Press Releases
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
Rep. Miller Statement on New Republican Education Proposal
01.05.12 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 Republican majority on the committee released two pieces of draft legislation to rewrite the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Act. "The Kline draft language ignores our responsibility to parents, students and taxpayers. They deserve better. "The release of this draft marks a good day for proponents of the status quo or, wor… Continue Reading
Miller Statement on NLRB Recess Appointments
01.04.12 WASHINGTON - Rep. George Miller (D-CA), the senior Democrat on the House Education and the Workforce Committee, issued the following statement after President Obama announced three recess appointments today to the National Labor Relations Board. Currently, the NLRB has only two members and cannot legally render decisions. Only the NLRB can enforce workers’ and employers’ rights under the National Labor Relations Act. “Taxpayers deserve a fully functioning government. The National Labor Relati… Continue Reading
NLRB final rule will better ensure workers get a free and fair election
12.21.11 WASHINGTON - Rep. George Miller (D-CA), the senior Democrat on the House Committee on Education and the Workforce, issued the following statement after the National Labor Relations Board announced today a set of modifications on union representation election procedures. “If workers want an election, they should get an election. It’s as simple as that. Endless delays caused by frivolous litigation only thwart workers’ rights to a free and fair election. This final rule approved by the NLRB wi… Continue Reading
Miller Announces New Hires to Ed and Workforce Democratic Committee Staff
12.19.11 WASHINGTON - Rep. George Miller (D-CA), the senior Democrat on the House Committee on Education and the Workforce, today announced two new hires to the Democratic committee staff. "I welcome these talented individuals to the committee's Democratic staff as we work on behalf of all Americans to grow and strengthen the middle class," said Miller. Miller announced the following hires: Tiffany Edwards joined the staff today as press secretary, focused on education issues. Edwards comes to the co… Continue Reading
Rep. George Miller Calls on House Republican Leadership to Pass Senate Bill to Extend Payroll Tax Cut and Unemployment Insurance for Middle Class This Week
12.18.11 WASHINGTON -- House Republicans have run out of time to delay any further a payroll tax cut and unemployment insurance benefits for middle class Americans and should bring the bi-partisan bill approved by the Senate to the House floor early this week for a vote, said Rep. George Miller (D-CA), the senior Democrat on the House Education and the Workforce Committee. "Opportunity is at hand. It is time for Republicans and Democrats in the House to come together and approve the payroll tax cu… Continue Reading
Miller: Partisanship means the end to NCLB reform in this Congress
12.16.11 WASHINGTON - U.S. Rep. George Miller (D-CA), the senior Democrat on the House Committee on Education and the Workforce Committee, issued the following statement after committee Republicans confirmed that they are abandoning bipartisan talks to rewrite the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, known as 'No Child Left Behind' in the law's recent iteration. Miller has been working in a bipartisan manner since 2007 to rewrite the law so that it works better for our nation's students and families. … Continue Reading