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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.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner (D-VA), Tim Kaine (D-VA), and U.S. Reps. Rob Wittman (R-1st), Scott Rigell (R-2nd) and Bobby Scott (D-3rd) today met with U.S. Air Force Assistant Secretary Kathleen Ferguson, Deputy Chief Management Officer Mr. Bill Booth and Major General Theresa Carter for a briefing on proposed personnel reductions at Joint Base Langley-Eustis in Hampton, Virginia. Today’s meeting followed a July 15th letter sent to by the Virginia delegation to the Secretary of the Air Force requesting a thorough briefing of the proposed personnel reductions, and the status of efforts to locate a new Air Force Installation and Mission Support Center (AFIMSC).

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) introduced a Senate version of H.R. 3361, the USA FREEDOM Act, which ends domestic bulk collection and reforms the government’s surveillance of United States citizens. On May 22, 2014, the House of Representatives passed the USA FREEDOM Act by a vote of 302-121. Senator Leahy’s version of the bill includes a new definition of “specific selection term” that addresses many of the concerns aimed at the House-passed compromise legislation. “Senator Leahy’s introduction of the USA FREEDOM Act reinforces our commitment to protecting the civil liberties and rights of all Americans.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Robert C. "Bobby" Scott issued the following statement on today's decision by a three judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit upholding the district court's decision in Bostic v. Rainey, which ruled Virginia's same-sex marriage ban unconstitutional: "I applaud the Fourth Circuit for upholding the lower court's decision in Bostic v. Rainey. This decision is based on sound legal reasoning consistent with a growing list of decisions by courts all over the country, beginning with the Supreme Court's 1967 decision in Loving v. Virginia.