Issues
Chesapeake Bay
As a co-chair of the Congressional Chesapeake Bay Watershed Caucus, Congressman Scott believes the Chesapeake Bay is one America's greatest treasures and that it is vital that we protect and preserve the Bay for future generations.
Civil Rights
Congressman Scott is an ardent defender of civil rights. Although America has made great strides in civil rights in the past few decades, current events have shown that we still have a long way to go. The current threats to civil rights are not the explicit actions our predecessors may have seen and experienced. Instead, they are subtle actions that, if allowed to continue, could threaten our rights and lives in the future.
Economy and Jobs
We all know that the current economic climate has taken a toll on many families across the nation and that the economy has been slow to recover from the deep recession. Congressman Scott believes the best long-term way we can create jobs and get people back to work is investing in education and training, beginning with early education and continuing through college or vocational education, as well as adult education and training.
Education
As the Ranking Member of the Committee on Education and the Workforce, Congressman Scott believes that if we are going to properly prepare our country's youth for their future, we must ensure that we are giving them the fundamental tools necessary to grow into skillful and productive members of the workforce, starting from the beginning of childhood.
Energy & Environment
Protecting and conserving our environment is one of Congressman Scott's top priorities. Throughout his time in public office, Congressman Scott has consistently received high marks and awards from national environmental organizations, including the Sierra Club, the League of Conservation Voters, and the National Parks Conservation Association.
Faith-Based Initiative
Religious organizations have long been recepients of federal funds. However, since the advent of the Faith-Based Initiative, the responsibilities of faith-based organizations to adhere to basic civil rights policies has been eroded. The Faith-Based Initiative has allowed organizations to cirumvent existing law and discriminate in their hiring practices, on the basis of religion.
Federal Budget
Congressman Scott supports reducing our budget deficit and balancing the federal budget, but not at the expense of cutting vital government functions, such as defense, education, transportation, Social Security and Medicare.
Gun Safety
Congressman Scott is a vice-chair of the House Democratic Caucus Gun Violence Prevention Task Force, which was convened by House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi in response to the tragic mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newton, Connecticut.
Health Care
On March 23, 2010, President Obama signed into law the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, commonly referred to as Obamacare. While a strong supporter of a single-payer health care system, Congressman Scott tirelessly worked with his colleagues in Congress to pass the Affordable Care Act. Four years later, the law's provisions are improving the lives of millions of people in the Commonwealth of Virginia and across the United States.
Immigration
Congressman Scott supports fair and humane immigration policies that will keep our borders secure and our citizens safe, assure that those who are fleeing violence and oppression are not thrust back into danger, prevent families from being ripped apart, promote a flourishing economy, and treat all individuals who attempt to enter into our country with respect and dignity.
Social Security
Social Security is one of the most successful and important government programs ever enacted. For well over 75 years, Social Security has been giving seniors and their families peace of mind and economic stability. Congressman Scott is adamantly opposed to cutting Social Security to balance the budget or offset the cost of tax cuts.
Shipbuilding
The 3rd Congressional District is home to Newport News Shipbuilding, the Norfolk Naval Shipyard, and many small and medium sized ship repair yards. Congressman Scott is honored to represent thousands of the nation's best shipbuilders. In Congress, Congressman Scott is a proud and active member of the bipartisan Congressional Shipbuilding Caucus. He has worked with his colleagues on both sides of the aisle to support shipbuilding and our nation's shipbuilders in Congress.
Trade
Below are statements Congressman Scott has released on Trade Promotion Authority and the Trans Pacific Partnership.
Voting Rights
Congressman Scott believes that voting is the very foundation of our democracy. To underscore his belief, he often quotes the Supreme Court's decision in Wesberry v. Sanders (1964), where the Court states: