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Washington, DC — Today marks the sixth anniversary of the Supreme Court’s Shelby County v. Holder decision, which struck down key provisions of the Voting Rights Act of 1965. Members of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC) released the following statements: "Today marks six years since the disastrous Supreme Court decision in the Shelby County v. Holder case which struck down key provisions of the Voting Rights Act. The decision was a huge setback for voting rights and dismantled fundamental voter protections that had been in place for nearly 50 years.
Issues:Voting Rights
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Bobby Scott (VA-03) praised passage of several fiscal year 2020 appropriations bills, putting the House of Representatives on track to send all twelve appropriations bills to the Senate by the end of June. Congressman Scott offered several amendments to these bills that were ultimately adopted by the full House of Representatives.
Issues:Federal Budget
WASHINGTON, DC – Chairman Bobby Scott (VA-03) issued the following statement in response to the Trump administration’s release of its Industry-Recognized Apprenticeship Program (IRAP) proposal. “Registered Apprenticeship programs are proven to prepare workers for good-paying, middle-class jobs. The administration’s proposal to establish a new unregistered apprenticeship program – which lacks sufficient accountability for meeting quality standards or ensuring the success of apprentices – diverts valuable funding away from programs that have a long record of success.
June 24, 2019
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Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the achievements of Margaret ``Peg'' Seminario, who has made the health and safety of American workers her life's work and is retiring after 42 years of tireless advocacy. Through her more than four decades of work at the AFL-CIO, Peg has been instrumental in securing the health and lives of millions of workers.
Issues:Economy and Jobs
June 24, 2019
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Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Madam Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the 100th Anniversary of The Apprentice School in Newport News, Virginia, which was founded in 1919 at Newport News Shipbuilding.
The Apprentice School has been continually recognized locally, regionally, nationally, and globally as an extraordinary apprentice program. It is a leading example of how apprentice programs have been redesigned to teach a wide array of skilled trades, while also offering an educational program rich in academic instruction, craft training, leadership, and extracurricular activities.
Issues:Education
June 20, 2019
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Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Mr. Chair, I rise in support of my amendment to H.R. 3055, which would provide funding for the 400 Years of African-American History Commission. I would like to thank my colleagues, Representatives JOHN LEWIS, BARBARA LEE, and RASHIDA TLAIB for cosponsoring this amendment which would provide an additional $500,000 to support the work of this important commission. I would also like to thank Chairwoman LOWEY, Chairwoman MCCOLLUM and the Appropriations Committee for working with me to include funding in the underlying bill and their support for this amendment.
Issues:Civil Rights
June 19, 2019
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Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Madam Chairwoman, I rise in support of this amendment. It is a straightforward amendment transferring $13 million from the Federal Prisoner Detention account to support local delinquency prevention grants authorized under the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act.
Issues:Youth PROMISE Act
In a commencement address filled with hope, US Congressman Robert “Bobby” Scott ’73 said this to BC Law’s Class of 2019: “I can’t wait to see the best that is in all of you. Our future is brighter because you took the harder path forward. In life and work you will be tempted to choose the easier path. But when faced with the temptation to take the easier route, I hope you remember the Jesuit principles that Boston College Law School seeks to instill in each of its students: public service, social justice, and a commitment to excellence.”
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Chairman Bobby Scott (VA-03) and Rep. Don Beyer (VA-08) issued the following statement after the release of a recent GAO Report, entitled “K-12 Education: Education Should Take Immediate Action to Address Inaccuracies in Federal Restraint and Seclusion Data.”
“The GAO’s report makes clear that school districts across the country are not accurately reporting the use of restraint or seclusion — disciplinary practices that jeopardize student and staff health and safety. In fact, the research shows these disciplinary practices make classrooms less safe. The report’s findings are consistent with the testimony the Committee on Education and Labor heard earlier this year and raise serious concerns about the prevalence of these harmful discipline practices. The Education Department must immediately implement GAO’s recommendations to give the public and Congress an accurate understanding of the use of restraint and seclusion.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Chairman Bobby Scott (VA-03) issued the following statement commemorating a shameful milestone for American workers. As of Sunday, June 16, this is the longest period of time without an increase in the federal minimum wage since it was created in 1938.
“We are now experiencing the longest period of time without an increase in the federal minimum wage since it was created in 1938. For low-wage workers, this milestone is not merely symbolic. While workers earning the federal minimum wage are better educated and more productive than ever, they have suffered a more than 15 percent pay cut, accounting for inflation, since the last minimum wage increase in 2009. According to the National Low Income Housing Coalition, there is no place in America where a full-time worker making the $7.25 federal minimum wage can afford a modest two-bedroom apartment.