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WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03) issued the following statement on his opposition to H.R. 4038, the American SAFE Act of 2015, which would effectively stop the admission of properly vetted Syrian and Iraqi refugees into the United States:
“Our nation continues to stand with the people of France in the wake of last week’s horrific terrorist attacks in Paris, and we must be vigilant in ensuring that a similar attack does not happen on our shores. Unfortunately, the bill considered in the House of Representatives today preys on the fear of the American people and would unjustly shut out the most vulnerable Syrians and Iraqis fleeing from the unimaginable violence overrunning their countries.
November 17, 2015
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Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to the Tribal Labor Sovereignty Act of 2015, legislation that would strip employees of protections afforded under the National Labor Relations Act at any enterprise owned by an Indian tribe and located on Indian lands.
At issue are two solemn and deeply-rooted principles: one, the right of Indian tribes to possess as distinct independent political communities retaining their original rights in matters of local self-government; and, two, the rights of workers to organize, bargain collectively, and engage in concerted activities for their mutual aid and protection.
WASHINGTON, DC – Today, President Barack Obama named Dr. Katherine G. Johnson of Hampton, Virginia, a longtime employee at the NASA Langley Research Center, a recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom. The Presidential Medal of Freedom is one of our Nation’s highest civilian honors, and is presented to individuals who have made especially meritorious contributions to the security or the national interests to the United States, to world peace, or to cultural or other significant public or private endeavors. The award will be formally presented at the White House on November 24, 2015.
“I am extremely pleased that President Obama has named Dr. Katherine Goble Johnson a recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom, one of nation’s highest civilian honors.
“It was apparent from early on that Dr. Johnson was driven to succeed and after overcoming adversity and institutional racism to graduate from high school at 14 and from West Virginia State University at 18. Following further studies in mathematics and physics, she found a career in education.
RICHMOND, VA – Congressman Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03) issued the following statement in commemoration of Veterans Day:
“Veterans Day is a time to honor our men and women who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces, to demonstrate our appreciation for the sacrifices our veterans have made, and to promote peace so that their sacrifices will not have been in vain.
“And while we spend this day saluting their service, we must recommit ourselves to ensure that when our veterans return home, they are cared for and are able to successfully transition back into civilian life. We can do this by making sure that the Department of Veterans Affairs is held accountable and has the necessary resources to recruit and hire the best doctors, specialists and nurses to meet increased demand.
Issues:Veterans
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Rep. Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03), Ranking Member of the House Committee on Education and the Workforce, issued the following statement today celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Higher Education Act, which was signed into law by President Lyndon B. Johnson on November 8, 1965:
“Fifty years ago, President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the Higher Education Act (HEA) into law. HEA was a key component of the ‘Great Society’, and its goal was and is to provide a pathway to the middle class for millions of families around the country by making college affordable and accessible to everyone, not just the elite.
“As President Johnson said as he signed HEA into law, ‘[This] means that a high school senior, anywhere in this great land of ours, can apply to any college or any university in any of the 50 states and not be turned away because his family is poor.’
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Virginia’s congressional delegation is urging President Obama to support funding to expand the Port of Virginia. In a bipartisan letter signed by U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-VA) and U.S. Reps. Bob Goodlatte (R-VA), Bobby Scott (D-VA), Randy Forbes (R-VA), Rob Wittman (R-VA), Gerry Connolly (D-VA), Robert Hurt (R-VA), Scott Rigell (R-VA), Dave Brat (R-VA), Don Beyer (D-VA) and Barbara Comstock (R-VA), the members urged the Administration to support funds for a project to expand the current dredge fill facility at Craney Island in Hampton Roads and allow for a marine terminal on site that will nearly double the cargo capacity of the Port.
Issues:Economy and Jobs
WASHINGTON, D.C. – This week, Representatives Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03) and Randy Forbes (VA-04) offered an amendment to H.R. 22, the Surface Transportation Reauthorization and Reform Act, urging the U.S. Department of Transportation to utilize modeling and simulation technology to ensure that federally funded transportation projects will increase transportation capacity and safety, alleviate congestion, reduce travel time and environmental impact, and are as cost effective as practicable. The Scott-Forbes Amendment passed by voice vote.
Issues:Economy and Jobs
November 4, 2015
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Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Mr. Chairman, I rise in opposition to the King amendment.
This amendment would prohibit the application and payment of prevailing wages provided under the Davis-Bacon Act for funds expended on construction projects in this bill.
Davis-Bacon sets wage and benefit standards for federally assisted construction projects to ensure that contractors compete on the quality of their work, not by undercutting wage levels in local communities. Negating the application of wage laws, as the King amendment proposes to do, often leads to shoddy construction and substantial cost overruns.
November 2, 2015
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Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. I thank the gentlewoman for organizing this Special Order so that we can talk about many aspects of the criminal justice system.
You have asked us to talk about the militarization of communities, also what we can do to improve policing and the problem of mass incarceration. On the term of militarizing the communities, there was an amendment offered a few months ago that would have prevented the Department of Defense from giving local police departments certain military equipment.
Issues:Civil Rights
October 28, 2015
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Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the Congressional Progressive caucus for holding this Special Order on the Working Families Agenda.
Since the Republicans took over the House in January 2011, they have held hearing after hearing to make it harder for workers to form a union, they have attempted over 60 times to repeal the Affordable Care Act, they have been giving tax cuts to the wealthy, and all that time they have been wasting millions of dollars on the Benghazi Committee.
Enough is enough. The American people deserve better.