Bobby Scott

Smart policies, like those we heard advocated for a little earlier in this hearing from our two senators and by Congressman Cummings and others on this committee, allow us to do both.

Unfortunately, our new attorney general, Attorney General Jeff Sessions, seems to want to turn back the clock on policies we feel failed in the past and reimpose the imposition of extreme sentences for low-level and non-violent crimes.

I believe that those are some of the reasons why black men, men like myself, are incarcerated at a rate six times higher than men that look like you.

More black and brown children grow up in poverty. More do not graduate from high school.

What is the best way for us to reduce recidivism? To ensure people from all walks of life and from every single community have access to opportunity.

Criminal justice reform is a critical topic facing our nation as a whole.

I want to thank Senator Booker, who has been my friend and champion on a number of issues...

I thank the gentlewoman, and I have to point out that, after redistricting last year, I no longer represent the Richmond area.

This bill was unanimously reported by the committee. It has nearly unanimous support from business groups, educators, and community stakeholders, so I urge my colleagues to support the bill.

I thank my Virginia colleagues for their leadership, and I urge my colleagues to support the resolution. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

I thank, again, the gentleman from Minnesota for his leadership. I urge my colleagues to support the bill. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

I think cases like that, cases like Hobby Lobby, that allow for, as you described, sincerely held religious beliefs to be used to frankly discriminate or to exclude opens a dangerous door.

I understand the EEOC is appealing a ruling of the Federal District Court in Michigan regarding the Religious Freedom Restoration Act and how it can possibly override Title VII.

The criminal justice system as we have discussed has a disproportionate impact on people of color because they are overrepresented in that system for a number of reasons, historically.

If we are going to criticize the priorities like individual cases, the value of class actions, and the various priorities, it seems to me we ought to invite a representative of the EEOC to explain their position.

I remind my colleague that his vote for this bill could take away protections for preexisting conditions from almost 6 million people in California who would have access to coverage. Those with diabetes could see their premiums go up by…

I remind my colleague that his vote for this bill can take away protections for over 800,000 people with preexisting conditions in Louisiana. For example, those with breast cancer could see their premiums go up by over $34,000. Mr…

I remind my colleague that his vote for this bill could take away protections of over 4.5 million people with preexisting conditions in Texas who might have access to coverage, but if they have diabetes, their rates could go up $5,000. Mr…

I remind my colleague that his vote for this healthcare bill will take away protections for over 600,000 people in Oregon with preexisting conditions. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from California (Mr. Takano). (Mr. TAKANO…

I remind my colleague that his vote for this bill could take healthcare protections away from over a million people in Tennessee with preexisting conditions. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from Oregon (Ms. Bonamici), the…

In the meanwhile, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from Illinois (Ms. Schakowsky).

I would like to ask the gentlewoman to show where in the bill the penalties are actually more than they are today?

I urge my colleagues to vote ``no'' on this legislation, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Last year, 325,000 Americans serving through AmeriCorps and SeniorCorps invested 155 million hours of service to their communities.

I remind my colleague that his vote for this bill will result in making things worse by 58,600 people in his district losing their healthcare coverage and care. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Wilson).