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WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, House Judiciary Committee Ranking Member John Conyers Jr. (MI-13), Subcommittee on Crime Ranking Member Bobby Scott (VA-03) and Subcommittee on the Subcommittee on the Constitution and Civil Justice Ranking Member Steve Cohen (TN-09) issued a letter to House Judiciary Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte (VA-06) requesting a Congressional hearing on recent incidents of local law enforcement using excessive force—sometimes deadly—and other violations where civil rights have been infringed upon.

NEWPORT NEWS, VA – Congressman Robert C. “Bobby” Scott issued the following statement regarding the President’s recent actions in Iraq: “As the President clearly stated last night, there is no American military solution to the crisis in Iraq and the only lasting solution is reconciliation among Iraqi communities and a stronger, stable Iraqi government. The President has described the humanitarian aid and limited airstrikes as necessary to protect American troops in northern Iraq and assist Iraqi civilians fleeing the horrific threats of violence from the ISIL terrorist group.

NEWPORT NEWS, VA – Congressman Robert C. "Bobby" Scott announced today that he will host a town hall in Portsmouth, Virginia on Thursday, August 14, 2014 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. The meeting will give an overview of legislative issues currently pending before Congress and provide an opportunity for constituents to ask questions and share their concerns. This event is open to the public. Seating will be limited. Click the article for more details.

NEWPORT NEWS, VA – Congressman Robert C. "Bobby" Scott released the following statement on the 49th anniversary of President Lyndon B. Johnson signing into law the Voting Rights Act of 1965: "The Voting Rights Act of 1965 was one of the most consequential pieces of legislation of the Civil Rights Movement. For the last 49 years, the Voting Rights Act has helped ensure that no one's right to vote is infringed. Unfortunately, as we mark this anniversary, we must recognize that we still have work to do to restore the core protections of the Voting Rights Act. Last year's Supreme Court decision in Shelby County v. Holder dealt a striking blow to the Voting Rights Act by ruling the coverage formula in Section 4 of the law unconstitutional.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Robert C. "Bobby" Scott (VA-03) issued the following statement on his opposition to H.R. 5230, the Supplemental Appropriations Related to the Humanitarian Crisis at the Southwest Border, and H.R. 5272, the No New DREAMers Act: "Tonight, after hours of delay, the House will vote on two bills that do nothing to address the humanitarian crisis at the Southwest border. Tens of thousands of children are fleeing Honduras, El Salvador, and Guatemala because of the extreme violence in these countries. The influx of these refugees is not a problem unique to the United States. Asylum applications from children from these countries are up a staggering 712 percent in neighboring Mexico, Panama, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and Belize. Sadly, the leadership of the House of Representatives has refused to work with Democrats and the President to responsibly and humanely address this regional problem.

Today, senior Administration officials met with Members of Congress and their constituents in the Roosevelt Room to engage on criminal justice priorities and discuss policies, Administrative initiatives, and legislative efforts to reform the criminal justice system. The Members and their constituents shared some of the best practices that are working well back home in their districts and states, and discussed ways that the Administration can best partner with Members, local law enforcement, and community leaders to use evidence-based practices to reduce recidivism, improve access to economic opportunities, deter crime, and address our most pressing public safety challenges. The group also emphasized the need to advance common-sense sentencing reform legislation that will address disparities in the justice system and strengthen protections for vulnerable populations. Administration officials reaffirmed the President’s commitment to building fairer and more equitable juvenile and criminal justice systems.