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WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Bobby Scott (VA-03) issued the following statement on the 15th anniversary of the September 11th, 2001 terrorist attacks: “Fifteen years ago on September 11, 2001, the United States endured four coordinated terrorist attacks that forever changed our nation and the world. In the immediate aftermath of these attacks, Americans did not cower in fear, but stood united. “On this solemn anniversary, we honor and remember the nearly 3,000 people of all colors and creeds who perished in these attacks.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Democrat and Republican members of the House Committee on Education and the Workforce today introduced the H.R. 5963 Supporting Youth Opportunity and Preventing Delinquency Act. Sponsored by Rep. Carlos Curbelo (R-FL) and Ranking Member Bobby Scott (D-VA), the legislation reauthorizes and reforms the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act to help state and local leaders better serve at-risk youth and juvenile offenders. “The JJDPA has been due to be reauthorized for nearly ten years. In that time, many states have had successes implementing evidence-based and trauma-informed practices to improve the delivery of delinquency prevention services to youth,” said Ranking Member Scott. “At the federal level, we must continue to incentivize a focus on evidence-based prevention and intervention initiatives which reduce delinquency and save money. Making sure we get juveniles in the system or at risk of delinquency off the wrong track and back in school on the way to college or a career is one of the most common sense, cost-effective actions we can take to improve our communities. I’m pleased that we were able to work together and find common ground to advance national juvenile justice policy.”

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Yesterday, Congressman Bobby Scott (VA-03), the Ranking Member of the Committee on Education and the Workforce, joined United Mine Workers of America (UMWA) President Cecil Roberts, and thousands of retired coal miners and their families, including hundreds from Southwest Virginia, for a rally to push Congress to pass the Coal Healthcare and Pensions Protection Act (H.R. 2403/S. 1714). “Congress cannot delay action on the Coal Healthcare and Pensions Protection Act any further,” stated Congressman Scott. “These men and women have earned these benefits and we cannot hang them out to dry by our inaction. My colleagues who call themselves ‘friends of coal’ also need to be ‘friends of coal miners’ and join this bipartisan coalition of members of Congress and bring this bill up for a vote immediately.”

NEWPORT NEWS, VA – Congressman Bobby Scott (VA-03) issued the following statement on Virginia Attorney General Mark Herring’s request that the U.S. Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division open a pattern-or-practice investigation of the Hampton Roads Regional Jail: “I commend Attorney General Herring for requesting a federal pattern-or-practice investigation of the Hampton Roads Regional Jail. The circumstances surrounding the death of Jamycheal Mitchell last year and the recent death of Henry Clay Stewart raise serious questions and concerns about this facility. These investigations can determine whether or not the constitutional rights of the incarcerated, as well as federal law, have been violated.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Ranking Member Bobby Scott (VA-03) released the following statement to workers today in recognition of Labor Day, which is Monday, September 5th: “Labor Day is a time to recognize the incredible achievements of hardworking Americans. It is also a time to acknowledge that far too many people are working harder than ever, but still struggling to make ends meet. America has made significant strides toward economic recovery, with 77 consecutive months of uninterrupted private sector job growth. But too many working people are still going without the basics – decent housing, reliable child care, and time off work to recover from illness or care for a loved one.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Ranking Member Bobby Scott (VA-03) issued the following statement after the Bureau of Labor Statistics announced that the economy added 151,000 jobs during the month of August: “Today’s job report shows that 151,000 jobs were added to the economy and unemployment stands at 4.9 percent. This report represents the 77th consecutive month of private sector job growth, continuing the longest streak on record previously set in April 2000 at 51 months. Today also marks the 42nd anniversary of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA). ERISA set a number of standards for pension and health benefit plans in private industry, ensuring workers receive the protections they deserve. And although we see continued economic growth with today’s jobs report, we know that too many Americans continue to struggle to adequately save for their retirement.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Ranking Members Bobby Scott (VA-03) and Elijah Cummings (MD-07) issued the following statement after the U.S. Department of Labor and the Federal Acquisition Regulatory Council today announced final regulations and guidance implementing the Fair Pay and Safe Workplaces Executive Order. “We commend the Department of Labor and the Obama Administration’s diligent and deliberative process in developing the final Fair Pay and Safe Workplaces rule. This rule will ensure that hardworking Americans are treated fairly on the job and that they come home safely at the end of the day. It will help to guarantee that businesses awarded federal contracts are in compliance with basic worker protection laws and that law-abiding contractors compete on a level playing field.