Press Releases
Miller Statement on Sentence of Ex-Mine Security Head of the Upper Big Branch Mine
03.01.12 WASHINGTON - Rep. George Miller (D-CA), the senior Democrat on the House Education and the Workforce, issued the following statement after the ex-mine security chief of Massey Energy’s Upper Big Branch mine was sentenced to three years for lying to investigators about giving advanced notice for impending mine safety inspections and for ordering the destruction of evidence. “This conviction and sentence in West Virginia should send a strong message that those who break the law and put miners’… Continue Reading
Despite Opposition Raised By Education, Civil Rights & Business Communities, Committee Republicans Push Through Radical Bill to Rewrite Nation’s Education Law
02.28.12 WASHINGTON - On a partisan vote, House Education and the Workforce Committee Republicans today pushed through highly partisan legislation, H.R. 3989 and H.R. 3990, that would turn the clock back decades on equity and accountability in American public education. The bills approved today would dismantle the federal role in education and the core principals of equal opportunity incorporated into federal policy since 1965. U.S. Rep. George Miller (D-CA) argued in opposition to the Republican b… Continue Reading
Washington Republicans continue attack on workers’ rights
02.16.12 WASHINGTON - Rep. George Miller (D-CA), the senior Democrat on the House Education and the Workforce Committee, issued the following statement today after House and Senate Republicans announced that they are introducing legislation to block a recent National Labor Relations Board rule that reduces the amount of wasteful pre-election maneuvering used by some employers to delay or deny workers’ right to a secret ballot election. “Washington Republicans are once again pushing anti-worker specia… Continue Reading
Republicans Continue to Ignore Grave Concerns that Education Bills Abandon Commitment to Students, Schools and Taxpayers
02.16.12 WASHINGTON -Witnesses testified today that legislation proposed by committee Republicans to rewrite the nation's education law will turn back the clock on decades of advancement in education. "As members of Congress, it's our job to update the law to reflect current best practice and protect kids in the process. Through a rewrite of ESEA, we can alter roles. We can increase flexibility. But we cannot abandon the principles of equity and accountability if we want to uphold the promise of Bro… Continue Reading
Miller: Obama’s community college proposal will ensure American workers remain globally competitive
02.13.12 WASHINGTON - Rep. George Miller (D-CA), the senior Democrat on the House Education and the Workforce Committee, issued the following statement today after President Obama presented his fiscal year 2013 budget to Congress and proposed a new partnership between community colleges and local businesses to help connect workers with jobs in demand. "President Obama's budget proposal released today addresses the real challenges facing our nation. By making smart investments today, we can continue to m… Continue Reading
Miller, Hinojosa Urge Action to Prevent Student Loan Interest Rate Increase
02.10.12 WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Reps. George Miller (D-CA), the senior Democrat on the House Committee on Education and the Workforce, and Rubén Hinojosa (D-TX), the senior Democrat on the Higher Education and Workforce Training Subcommittee, today sent a letter to Chairman John Kline (R-MN) urging action to prevent the student loan interest rate hike that is scheduled to take effect in July. “This July, more than 7 million undergraduate students will see the interest rates on their need-based student … Continue Reading
Miller Statement on Republican Education Proposals
02.09.12 WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Rep. George Miller (D-Calif.), the senior Democrat on the House Committee on Education and the Workforce, issued the following statement today after Chairman Kline announced his intentions to advance highly partisan legislation to rewrite the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), currently known as No Child Left Behind (NCLB). “I’m disappointed that Chairman Kline continues to pursue the partisan path on reauthorizing ESEA. This is not a path forward, only a… Continue Reading
Miller Statement on Obama Administration NCLB Flexibility Announcement
02.09.12 WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Rep. George Miller (D-Calif.), the senior Democrat on the House Committee on Education and the Workforce, issued the following statement today after the Obama Administration announced that ten states would be granted flexibility from certain parts of No Child Left Behind (NCLB) in exchange for adopting reforms that include college and career ready standards, new accountability, school improvement systems and meaningful teacher and school leader evaluations. The first t… Continue Reading
House GOP continues its misguided attacks on workers’ rights, ignores calls to work together on jobs
02.07.12 WASHINGTON - Despite calls from a bipartisan panel of governors last week to work together on job creation, House Education and the Workforce Committee Republicans instead held their 6th hearing attacking the National Labor Relations Board. “Last week’s hearing showed us that there are real opportunities where we can work together to rebuild our economy and reignite the American Dream…But that’s not what this hearing is about,” said Rep. George Miller (D-CA), the senior Democrat on the commi… Continue Reading
Video: Protect American Airline workers, retirees and taxpayers, Miller says at pension hearing today
02.02.12 WASHINGTON - At a hearing today with PBGC Director Joshua Gotbaum, Rep. George Miller (D-CA), the senior Democrat on the House Committee on Education and the Workforce, urged the agency to protect American Airline workers, retirees and taxpayers. Yesterday, American Airlines announced that it intended to terminate the company’s pension plans. This would be the largest pension termination in history. Miller said that the PBGC should learn from its mistakes in the United Airlines bankruptcy in 200… Continue Reading
Bipartisan Panel of Governors Send Message to House GOP: Move Forward on Jobs, Not Political Divisiveness
02.01.12 WASHINGTON - A bipartisan panel of governors urged members of the House Education and the Workforce Committee today to work together on job creation and put divisive issues aside. The governors agreed that there are ways to help create jobs in their states, including increased investments in infrastructure, and workforce and career training. “We do need to invest more in our nation’s infrastructure,” said Gov. Rick Snyder (R-MI). Gov. Daniel Malloy (D-CT) agreed. “I’m quite certain if you s… Continue Reading
Miller asks pension agency to protect American Airline retirees, employees and U.S. taxpayers
02.01.12 WASHINGTON - Rep. George Miller (D-CA), the senior Democrat on the House Committee on Education and the Workforce, asked the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation today to avoid a potential termination of American Airlines' pension plan that may leave taxpayers on the hook and threaten the retirement security of thousands of current and future American Airline retirees. "Termination should only be a last resort and not part of any business strategy to exploit the bankruptcy process and dump pen… Continue Reading
Miller Statement on Streamlined Process for Public Service Loan Forgiveness
01.31.12 WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Rep. George Miller (D-CA), the senior Democrat on the House Education and the Workforce Committee, issued the following statement today after U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan announced a new, streamlined application process for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program. Eligible public service workers' outstanding qualified federal student loan balances will be canceled after ten years of on-time loan payments. "I applaud Secretary Duncan for making it easier … Continue Reading
Rep. George Miller Statement on President Obama’s Higher Education Proposal
01.27.12 WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Rep. George Miller (D-CA), the senior Democrat on the House Education and the Workforce Committee, issued the following statement today after President Obama announced details of the administration's proposal to keep college affordable and within reach for all Americans. "Americans now owe more in student loan debt than credit card debt. Affording a higher education shouldn't be a luxury. The federal government invests billions of dollars in student aid each year, and i… Continue Reading
Miller Requests DOJ Investigation into NLRB Member Hayes and his Discussions with Firm after IG Uncovers Troubling Evidence
01.26.12 WASHINGTON - Rep. George Miller (D-CA), the senior Democrat on the House Education and the Workforce Committee, asked the Department of Justice today to look into evidence uncovered by a National Labor Relations Board Inspector General investigation that found Board Member Brian Hayes engaged in employment discussions with a law firm with business before the agency. “The Board plays a critical role in adjudicating and administering the rights of employees and employers under our nation’s lab… Continue Reading
Miller Statement on Nutrition Standards for School Meals
01.25.12 Washington, DC - U.S. Rep. George Miller (D-CA), the senior Democrat on the House Education and the Workforce Committee, issued the following statement today after First Lady Michelle Obama and Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack unveiled new standards for school meals that will result in healthier meals for kids across the nation. The new meal requirements will raise standards for the first time in more than 15 years and improve the health and nutrition of nearly 32 million kids that participate … Continue Reading
Miller Statement on President Obama’s State of the Union Address
01.24.12 Washington -- U.S. Rep. George Miller (D-CA), the senior Democrat on the House Education and the Workforce Committee, made the following statement after President Barack Obama's third State of the Union Address before a joint session of Congress: "President Obama gave a very strong and optimistic speech about our country, but made equally strong challenge to Congress to stop blocking efforts to rebuild the middle class and move America forward. I give this speech and its message to al… Continue Reading
Harkin, Miller back workers as Supreme Court hears argument in Family Medical Leave Act Case
01.11.12 WASHINGTON - As the U.S. Supreme Court hears oral arguments today in a case concerning whether state employees have the same rights as private sector workers to take unpaid leave to address a serious medical condition under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) and Representative George Miller (CA-7) issued the following statements supporting the rights of all workers to utilize their rights under FMLA. "People facing serious health problems need to be able to ta… Continue Reading
Rep. Miller Statement on December Jobs Numbers
01.06.12 WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Rep. George Miller (D-Calif.), the senior Democrat on the House Committee on Education and the Workforce, issued the following statement today after the Department of Labor announced that the economy created 200,000 new jobs in December and the unemployment rate fell to 8.5 percent. "Today's strong jobs numbers are encouraging. Congressional leaders should recognize that now is the time to work together to strengthen the economy further, not undermine growth. No mor… Continue Reading
Miller Statement on 10th Anniversary of No Child Left Behind Act
01.06.12 WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Rep. George Miller (D-Calif.), the senior Democrat on the House Committee on Education and the Workforce, issued the following statement today marking the tenth anniversary of the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Act and warning that a recent turn by House Republicans to abandon bipartisanship in rewriting the law, without learning the lessons of the last decade or achieving consensus on reform, will fail the nation's students. "Sunday marks the tenth anniversary of the No Ch… Continue Reading