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February 4, 2015
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03) issued the following statement on the passing of longtime Hampton University Photographer Reuben Burrell:
“I was deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Reuben Burrell. For more than six decades, he served as Hampton University’s photographer where he affectionately became known as ‘One Shot Burrell.’ He skillfully documented the history of the university and the City of Hampton as it unfolded behind his camera lens.
February 4, 2015
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Senator Rand Paul (R-KY), Senator Patrick Leahy (D-VT), Representative Thomas Massie (R-KY), and Representative Bobby Scott (D-VA) introduced the Justice Safety Valve Act (S. 353/H.R. 706) in the Senate and House of Representatives. The Justice Safety Valve Act would give federal judges the ability to impose sentences below mandatory minimums in appropriate cases based upon mitigating factors.
“Mandatory minimum sentences have been studied extensively and have been found to distort rational sentencing systems, discriminate against minorities, waste money, and often require a judge to impose sentences that violate common sense,” stated Rep. Scott. “To add insult to injury, studies have shown that mandatory minimum sentences fail to reduce crime. Our bill will give discretion back to federal judges so that they can consider all the facts, issues, and circumstances before sentencing.”
February 3, 2015
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Ranking Members of the House Committees on Ways and Means, Energy and Commerce, and Education and the Workforce decried today’s attempt by House Republicans to repeal the Affordable Care Act (ACA) – the 56th such attempt since the law’s enactment – and the Republicans’ sustained attack to undermine access to quality, affordable health care for millions of hard-working Americans. Ranking Members Sander Levin (D-MI), Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ), and Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (D-VA) released the following joint statement after today’s vote:
"Once again, Republicans have tried to rob millions of Americans of their access to dependable, quality health care. Today's vote marks the 56th time House Republicans have attempted to undermine the Affordable Care Act. The GOP continues to disregard the plain, simple fact that the ACA is working. In 2014, the uninsured rate dropped to just 12.9 percent, and 19 million Americans have obtained ACA-sponsored coverage. Five years later, it is irresponsible for Republicans to pretend that the law and its landmark reforms can simply be taken away from American families.
February 3, 2015
Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to H.R. 596.
As the new ranking member on the Committee on Education and the Workforce, I know that protecting access to affordable health care for America's workers and families is a high priority. Despite scare tactics and misinformation, the bottom line is that the Affordable Care Act is working. Perhaps those who want to repeal the Affordable Care Act have a short memory. It is important to remember why the Affordable Care Act was passed in the first place.
February 2, 2015
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Rep. Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03), the ranking Democratic member on the House Education and the Workforce Committee, released the following statement today in response to President Obama’s proposed budget for fiscal year 2016:
“President Obama’s budget proposal lays out a fiscally responsible blueprint to strengthen the middle class by investing in workers, students, children, and families. The President’s budget would reverse the arbitrary, destructive spending cuts of the last four years and make critical investments in our nation’s future.
January 28, 2015
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the National Head Start Association awarded Congressman Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03), ranking member of the House Committee on Education and the Workforce, with their Head Start PROMISE (PRotecting Opportunities for our Most Important Students Early) Award for his commitment to advance the needs of Head Start children and families. Rep. Scott with Virginia Head Start Teachers
More than 300 Head Start teachers gathered in the nation’s capital this week to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the Head Start program, one of the nation’s most important early childhood education programs. Stephanie Gaignard, PTA President for Laburnum Elementary School in Henrico, Virginia, presented Congressman Scott with the Head Start PROMISE Award.
January 27, 2015
Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Madam Speaker, I rise in opposition to H.R. 285, the SAVE Act. While I support the underlying goal of ensuring that those who facilitate sex trafficking through advertising are prosecuted to the full extent of the law, I am opposed to the bill's mandatory minimum sentencing provisions.
Mandatory minimum sentences have been studied extensively and have been found to distort rational sentencing systems, discriminate against minorities, waste money, and often require a judge to impose sentences that violate common sense. To add insult to injury, studies have shown that mandatory minimum sentences fail to reduce crime.
January 26, 2015
Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 468, the Enhancing Services for Runaway and Homeless Victims of Youth Trafficking Act of 2015.
I am honored to join my colleagues, the gentleman from Nevada (Mr. Heck), the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Walberg), and the chairman of the full committee, Mr. Kline, and appreciate their leadership on this important issue.
Our bill makes important changes in the Runaway and Homeless Youth Act, so that victims of sexual exploitation and trafficking can get more of the help that they need. We know that trafficking and youth homelessness are often affecting the same populations.
January 26, 2015
Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the Strengthening Child Welfare Response to Trafficking Act of 2015, sponsored by the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Bass).
This bill will support victims of child sex trafficking by helping them find services they need, by training child protective services workers to identify cases of child sex trafficking, and by improving data collection on the number of child sex trafficking victims.
January 26, 2015
Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 246, a bill to improve the response to victims of child sex trafficking.
The bipartisan bill, sponsored by the gentlewoman from Ohio (Mrs. Beatty), would amend the Missing Children's Assistance Act by adding the term ``child sex trafficking'' to the list of items which may be reported to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children's CyberTipline.