHINGTON, DC – Congresswoman Elaine Luria (VA-02) today announced that she is leading bipartisan House legislation that would fully fund the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Chesapeake Bay Program for the next five years, ensuring that states get the resources they need to comply with their obligations to protect and preserve the Bay. Original House cosponsors of the bipartisan Chesapeake Bay Program Reauthorization Act include Chesapeake Bay Watershed Task Force Co-Chairs Rep. Bobby Scott (VA-03), Rep. Rob Wittman (VA-01), and Rep. John Sarbanes (MD-03). Sen. Ben Cardin (D-MD) and Sen. Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) are leading the effort in the Senate.

March 7, 2019
WASHINGTON, DC – Chairman Bobby Scott (VA-03) issued the following statement after the U.S. District Court in the District of Columbia vacated the Education Department’s delay of the Equity in IDEA rule. The Obama-era rule, which Secretary DeVos had delayed for two years, helps schools address persistent and pervasive disparities in identification, placement, and discipline of students of color with disabilities. “Today’s court ruling is a major victory for students and parents and an important step toward ensuring that all students have access to a high-quality, equitable education in a safe and healthy environment."

March 6, 2019
WASHINGTON, DC – Today, the Committee on Education and Labor approved the Raise the Wage Act (H.R. 582), a proposal to gradually increase the minimum wage to $15 by 2024. The Raise the Wage Act would give nearly 40 million workers a raise and, by putting money in the pockets of American workers, provide an economic stimulus to local businesses and communities. “Today, the Committee took an important step toward lifting millions of American workers out poverty by raising the minimum wage for the first time in nearly a decade,” said Chairman Bobby Scott.

February 28, 2019
WASHINGTON, DC – With the support of leaders from the civil rights, social justice and faith communities, Congressman Bobby Scott (VA-03), Chairman of the Committee on Education and Labor, Congressman Joe Kennedy III (MA-04), and Senator Kamala D. Harris (CA) today reintroduced legislation to amend the Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA). The Do No Harm Act would clarify that no one can seek religious exemption from laws guaranteeing fundamental civil and legal rights. Originally introduced in response to the Burwell v. Hobby Lobby Stores decision that made it possible for corporations to deny health care to female employees, the legislation would also overturn the Trump administration’s recent waiver allowing child welfare agencies in South Carolina to discriminate against LGBTQ individuals and different religions.

February 28, 2019
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Robert C. "Bobby" Scott (VA-03) announced the beginning of the 26th Annual Third Congressional District High School Art Competition. The competition is open to all high school students (grades 9-12) residing in the Third Congressional District of Virginia. Entries are due by 5:00 p.m. on Friday, April 12, 2019. An Artistic Discovery is a nationwide program coordinated by Members of the United States House of Representatives to recognize the artistic talents of our youth. The nationwide competition involves more than 50,000 talented high school students. In the past, over 200 Members of Congress have participated in the program.

February 27, 2019
WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Bobby Scott (VA-03), a Vice Chair of the House Democratic Caucus’ Gun Violence Prevention Task Force, issued the following statement after the House of Representatives passed H.R. 8, the Bipartisan Background Checks Act of 2019: “For far too long Congress has sat idly by as countless Americans have lost their lives to senseless gun violence. That ended today with the House passing the Bipartisan Background Checks Act. Requiring background checks for all firearm purchases and closing the gun show loophole both have large public support, and they are an important first step in making our communities safer. Today’s vote reflects our commitment to addressing the gun violence epidemic in our country. It is now up to the Senate to follow our lead and pass this long overdue bill.”
Issues:Gun Safety

February 26, 2019
WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Bobby Scott (VA-03) issued the following statement after the House of Representatives passed H.J. Res. 46, a resolution to terminate President Trump’s declaration of a national emergency at the southern border: “Today, the House voted to stop President Trump’s unconstitutional abuse of emergency power. There is no sudden emergency at the border. Furthermore, the wall does not address any of the alleged problems outlined by the President. We know the wall would not reduce crime, stop the flow of drugs into the country, nor address the issue of refugees seeking asylum at ports of entry.