Bobby Scott

Mr. SCOTT of Virginia

Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Madam Speaker, every investment in the Build Back Better Act addresses an urgent challenge facing families, workers, and our economy. Within the jurisdiction of the Education and Labor Committee, this proposal makes childcare more affordable and invests in securing free, universal, and high-quality preschool for 3- and 4-year-olds. These provisions will give millions of parents the opportunity to reenter the workforce without having to worry that their children are safe. The Build Back Better Act makes nearly 9 million more children eligible for free school meals and invests in helping more children get healthy nutrition over the summer. It lowers the cost of higher education by increasing the value of Pell grants and making another major investment in historically Black colleges and universities and minority-serving institutions. The bill invests in high-quality job training programs so that workers can build their skills and increase their paychecks, and it will help employers find the skilled workers they need to grow their businesses. It shields workers from wage theft, unsafe workplaces, and violations of their right to organize by strengthening enforcement and increasing penalties for companies that break the law. And it funds service opportunities and job training programs that will help protect our communities from the climate crisis. The Build Back Better Act strengthens programs that provide vital services to millions of older Americans and Americans with disabilities. It lowers the cost of prescription drugs, particularly insulin. Madam Speaker, any of these provisions individually would meaningfully improve the lives of our constituents, but taken together, this historic proposal will lower costs for nearly every family, create millions of good-paying jobs, and set a strong foundation for the future of this country. It is fully paid for by making corporations and the wealthiest pay their fair share. Madam Speaker, I hope my colleagues will join me in supporting the Build Back Better Act and taking a critical step toward a monumental victory for the American people.

Mr. SCOTT of Virginia

Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, thank you today, the House has an opportunity to support older workers by passing H.R. 3992, the Protect Older Job Applicants Act, introduced by Representative Garcia of Texas. While Americans are working later in life than ever before, many older workers are finding that their experience can count against them when applying for new jobs. Research shows that three-fourths of workers age 45 and older say age discrimination has eroded their confidence in finding a new job, and more than 40 percent of older job applicants have been asked for age-related information in the hiring process. For more than half a century, older workers and older job applicants who face age discrimination were equally protected under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, or A-D-E-A. Earlier this year, House Republicans and Democrats came together to pass the Protecting Older Workers Against Discrimination Act, which strengthens protections for workers who allege disparate treatment based on age under the A-D-E-A. Unfortunately, recent decisions in the Seventh and Eleventh Federal Circuit Courts have excluded job applicants from seeking recourse under the disparate impact provision of the A-D-E-A, even while maintaining that same protection for current employees. This means older job applicants in the Seventh and Eleventh Circuits can only challenge age discrimination in hiring when they prove that an employer intended to discriminate based on age. They are unable to challenge hiring practices that appear neutral, but, in fact, result in a disproportionate, harmful impact on older workers. Unfortunately, the Supreme Court declined to grant review of this matter. Therefore, it is up to Congress to clarify what has otherwise been the law of the land with regard to the coverage of job applicants under the A-D-E-A. Current law provides recourse for job applicants in most jurisdictions, but not all. By amending the A-D-E-A, this legislation clarifies that older job applicants across the country can effectively seek justice when they are harmed by age discrimination in hiring. The Administration issued a Statement of Administration Policy in support of this legislation. It states in part: ``Workplace age discrimination, including at the application stage, prevents people from fully accessing the American dream and limits the contributions that they can make to our shared prosperity. Ensuring equitable access to employment is a priority for the Administration. The Administration supports this legislation that protects older job applicants.''

Mr. SCOTT of Virginia

Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Mrvan) who is a distinguished member of the Committee on Education and Labor.

Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Madam Speaker, pursuant to House Resolution 716, I call up the bill (H.R. 2119) to amend the Family Violence Prevention and Services Act to make improvements, and ask for its immediate consideration.

Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and insert extraneous materials on H.R. 2119.

Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Madam Speaker, I yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Cohen), the chair of the Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights, and Civil Liberties.

Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, I rise today to urge support for the bipartisan Family Violence Prevention and Services Improvement Act of 2021 introduced by the gentlewoman from Georgia (Mrs. McBath), the gentleman from Alaska (Mr. Young), the gentlewoman from Wisconsin (Ms. Moore), and the gentleman from New York (Mr. Katko). Before I continue, I want to encourage anyone struggling with intimate partner violence to reach out to the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE or the StrongHearts Native Helpline at 1-844-7NATIVE. Madam Speaker, it is difficult to overstate the need to address intimate partner violence in this country. Roughly 1 in 4 women and nearly 1 in 10 men reported experiencing some sort of intimate partner violence. These incidents often cause severe physical injuries that portend even graver consequences, including the tragic loss of life. For survivors of violence, emotional trauma and intimate partner violence often last long after the physical injuries have healed, triggering lifelong struggles with disease and mental health challenges. For decades, the Family Violence Prevention and Services Act has been a central pillar in our response to domestic violence, authorizing services like shelters and 24-hour domestic violence hotlines. Regrettably, these programs have been technically expired since the end of 2015. Although funding has continued, updates to the law have been long overdue. For example, we know that the COVID-19 pandemic has increased the risk of intimate partner violence and restricted access to critical services for survivors. H.R. 2119 strengthens our fight in this public health crisis by updating the Family Violence Prevention and Services Act in two important ways. First, it prioritizes equity by expanding funding to reach communities that have disproportionately high rates of intimate partner violence but limited access to services. Second, it invests more in prevention so we can avert the physical danger and emotional trauma that survivors experience before it occurs. These updates represent the next steps we must take not only to support the survivors who need it most, but also to prevent intimate partner violence from harming our communities. Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support the legislation, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Madam Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentlewoman from Georgia (Mrs. McBath), the lead sponsor of the legislation.

Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Madam Speaker, I yield an additional 1 minute to the gentlewoman from Georgia.

Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Madam Speaker, I yield an additional 1 minute to the gentlewoman from Texas.

Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Madam Speaker, pursuant to section 3 of House Resolution 716, I rise to offer amendments en bloc No. 2.

Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from Oregon (Ms. Bonamici), the chair of the Subcommittee on Civil Rights and Human Services.

Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from North Carolina (Ms. Manning), who is a distinguished member of the Committee on Education and Labor.

Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from Pennsylvania (Ms. Wild), who is a distinguished member of the Committee on Education and Labor.

Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from North Carolina (Ms. Adams), who is the chair of the Subcommittee on Workforce Protections.

Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from Illinois (Ms. Newman).

Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from Pennsylvania (Ms. Dean).

Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Green).

Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Madam Speaker, I include in the Record a Statement of Administration Policy in support of the legislation. Statement of Administration Policy H.R. 2119--Family Violence Prevention and Services Improvement Act of 2021--Rep. McBath, D-GA, and 83 cosponsors The Administration strongly supports House passage of H.R. 2119, the Family Violence Prevention and Services Improvement Act of 2021. Congress first enacted the Family Violence Prevention and Services Act (FVPSA) in 1984 to provide resources to address domestic violence as a public health issue and to support life-saving services and prevention programs throughout the nation. FVPSA, last reauthorized in 2010, allocates funding to states and territories that reaches over 1,500 domestic violence shelters and services programs, as well as funding for over 240 tribes and tribal organizations, to address and prevent domestic violence and dating violence. FVPSA also provides funding for a network of state and territorial domestic violence coalitions, the National Domestic Violence Hotline, and national technical assistance providers that provide training and capacity building to ensure that vital services and support are available to individuals experiencing domestic violence and their children. Additionally, FVPSA funds the DELTA program, which provides funds to design, implement, and evaluate innovative domestic violence and dating violence prevention models. As a result of FVPSA funding, each year approximately 1.3 million survivors receive critical services such as emergency shelter, crisis counseling, safety planning, assistance in seeking an order of protection, and assistance recovering from financial abuse and addressing housing insecurity. Nonetheless, research demonstrates that the need for services continues to outpace availability and many survivors are unable to access critical services and support. Furthermore, the COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated economic insecurity, increased isolation, and compounded barriers faced by victims and survivors in seeking safety and stability, particularly for those from historically marginalized communities. H.R. 2119 is a bipartisan bill that will authorize increased funding to strengthen existing services while expanding access to tribes and tribal coalitions, culturally- specific programs, and other underserved communities. It will also expand investments in domestic violence prevention by increasing support for existing evidence-based, community projects and by funding new initiatives to reach more communities nationwide. The Administration urges swift passage of this legislation.

Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Madam Speaker, I include in the Record a letter from the family violence prevention working group, a coalition of national organizations working on domestic violence issues. September 20, 2021. Rep. Nancy Pelosi, Speaker of the House, House of Representatives, Washington,

Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Jackson Lee), chair of the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security.

Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. I yield the gentlewoman an additional 1 minute.

Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Madam Speaker, I am prepared to close. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Madam Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time. Madam Speaker, I have to respond to a comment about the budget. I would point out and remind everyone that since the 1960s, every Democratic President has ended an administration with a better deficit situation than they inherited, without exception. And every Republican administration has ended their administration with a worse deficit situation than they inherited, without exception. The last President was well on his way to fulfilling that trend before the pandemic. The Build Back Better and the transportation plans are in the process of being paid for so they will not be adding to the deficit. Madam Speaker, each person in this Chamber should agree that we must do more to address intimate partner violence in this country. The critical services for survivors under the Family Violence Prevention and Services Act have now expired, have been expired for more than 5 years, and are in urgent need of updates. During the pandemic, many survivors have been isolated with their abusers, while the gaps in our response to domestic violence have been exacerbated. This is not the time for Congress to stand by while our communities continue to endure the far-reaching and lifelong impacts of this public health crisis. Now is the time for Congress to take action. As we face new challenges during the pandemic, we must ensure that survivors in our most vulnerable communities have access to the support services they need. We must prioritize effective prevention strategies that stop intimate partner violence from occurring in the first place. Madam Speaker, each of us has the responsibility to do our part to fight against domestic violence. The bill before us is an opportunity to come together and reaffirm our commitment to supporting survivors and preventing all Americans from suffering the devastating consequences of intimate partner violence. I want to thank all the bipartisan sponsors for their leadership and for their work to pass this urgent legislation. I urge my colleagues to support the Family Violence Prevention and Services Improvement Act of 2021, and I yield back the balance of my time.