Committee on Education and the Workforce Democrats

Happy Fourth of July! Let’s recommit to defending our freedoms and the promise of America.

Extreme heat in the workplace is not just about being uncomfortable on a hot day. When combined with heavy workloads, clothing, and high humidity, excessive heat can lead to illnesses, injuries, and sometimes death.

Read Congressman Bobby Scott's full statement: https://democrats-edworkforce.house.gov/media/press-releases/ranking-member-scott-applauds-biden-administration-for-protecting-workers-from-extreme-heat

Today President Joe Biden announced several actions to address extreme heat, including an upcoming OSHA proposed rule to establish the first-ever federal safety standard addressing excessive heat in the workplace.

The proposed rule includes requirements for identifying heat hazards, developing heat illness and emergency response plans, providing training to employees and supervisors, and implementing work practice standards — including rest breaks, access to shade and water, and heat acclimatization for new employees. OSHA projects the rule would affect approximately 36 million workers and substantially reduce heat injuries, illnesses and deaths in the workplace.

Read more: https://www.dol.gov/newsroom/releases/osha/osha20240702

Overtime pay is more than just extra cash. It's more opportunities for American families to provide for their loved ones and save for the future. 📈

President Joe Biden's new rule is a major step for everyday workers.

Next, let's .

SCOTUS has taken a wrecking ball to the regulatory systems we have relied on for 40+ years.

Agency interpretation of vague laws is necessary to ensure our food and medication are safe for consumption, workplaces are safe, student borrowers are not defrauded, and so much more.

Read Ranking Member Congressman Bobby Scott's full statement.

https://democrats-edworkforce.house.gov/media/press-releases/ranking-member-scott-on-scotus-striking-down-chevron-deference

While the women of Idaho can breathe a sigh of relief today, the Supreme Court has senselessly declined to affirm the universal right to emergency medical care.

My statement:

Today marks 86 years since the the Fair Labor Standards Act was signed into law which is a testament to progress in the workplace rights. As we celebrate how far we've come, we must also focus on the path ahead, ensuring every worker thrives with dignity and respect.

It has been two years since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade.

From life-saving abortions to IVF, Congressional Democrats are committed to protecting your reproductive rights.

Read more:

What two years without Roe looks like 8 charts that show how Americans are confronting a whole new reality of patchwork abortion access after the Supreme Court's decision

The required that health care insurers cover preventive care without any cost-sharing, such as deductibles or copays.

This coverage has been enormously consequential in improving access to care for millions of Americans, and it is critical that this protection be preserved.

BREAKING: Fifth Circuit Protects Preventive Care Nationwide in Braidwood Case Ruling, Yet Lifesaving Services Remain At Risk — Protect Our Care MAGA Fifth Circuit Upholds Nationwide Protections But Rules Extremist Plaintiffs Not Required to Cover Preventive Care Washington, DC — Today, the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals upheld nationwide coverage of the...

We must do more to protect student athletes on and off the field.

A new report details how student athletes are uniquely vulnerable to sexual harassment and violence - and how colleges, coaches, and Congress can work together to prevent it.

New Government Watchdog Report on Sexual Harassment and Violence in College Athletics | Education & The Workforce Committee Democrats Education & The Workforce Committee Democrats

ICYMI: This week, President Joe Biden signed the bipartisan Missing Children’s Assistance Reauthorization Act into law—a crucial step in protecting children from online exploitation and supporting families.

Learn more here ⤵️
https://democrats-edworkforce.house.gov/media/press-releases/house-and-senate-leaders-applaud-bipartisan-bill-to-support-missing-and-exploited-children-becoming-law

READ NOW: and urge to improve health plan transparency after reports of widespread benefit denials.

Workers deserve transparency about their benefits and access to the critical care they need.

No one should have to go hungry – including students. Summer is a great break for everyone but when school isn’t in session, students who rely on school for food, miss out. Thank you, Committee on Education and the Workforce Democrats, for your work on summer nutrition.

See their work here: https://ow.ly/9g1650ShreO

We are committed to ensuring excellence for all students and commend the for today’s report ensuring ELL students, especially those with disabilities, are afforded the same opportunities to meet and exceed English proficiency standards along their academic journeys.
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Estamos comprometidos a garantizar la excelencia para todos los estudiantes y felicitamos a por el informe de hoy que garantiza que los estudiantes ELL, especialmente aquellos con discapacidades, tengan las mismas oportunidades para cumplir y superar los estándares de dominio del inglés a lo largo de su trayectoria académica.

School’s out! In the hot summer months, our kids still need nutritious meals. 🏫🍎

A new report from the Committee details how summer feeding programs are key to bridging the gap between school years and keeping students healthy and ready to learn. Read more here:

democrats-edworkforce.house.gov

NEW: 📈 According to today’s job report, the economy added another 272,000 jobs under President Joe Biden!

This is what happens when you are committed to building our economy from the bottom up ⬆️ and middle out.➡️

Ranking Member Scott Statement on the May Jobs Report | Education & The Workforce Committee Democrats Education & The Workforce Committee Democrats

💰🚫 Wage theft isn't just sneaky, it's soaring!

From underpaid hours to denied benefits, it's the silent giants robbing hardworking Americans.
It's time to amplify the conversation and demand fair pay for every hour worked! 💼✊

Employers steal billions from workers’ paychecks each year: Survey data show millions of workers are paid less than the minimum wage, at significant cost to taxpayers and state economies This report assesses the prevalence and magnitude of one form of wage theft—minimum wage violations (workers being paid at an effective hourly rate below the binding minimum wage)—in the 10 most populous U.S. states. We find that, in these states, 2.4 million workers lose $8 billion annually (an...

Happy ! Here’s to acceptance, equality, and love without fear. 🏳️‍🌈

Higher education should be a ticket to the middle class – not a barrier to opportunity.

By canceling roughly 10 percent of student borrowers' loans, is keeping his promise and helping nearly 4.8 million Americans breathe easier and save for their future.

Read more:

Biden Widens Student Loan Relief to More Than 10% of Borrowers More than one in 10 Americans with federal student loans have been approved for some measure of debt relief under President Joe Biden, the White House said, as it announced a new round of forgiveness.

Teachers are the unsung heroes of our society — supporting and shaping the next generation of leaders.

This Teacher Appreciation Week, be sure to thank the teachers who inspired you.

Nurses are the backbone of healthcare. Their compassion and service keep us, our loved ones, and our community safe and healthy.

To our frontline heroes, thank you.
Happy National Nurses Week!

AANHPI communities are deeply rooted in the history of the US.

This month, we recognize the leadership of our AANHPI champions who tirelessly fight to safeguard the rights of students, workers, and families against Republicans' extreme agenda.

Weak or nonexistent labor laws give bad actors 𝙖 𝙨𝙡𝙖𝙥 𝙤𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙬𝙧𝙞𝙨𝙩 and fail to protect workers and children from exploitation.

NEW: Committee report reveals how it *𝙥𝙖𝙮𝙨* for unscrupulous employers to violate worker protections.

📘Read here: https://democrats-edworkforce.house.gov/media/press-releases/ranking-member-scott-releases-new-report-on-the-ineffectiveness-of-current-labor-penalties

In May 2021, Congressman Bobby Scott and Patty Murray asked the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to investigate Target Date Funds (or TDFs), popular retirement investment options for millions of workers. Scott and Murray wanted to ensure investors understood TDFs and whether they were working as intended.

Today, the GAO released a report suggesting the U.S. Department of Labor should update its guidance to ensure TDFs are better understood.

401(k) Retirement Plans: Department of Labor Should Update Guidance on Target Date Funds Target date funds are a 401(k) option that allocate assets based on when participants plan to retire. These funds put more in higher risk investments...

For too many individuals, discrimination remains a key barrier to health care access.

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services's final rule will help address these barriers and fulfill the intent of the Affordable Care Act.

HHS Issues New Rule to Strengthen Nondiscrimination Protections and Advance Civil Rights in Health Care The Office for Civil Rights (OCR) and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a final rule under Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act (ACA)

Farmworkers are some of the most vulnerable workers in America.

Thanks to the U.S. Department of Labor new rule, H-2A workers will be empowered to stand up to some of the biggest challenges they face – such as employer retaliation, unsafe working conditions, and illegal recruitment practices.

US Department of Labor finalizes farmworker protection rule The .gov means it’s official. Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Equal pay is not just a women’s issue. Gender-based pay discrimination hurts families & our economy.

Women continue to be paid less than their male counterparts, equaling a combined total of roughly $1.6 trillion every year.

We will always fight for for equal work.