Bobby Scott

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Robert C. Scott

Robert "Bobby" Cortez Scott is a Democratic member of the U.S. House of Representatives representing the 3rd Congressional District of Virginia.

Scott began serving his tenth term as a Member of Congress on January 5, 2011. Prior to serving in the U.S. House of Representatives, Rep. Scott served in the Virginia House of Delegates from 1978 to 1983 and in the Senate of Virginia from 1983 to 1993.[1]

Background

Rep. Scott was born on April 30, 1947 in Washington, D.C. and grew up in Newport News, Virginia. He is a graduate of Harvard College and Boston College Law School. After graduating from law school, he returned to Newport News and practiced law from 1973 to 1991. He received an honorable discharge for his service in the Massachusetts National Guard and the United States Army Reserve.

Rep. Scott is a member of St. Augustine's Episcopal Church in Newport News and is a member of many professional, community and civic boards and organizations.[2]

Congress

In November 1992, Rep. Scott was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives. Through this election, Rep. Scott made history by becoming the first African American elected to Congress from the Commonwealth of Virginia since Reconstruction and only the second African American elected to Congress in Virginia’s history. Having a maternal grandfather of Filipino ancestry also gives Rep. Scott the distinction of being the first American with Filipino ancestry to serve as a voting member of Congress.

In his 18 years in Congress, Rep. Scott has become known as a champion of the U.S. Constitution and the Bill of Rights, fighting to protect the rights and civil liberties of all Americans. For example, in 1997, he protected the right of all children with disabilities to obtain a free and appropriate education under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) by leading a successful effort to defeat amendments aimed at curtailing that right for some children. Another example is a bill Rep. Scott sponsored, the Death in Custody Reporting Act, which requires states and localities to report information regarding the death of any person in the custody of law enforcement officials. It was signed into law by President Clinton on October 17, 2000. In 2010, Rep. Scott successfully led efforts in the House to pass the Fair Sentencing Act, which reduced the crack and powder cocaine sentencing disparity from a ratio of 100:1 to 18:1. Rep. Scott is also a leading critic against warrantless wiretapping and the leading opponent of efforts to permit employment discrimination in federally funded programs.[3]

Resolution condemning socialism

Fedrary 2, 2023 House Republicans moved a Resolution condemning socialism and certain dictators.

The Resolution began:

Whereas socialist ideology necessitates a concentration of power that has time and time again collapsed into Communist regimes, totalitarian rule, and brutal dictatorships;
Whereas socialism has repeatedly led to famine and mass murders, and the killing of over 100,000,000 people worldwide;
Whereas many of the greatest crimes in history were committed by socialist ideologues, including Vladimir Lenin, Joseph Stalin, Mao Zedong, Fidel Castro, Pol Pot, Kim Jong Il, Kim Jong Un, Daniel Ortega, Hugo Chavez, and Nicolás Maduro;[4]

Eighty six Democrats voted no. Forteen voted "present" and six didn't vote.[5]

Representative Bobby Scott voted "Nay".[6]

No to China committee

Sixty-five Democrats in the House of Representatives voted on Tuesday January 10, 2022, against creating a committee to investigate China and find ways to counter the communist country’s growing international influence.

The House overwhelmingly voted to create the Select Committee on the Strategic Competition Between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party on a 365 to 65 margin, in one of the first votes since the Republicans took control of the chamber.

However, even though some members did not vote, all 65 lawmakers who voted against the committee’s creation were Democrats, including Bobby Scott.

Congressional Progressive Caucus

In 1998 Robert Scott, Democrat was listed as a member of the Congressional Progressive Caucus.[7]

Congressional Black Caucus

Robert Scott is a member of the Congressional Black Caucus for the 113th Congress:[8]

Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus

In May 2013, Bobby Scott was listed as a member the Executive Board of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus.[9]

Effort to Stop Development Projects

Our Revolution Tefere Gebre1.png

Rep. Ro Khanna, Tefere Gebre of Greenpeace, Grace Tuttle of Protect Our Water, Heritage, Rights and Naadiya Hutchinson, Government Affairs Manager at WE ACT for Environmental Justice were listed as speakers for a "Special Town Hall" dated September 15, 2022 sponsored by Our Revolution. The meeting is to discuss strategies to stop the public from using strategic litigation to shut down development prjects. Our Revolution, Greenpeace, Protect Our Water, Heritage, Rights (POWHR) and WE ACT for Environmental Justice participated. In a mass email, Our Revolution linked to a letter signed by democrats to thwart development projects.

From the event invitation:[10]

"Our Revolution, America’s largest grassroots progressive organization, is partnering with Greenpeace USA to stop a looming threat to our communities and our planet. together, we are hosting a Town Hall to mobilize our networks of millions of members and hundreds of local chapters to stop a deal negotiated between Senator Joe Manchin, The American Petroleum Institute (API), and Democratic leadership to fast track permitting of fossil fuel extraction projects, leading to potential catastrophic climate impacts.
Join frontline communities and our allies in Congress to learn what you can do to help us stop Manchin's Dirty Deal!

From a mass email sent by Our Revolution dated September 12, 2022:

"Our Revolution is leading the charge alongside frontline communities and environmental justice groups like Greenpeace to kill Joe Manchin’s side deal for more dirty oil favors.

"Manchin is willing to shut down the government for more fossil fuel projects like the Mountain Valley Pipeline in WV and strip safeguards from impacted communities.

"Dems can’t celebrate “the biggest climate steps in history” while reversing them by caving to a literal coal baron.

"Our coalition of 650 organizations is urging Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer to detach the deal from the must-pass bill to fund the government — we cannot let Manchin hold us hostage!

"Bernie railed against it on the Senate floor this week and says he’ll vote it down, and Our Revolution is calling for a progressive mutiny in Congress.

"A coalition of 72 US House Reps have signed onto a letter[11] led by US Rep. Raul Grijalva - but we need more of our representatives in Congress to stand in opposition.

Bobby Scott signed the letter.

H.R. 950, the Job Creation and Infrastructure Restoration Act of 1997 was introduced in the 105th Congress on March 5, 1997 by Congressman Matthew Martinez of California. It had 33 original co-sponsors, including José Serrano. The primary purpose of this emergency federal jobs legislation was to provide much needed jobs at union wages to crisis ridden cities by putting the unemployed to work rebuilding our nation's infrastructure (schools, housing, hospitals, libraries, public transportation, highways, parks, environmental improvements, etc. $250 billion is authorized for emergency public works jobs over a five year period.

Congressman Martinez had previously introduced this bill in the last Congress (as HR 1591) at the the request of over 50 prominent Labor leaders who formed the Los Angeles Labor Coalition for Public Works Jobs, which is why it is often referred to as the "Martinez Public Works Jobs Bill."[12]

This is the most significant jobs legislation introduced in Congress since Franklin Delano Roosevelt's New Deal established the Works Progress Administration (WPA). This bill is the WPA-type program for today. It has strong provisions which will put hundreds of thousands of unemployed building trades workers to work as well as provide jobs for victims of plant closures, welfare recipients who are parents, youth, and the long term unemployed. The public works projects which will be established under this bill will be built in communities with the highest levels of unemployment and with the greatest needs.
The goal of the New York Coalition for Public Works Jobs is to build the movement to pass the Martinez Jobs bill as part of the National Labor Coalition for Public Works Jobs. You can help by asking your union, community organization, or local government body to to join those who have already passed resolutions to endorse the bill. Such a resolution has been introduced in the New York City Council. Calling on additional Congressional Representatives to co-sponsor the bill is very important. We will be organizing petition campaigns, visits to elected officials, and demonstrations and other actions for a public works jobs program.

The leaders of the Los Angeles Labor Coalition for Public Works Jobs and its only affiliate New York Coalition for Public Works Jobs, were all known supporters or members of the Communist Party USA.

Los Angeles , National Labor Coalition For Public Works Jobs

A New York affiliate, New York Coalition for Public Works Jobs, c/o Utility Workers Union of America Local 1-2.

Early supporter

In 1994, the Communist Party USA backed Martinez Jobs Bill (HR-4708), was co-sponsored by Democratic Party California Reps Howard Berman, Xavier Becerra, Lucille Roybal-Allard, Robert Scott (Va), Tom Foglietta (Pa), Bennie Thompson (Miss), John Lewis (Ga) and Ed Pastor (Az). Maxine Waters of California was a principal co-sponsor. [13]

DSA endorsement

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In July 1996, the Democratic Socialists of America Political Action Committee endorsed Robert C. Scott, Virginia 3 in that year's Congressional elections.[14]

Radical staffer

Amanda Leigh Armstrong was an adviser to Rep. Scott for several years up until 2017.

HR 109 endorser

By February 20 2019 endorsers of Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez's HR 109 (Green New Deal) included Bobby Scott.

Opposed Iraq War

Rep. Scott was an early and consistent opponent of the War in Iraq, having voted against the initial resolution authorizing President Bush to use force against Iraq.[15]

Peace Pledge Coalition

In 2007 90 Members of Congress, pledged in an open letter delivered to President Bush: "We will only support appropriating funds for U.S. military operations in Iraq during Fiscal Year 2008 and beyond for the protection and safe redeployment of all our troops out of Iraq before you leave office." The letter was initiated by the Peace Pledge Coalition. The Coalition was led by Tim Carpenter, Progressive Democrats of America, Bob Fertik, Democrats.com Medea Benjamin, CodePink, Bill Fletcher, co-founder of Center for Labor Renewal David Swanson, AfterDowningStreet.org, Democrats.com, Progressive Democrats of America, Kevin Zeese, Voters for Peace, Democracy Rising, Brad Friedman, co-founder of Velvet Revolution, Bill Moyer, Backbone Campaign.

Bobby Scott signed the letter.[16][17]

National Congress of Black Women Salutes Sojourner Truth

Dick Gregory:Rep. Bobby Scott, unknown, Julian Epstein

National Congress of Black Women’s Reception to Meet and Greet Honorary Chairs and Truth Commissioners, honoring Sojourner Truth was held at the NW Washington home of Julian Epstein, Wednesday June 6th, 2007.

Attendees included E. Faye Williams (National Congress of Black Women), Barbara Lang (Chamber of Commerce) Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, Eleanor Smeal, Kim Gandy, Alice Cohan, Dick Gregory, and Rep. Robert Scott.[18]

Voted against cutting funding for ACORN

In September 2009, following the lead of their Senate colleagues, the House of Representatives voted overwhelmingly to cut off funds to ACORN. the vote was 345-75. All of the 75 were Democrats, and included Bobby Scott. [19]

Socialist financial plan

Sept. 30, the day after the original bailout compromise went down in flames. The progressive Democrats placed a new plan—the “No BAILOUTS Act” (Bringing Accountability, Increased Liquidity, Oversight, and Upholding Taxpayer Security)—on the table that John Nichols of The Nation says “would impose a securities tax equivalent to one quarter of one percent of profits and empower the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation to deal more effectively with bank failures.”

The bill—sponsored by US Reps. Peter DeFazio(D-Ore.), Marcy Kaptur (D-Ohio), Robert Scott (D-Va.), Elijah Cummings and Donna Edwards (both D-Md.), Lloyd Doggett (D-Texas), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii) and Rush Holt, Jr.,(D NJ) —would change the way securities are valued, applying “an economic value standard to measure the capital of financial institutions,” as opposed to a market standard, an increase in the federal deposit insurance maximum and other accounting measures designed to create breathing room. It also would require the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation to purchase certificates that would be repaid.

“What I’m proposing is to use both market discipline and regulatory functions at virtually no cost to taxpayers to unclog the arteries of commerce so banks can begin lending again,’’ DeFazio said, according to The Oregonian.

In a letter introducing the plan, he said that Congress needed to “take swift, uncomplicated steps to ensure the financial markets return to working order. After that, we can work to resolve the housing crisis and pass effective job stimulus.”

Andy Stern, president of the Service Employees International Union, said the plan would “restore confidence in the financial markets without writing a blank check to the same Wall Street banks and CEOs who got us into this mess.”

“This is an important, short-term solution that protects taxpayers and their savings accounts,” he added. “To revive the economy over the long-term, we must address rising unemployment, stagnant wages, the healthcare crisis, and a tax system that is tilted in favor of the wealthy.”

DeFazio and the SEIU acknowledge that this is just the first step toward fixing the economy. Once a progressive rescue plan is in place, the Democrats create a rescue plan for homeowners facing foreclosure, enact a public works and green energy stimulus to get people working, fix the nation’s infrastructure and refocus the nation’s economy on sustainable principles. [20]

PDA contact

In 2013 Progressive Democrats of America assigned activists to deliver their material to almost every US Congressman and several Senators. Amelia Lightner, was assigned as contact for Rep. Scott. In June it was Brian Whitaker.[21][22]

In 2014 it was Vinton Gates.[23]

VARA connection

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Bobby Scott addressed the inaugural meeting of Virginia Alliance for Retired Americans, January 31, 2012.

ARA endorsement, 2012

The Alliance for Retired Americans endorsed Bobby Scott in 2012.[24]

ARA PAF endorsement, 2014

The Alliance for Retired Americans Political Action Fund endorsed Bobby Scott in 2014.[25]

Humanitarian Needs in Cuba letter

December 16 2021 , House Rules Committee Chair James McGovern (D-MA), House Foreign Affairs Committee Chair Gregory Meeks (D-NY), House Appropriations subcommittee on State and Foreign Operations Chair Barbara Lee (D-CA), and House Energy and Commerce subcommittee on Energy Chair Bobby Rush (D-IL) led 114 Members of Congress in a letter to President Biden asking him to prioritize the well-being of the Cuban people as they experience the worst economic and humanitarian crisis in recent history...

In the wake of this year’s protests, the members urged the administration to support the Cuban people by suspending U.S. regulations that prevent food, medicine, remittances, and other humanitarian assistance from reaching the Cuban people...

Signatories included Bobby Scott.[26]

Lifting travel ban on Cuba

A May 03, 2013 Press release from the radical controlled and Institute for Policy Studies affiliated Latin America Working Group's Cuba Team stated:

Due to your action/emails/phone calls we have 59 signatures from House representatives urging President Obama to support travel to Cuba by granting general licenses for ALL current categories of travel.
By eliminating the laborious license application process, especially for people-to-people groups, that is managed by the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), the majority of the bureaucratic red tape that holds up licensable travel to Cuba would disappear and actually facilitate what the President wanted to see in 2011, liberalized travel regulations.

Signatories included Rep. Robert C. Scott.[27]

Honorary Board Asian American Action Fund

Circa 2013, Bobby Scott served on the Honorary Board of the Asian American Action Fund;[28]

Nelson Mandela's funeral

In December 2013, the following Democratic legislators traveled to South Africa to attended Nelson Mandela's funeral Democrats Dels. Eleanor Holmes Norton (D.C.) and Donna Christensen (V.I.); and Democratic Reps. Marcia Fudge, John Conyers (Mich.), Charles Rangel (N.Y.), John Lewis, Jim McDermott (Wash.), Maxine Waters (Calif.), Bobby Scott (Va.), Mel Watt (N.C.), Sheila Jackson-Lee (Tex.), Elijah Cummings (Md.), Gregory Meeks (N.Y.), Barbara Lee (Calif.), G.K. Butterfield (N.C.), Gene Green (Tex.), Gwen Moore (Wis.), Yvette Clarke (N.Y.), Karen Bass (Calif.), Joyce Beatty (Ohio) and Terri Sewell (Ala.).[29]

Praising CAIR

“CAIR has also helped to strengthen the constitutional rights our society enjoys by defending the rights of American Muslims. These efforts are still important, as there is more work to be done to ensure that the civil rights that many have fought so hard to achieve are not curtailed in any way.”- Rep. Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (D-Va.) (August 2014) . [30]

“…CAIR has maintained its presence on the front lines of the struggle to ensure that all rights and civil liberties extend to every citizen within our country.”

Rep. Bobby Scott (D-Va.) (October 2015).

Bobby Scott for Senate

Boobyrscott.JPG

In 2016 The Collective PAC mounted a campaign to draft Bobby Scott for US Senate if Tim Kaine became Vice president.

Democratic Asian Americans of Virginia

Yasmine Taeb May 20, 2015:

Bobbyscottrew.JPG

Asian Pacific American Heritage Month festivities continue! Thank you to my colleagues at the Democratic Asian Americans of Virginia for organizing a phenomenal event tonight. It was a packed house! Many thanks to Congressmen Mike Honda, Mark Takai, and Congressman Bobby Scott for joining us. Thank you also to friends from the Arlington County Democratic Committee, Fairfax County Democratic Commitee... See More — with James T. Tsai, Mark Takai, Hung Nguyen, Dewita Soeharjono and Linh Hoangmeister at Minh's Vietnamese Restaurant.

Medicare For All Congressional Caucus founders

In August 2018 Medicare For All Congressional Caucus founding members included Representative Bobby Scott.

Medicare for All Act

In February 2019 Rep. Pramila Jayapal introduced H.R.1384 - Medicare for All Act of 2019. By May 29 she had 110 co-sponsors including Rep. Bobby Scott.

Staff

The following are past and present staff:[31]

External links

References

Template:Reflist

  1. ↑ http://www.bobbyscott.house.gov/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=267&Itemid=61, official Congressional bio, accessed Sept. 12, 2011]
  2. ↑ http://www.bobbyscott.house.gov/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=267&Itemid=61, official Congressional bio, accessed Sept. 12, 2011]
  3. ↑ http://www.bobbyscott.house.gov/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=267&Itemid=61, official Congressional bio, accessed Sept. 12, 2011]
  4. ↑ [1]
  5. ↑ [2]
  6. ↑ [3]
  7. ↑ DSA website: Members of the Progressive Caucus (archived on the Web Archive website)
  8. ↑ Congressional Black Caucus: Members (accessed on Feb. 24, 2011)
  9. ↑ Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus website, accessed May 1, 2013
  10. ↑ Archive Special TOWN HALL: Stop Manchin's Dirty Deal (accessed September 12, 2022)
  11. ↑ (accessed September 12, 2022)
  12. ↑ [4] The Job Creation and Infrastructure Restoration Act of 1997 (H.R. 950)From the New York State Communist Party 16 March 1997, email list, accessed June 14, 2010
  13. ↑ PWW Support for jobs bill grows, Evelina Alarcon, Oct. 1 1994, page 3
  14. ↑ Democratic Left, July/August 1996, page 21
  15. ↑ http://www.bobbyscott.house.gov/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=267&Itemid=61, official Congressional bio, accessed Sept. 12, 2011]
  16. ↑ War Is A Crime .org, Peace Pledge Coalition
  17. ↑ [http://www.democrats.com/peace-pledge Democrats.com. Sign the Pledge for Peace petition. Bob Fertik August 19, 2007
  18. ↑ [alcongressbw.org/sojournergathering.aspx, National Congress of Black Women Salutes Sojourner Truth, accessed May 26, 2013]
  19. ↑ [http://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2009/09/the_75_democrats_who_are_prose.html American Thinker, September 18, 2009 The 75 Democrats who are pro-sex slave ACORN defenders By Ethel C. Fenig]
  20. ↑ http://www.populist.com/08.19.kalet.html, Populists Stymie Wall Street, From The Progressive Populist, November 1, 2008,
  21. ↑ PDA May 2013 Educate Congress Digest Letter drops (191 in total – 105 in April )
  22. ↑ PDA June 2013 Educate Congress Digest
  23. ↑ PDA January 2014 Educate Congress Digest)
  24. ↑ PAF
  25. ↑ PAF
  26. ↑ [5]
  27. ↑ Update on Cuba Travel: We Gathered 59 Signatures, The LAWG Cuba Team: Mavis, Emily and Karina on May 03, 2013
  28. ↑ American Action Fund
  29. ↑ The WaPo, Nelson Mandela memorial: Who’s in attendance, By Terri Rupar December 10, 2013
  30. ↑ [https://www.cair.com/images/pdf/What-They-Say-About-CAIR.pdf What They Say About CAIR (October 2014)
  31. ↑ http://www.legistorm.com/member/468/Rep_Bobby_Scott_VA.html. Accessed 12/16/2011
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