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WASHINGTON, D.C. – Committee on Education and the Workforce Ranking Member Bobby Scott (VA-03) and Committee on the Judiciary Ranking Member John Conyers (MI-13) issued the following statement after President Trump signed an executive order on the National Day of Prayer, that allegedly promotes “religious liberty”:
“Religious liberty is a fundamental American value. However, the executive order signed today by the Trump Administration would permit individuals to use their 'conscience-based objections' to override civil rights protections. The principle that individuals can use their 'conscience-based objections' to undermine generally applicable civil rights laws sets a dangerous precedent.
May 4, 2017
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Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume, and I remind my colleague that her vote for this bill could increase premiums for people with breast cancer in Tennessee by over $38,000.
Mr. Speaker, let's begin with a few facts:
Since the passage of the Affordable Care Act, costs have gone up at the lowest rate in 50 years;
Those with preexisting conditions get insurance at the standard rate;
Instead of millions of people losing their insurance every year, 20 million more people have insurance;
Personal bankruptcies are down 50 percent.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Ranking Member Bobby Scott (VA-03) issued the following statement after the passage (309-118) of fiscal year 2017 omnibus legislation, H.R. 244 – Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2017:
“Budgeting requires making tough choices, and a budget is a reflection of priorities. Today’s spending agreement prevents the government from shutting down and limits harmful efforts to balance the budget on the backs of students, working families, and vulnerable communities across the nation. As legislators, we decide what our priorities are and how to best invest in our country. The spending agreement funds vital programs at the Department of Education, Health and Human Services, Department of Labor, Agriculture, and independent agencies, which support education, job training, and workplace safety and protections.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Bobby Scott (VA-03) delivered a speech on the House floor this morning honoring the retirement of his longtime Chief of Staff, Joni Ivey. Video of the Congressman Scott’s speech is linked below. “Today, I spoke on the House floor to pay homage to my friend, closest adviser, and longtime Chief of Staff Joni Ivey who will be retiring this week after dedicating the last 40 years serving the citizens of the Commonwealth of Virginia,” said Rep. Scott. “Serving the public and helping those most in need has always driven her. Joni’s passion in this regard has helped ground me and our staff to focus on what we can do every day we’re fortunate enough to be in a position to make better the lives of those we serve. Joni never sought recognition for her decades of hard work, but I hope she knows that she will be truly missed by me, our staff, and the citizens she has served for so many years.”
May 2, 2017
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Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself 3 minutes.
Mr. Speaker, under current law, if an employee wants to work overtime, put the money in the bank where it can earn interest, and use it to cover the cost of taking some time off later with the permission of the employer, he can do that today without this bill.
But under H.R. 1180, instead of getting paid for overtime work in the next scheduled paycheck, the employee might not get paid until as much as a year later, when his employer decides to let him take that comp time.
This legislation simply weakens the protections available in the Fair Labor Standards Act--the original family-friendly workplace law--at the very moment that we really ought to be strengthening the law.
May 2, 2017
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Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a remarkable woman who has dedicated the last 40 years of her life to serving the citizens of the Commonwealth of Virginia--my friend, closest adviser, and chief of staff, Joni Ivey.
Joni was born and raised in Newport News, Virginia. She grew up in Newsome Park and was one of seven children of Willie and Carnetta Ivey. She graduated from Carver High School in 1971, the last graduating class of the segregated high school that was closed when local schools were racially integrated. Joni went on to attend Christopher Newport University and graduated from Norfolk State University.
May 1, 2017
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Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 1242, the 400 Years of African-American History Commission Act, which was introduced earlier this year by Senators Tim Kaine, Mark Warner, Roy Blunt, and Cory Booker. I was proud to introduce the House version, which has the support of Representatives TAYLOR, RICHMOND, WITTMAN, BEYER, MCEACHIN, LEWIS, COMSTOCK, CONNOLLY, GRIFFITH, GOODLATTE, and many others.
I would like to thank Chairman Chaffetz, Ranking Member Cummings, Mr. Comer, and Mr. Connolly for their assistance in bringing the bill to the floor today.
This bill would establish a commission to begin the planning of programs and activities across our Nation to recognize the contributions of African Americans since their first arrival as African slaves in the English colonies at Point Comfort, Virginia, in 1619, almost 400 years ago.
Issues:Civil RightsEducation
April 28, 2017
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Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to call attention and recognize the Eastern Star Lodge No. 13 in Hampton, Virginia. Eastern Star Lodge No. 13 is celebrating its 150th Anniversary tomorrow and has worked in continuous and faithful service to the Commonwealth of Virginia over this time.
Prince Hall Masonic lodges have a long history in the Commonwealth, tracing their history to 1775 when Prince Hall and fourteen other free blacks joined a British army lodge of Masons stationed in Boston, Massachusetts and, following their departure, formed their own lodge: African American Lodge No. 1. Prince Hall became the lodge's first Grand Master.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Bobby Scott (VA-03) issued the following statement on President Donald Trump’s Executive Order to expand off-shore drilling:
“Nearly seven years to the day after the Deepwater Horizon disaster, I was disappointed to see President Trump sign an Executive Order to review the 2017-2022 Five Year Oil and Gas Leasing Program, protections put in place for sensitive offshore areas, and regulations put in place to ensure that disasters similar to Deepwater Horizon never take place.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Bobby Scott (VA-03) issued the following statement on the passing of Madam Annie B. Daniels:
“I was deeply saddened to learn of the passing of my longtime friend and supporter Madam Annie B. Daniels. A treasured citizen of the Commonwealth of Virginia, Madam Daniels will be remembered for her entrepreneurial work and civic engagement.
“Madam Daniels was perhaps most famous for her work as a beloved hair stylist and founder of the Madam Daniels School of Beauty and Culture, a fixture of the southeast community in Newport News. But outside of her success as a local entrepreneur, she was an important advocate for civil rights and social justice in Virginia, and had been recognized by the City of Newport News, the NAACP, Hampton University, the Urban League of Hampton Roads, and the Virginia General Assembly.