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WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Robert C. “Bobby” Scott, Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, Homeland Security and Investigations on the House Judiciary Committee, issued the following statement on the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence’s redacted summary, released today, of its report on the use of torture by the Central Intelligence Agency: “The declassified summary of the Senate Intelligence Committee’s report confirms that the Central Intelligence Agency’s Detention and Interrogation Program had a policy of torture in contravention of federal law and international conventions. While the CIA suggests that such tactics were necessary to protect the nation from future terrorist attacks, the report indicates that the relationship between many counterterrorism successes cited by the CIA in support of the policy and the ‘enhanced interrogation techniques’ was tenuous at best and non-existent at worst.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – As President Obama and Attorney General Eric Holder begin to act on recommendations of an Administration review of federal programs and funding that provide military equipment to local law enforcement agencies; and discussions begin on how communities and law enforcement can work together to build trust to strengthen neighborhoods across the country, Reps. John Conyers (MI-13), Bobby Scott (VA-03) and Hank Johnson (GA04) sent a letter to Attorney General Holder raising questions on the role the Department of Justice plays in the training, monitoring, and controlling SWAT officers and the use of militarized equipment by local law enforcement and SWAT officers. The Congressman are all members of the House Committee on the Judiciary.

NEWPORT NEWS, VA – Congressman Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-3), Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, Homeland Security and Investigations on the House Judiciary Committee, issued the following statement on the Grand Jury’s decision not to issue an indictment in the shooting of Michael Brown: “The Grand Jury has spoken. While this is not the legal outcome of the state criminal proceedings desired by the Brown family and many in the Ferguson community, it is important to remember that a federal investigation by the U.S. Department of Justice remains ongoing. There are also civil remedies still available to the Brown family.

RICHMOND, VA – Congressman Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-3) issued the following statement on the resignation of Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel: “Secretary Hagel has devoted much of his life and career to serving our nation – first as a combat veteran in Vietnam then as a United States Senator and now as Secretary of Defense. I saw firsthand his unwavering commitment to our men and women in uniform when he worked tirelessly with then Virginia Senator Jim Webb for passage of the Post-9/11 G.I. Bill. As Secretary Hagel moves on to the next chapter in his life, I wish him and his family well and I thank him for his service to our nation.”

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Robert C. “Bobby” Scott issued the following statement on the President’s executive actions on immigration announced this evening: “The President’s executive actions are limited in scope and will bring millions of undocumented individuals out of the shadows. There is ample legal authority and precedent for the President’s actions. Many past presidents­, including Ronald Reagan and George H. W. Bush, have exercised this legal authority to act on immigration. As the President stated tonight, he is limited in what he can accomplish alone and it is incumbent on Congress to pass comprehensive immigration reform.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03) released the following statement today on his election as the Ranking Democratic Member of the Committee on Education and the Workforce for the 114th Congress: “I am honored to be elected by my colleagues to lead Democrats on the Committee on Education and the Workforce in the 114th Congress. When I was first elected to Congress, I was privileged to serve on this committee to promote educational opportunity for all children, economic justice for families and fairness and safety for America’s workers. During my tenure on this Committee, I have learned from some great leaders – from Chairman Bill Ford and Ranking Member Bill Clay to our retiring Ranking Member and former Chairman George Miller. This committee raised the minimum wage twice; protected child nutrition and head start programs from deep cuts; significantly reduced interest rates for federal student loans while securing the largest investment in higher education since the G.I. bill; and we proudly passed a law that makes quality and affordable health care for all a reality. We still have more work to do.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Robert C. "Bobby" Scott announced today that he will hold two health care town halls in Norfolk and Newport News next week. At both town halls, Congressman Scott will be joined by: Joanne Grossi, Regional Director at the Department of Health and Human Services; Ashley Richard, a Certified Navigator at ENROLL Virginia!; and Dr. Jennifer Lee, Deputy Secretary of Virginia’s Department of Health and Human Resources. The town halls will provide an overview of the Affordable Care Act, the enrollment process, and other health care initiatives at the federal and state levels. Open Enrollment began on November 15, 2014 and will run until February 15, 2015.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Robert C. “Bobby” Scott issued the following statement on his opposition to H.R. 5682, the latest attempt by House Republicans to force an approval of the Keystone XL Pipeline: “Proponents of the Keystone XL Pipeline argue that it will move our nation closer to energy independence by reducing our reliance on foreign oil, but they fail to recognize reality. Last year, the United States produced more oil domestically than was imported and gas prices are, and are expected to remain, near lows not seen in years. Even if this were not the case, much of the tar sands oil that would run through this new pipeline will not be sold in the United States but will instead pass through our nation for eventual sale on international markets.