Press Releases
Miller Calls on Committee to Focus on Competitiveness and Innovation
01.26.11 WASHINGTON, D.C. - At a hearing on the state of the American workforce, U.S. Rep. George Miller (D-Calif.), the senior Democrat on the House Committee on Education and the Workforce, called on the committee to work on solutions to help to grow and strengthen America’s middle class. “We have the hardest working people in the world and I hope we can look forward to solutions to help grow and strengthen America’s middle class,” said Miller. “All across the nation, communities are confronting a… Continue Reading
Congressman Miller's Statement on President Obama's State of the Union Address
01.25.11 WASHINGTON, D.C. -- U.S. Rep. George Miller (D-CA), the Ranking Democrat on the Education and the Workforce Committee, released the following statement after President Obama delivered his State of the Union Address calling for education reform and a comprehensive reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA). "The President is absolutely right to challenge our schools to do better. Now is the time for real, substantive changes that will transform our schools and put our st… Continue Reading
Democratic Members of the Committee on Education and the Workforce, Subcommittee Membership Announced
01.20.11 WASHINGTON, DC -- U.S. Rep. George Miller (D-Calif.), the senior Democrat on the House Committee on Education and the Workforce, today announced Democratic members, subcommittee ranking Democrats and subcommittee assignments for the 112th Congress. Democrats on the committee held their organizing meeting this morning. The full committee will be formally organized with Chairman John Kline (R-Minn.) next Tuesday. “While the next two years will bring new challenges, committee Democrats will no… Continue Reading
Upper Big Branch Tragedy Preventable, Legislative Action Needed to Close Dangerous Loopholes, says Rep. Miller
01.19.11 WASHINGTON, D.C. - In light of information released today by the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA), U.S. Rep. George Miller (D-Calif.) called on Congress to move on legislation immediately that would close loopholes in federal mine safety law that contributed to the inability of MSHA to prevent the Upper Big Branch mine tragedy. House Republicans voted to block the passage of mine safety legislation on December 8. "The preliminary results of the Upper Big Branch investigation unde… Continue Reading
Rep. George Miller Statement on House GOP Vote to Repeal Patients’ Rights
01.19.11 WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Rep. George Miller (D-Calif.), the senior Democrat on the Education and Workforce Committee, issued the following statement after House Republicans voted today to repeal the nation’s historic health reform law, which includes many new patient rights and benefits already in effect. “Today, Congress faced the question of whether families will remain in control over their health care or would we put insurance companies back in charge,” said Miller. “Unfortunately, the first… Continue Reading
Real Americans Testify about Impact of GOP Patients’ Rights Repeal
01.18.11 The House Democratic Policy and Steering Committee held the only public forum on the impact of the potential Republican repeal of the historic health reform law and new patients’ rights. U.S. Rep. George Miller (D-Calif.), the co-chair of the committee and senior Democrat on the House Committee on Education and the Workforce, said:“Repeal takes us in the wrong direction and will cause significant harm - to workers, small business owners, women, children and seniors. Americans, and rightly so, ar… Continue Reading
Miller Statement on New USDA Proposed Rule to Make School Meals Healthier
01.13.11 WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Rep. George Miller (D-CA), the Ranking Democrat on the Education and Workforce Committee, today released the following statement after the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) published a proposed rule to update nutrition standards for meals served in school as part of the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act. The new proposed meal requirements would increase nutrition standards for the first time in 15 years. It would add more fruits and vegetables, whole grains foods and fat-… Continue Reading
CBO: GOP Health Law Repeal Increases the Deficit, Families’ Costs, and Decreases Benefits
01.06.11 WASHINGTON, D.C. - The independent, nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO) said today that the GOP’s health reform repeal bill would dramatically increase the deficit by nearly a quarter trillion dollars in the first decade, lead to increased insurance costs for most Americans and decrease health benefits offered. "The GOP’s budget busting repeal bill will kill jobs, raise costs and deny critical care to Americans who need it, " said U.S. Rep. George Miller (D-CA), the top Democrat on th… Continue Reading
Reps. Miller, Waxman, Stark Statement on California Blue Shield Annoucement
01.06.11 Washington, DC — Today, three leading Democrats from California expressed concern about Blue Shield of California’s announcement of a significant increase in health insurance premiums for many of its policyholders, averaging 30 to 35 percent. This is a major increase in premiums that will be a burden for Californians, forcing them to make hard choices between health care and other needs like groceries and rent or mortgage payments. The insurer has made clear that health reform was not a signifi… Continue Reading
Chairman Miller Statement on Expected Republican Repeal Bill
01.03.11 WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Rep. George Miller (D-CA), the current chairman of the House Education and Labor Committee, released the following statement on Republicans expected unveiling tonight of legislation to repeal the historic health reform law.“The reckless Republican repeal of health care is a budget busting bailout for insurance companies that will kill jobs, raise Americans' taxes, and deny critical care to women and children. It is unconscionable that Republicans plan on ramming the bill … Continue Reading
House Passes Legislation to Protect Students from Sex Offenders in Schools
12.21.10 WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. House of Representatives passed legislation today that would prevent registered sex offenders and criminals convicted of crimes against children from working in schools. By a vote of 314to 20, H.R. 6547, The Protecting Students from Sexual and Violent Predators Act, passed with significant bipartisan support. he legislation would, for the first time on a federal level, require public schools to conduct comprehensive background checks for any employee using state crim… Continue Reading
Chairman Miller Statement on Spending Measures in the CR
12.21.10 WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Rep. George Miller (D-CA), chairman of the House Education and Labor Committee, released the following statement after the House passed the Continuing Resolution (C.R.) that would allow continued government operations through March 4, 2011. Among other spending provisions, the bill will fully fund the Pell Grant scholarship and also includes language that clarifies the definition of a “highly qualified teacher” (HQT). BACKGROUND ON HQT : Current law requires teachers to… Continue Reading
Proposal will Expose Excessive Health Premium Hikes, put Consumers in More Control
12.21.10 WASHINGTON, D.C. - In a stark contrast to current practices, health insurance companies will have to publicly justify any premium increase of 10 percent or higher under new rules being proposed today. The move is the latest step under the Affordable Care Act to strengthen the hand of consumers over insurance companies when it comes to health care for them and their families. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) proposed today to force insurance companies to publicly justify d… Continue Reading
Rep. Miller Statement on Election as Top Democrat on the House Education and Labor Committee
12.16.10 WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Rep. George Miller (D-CA), the current chair of the House Education and Labor Committee, issued the following statement after the House Democratic caucus voted today to make him the senior Democrat on the Education and Labor Committee in the 112th Congress. “I am truly privileged to have the confidence of the House Democratic caucus to continue to be the top Democrat on the Education and Labor Committee. It has been an honor to serve as chairman during the committee's mos… Continue Reading
New Government Report Finds Schools Hired and Retained Staff with Histories of Sexual Misconduct
12.16.10 WASHINGTON, D.C. - A new government report released today found that individuals with histories of sexual misconduct were hired or retained, in at least once instance, breaking existing state laws that prohibit offenders from being near children or on school grounds. The report, issued by the Government Accountability Office (GAO) and conducted at the behest of U.S. Rep. George Miller (D-CA), chairman of the House Education and Labor Committee, highlights 15 cases of public and private schools … Continue Reading
Chairman Miller Statement on Republican Judge’s Ruling against Part of Health Reform
12.13.10 WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Rep. George Miller (D-CA), chairman of the House Education and Labor Committee, issued the following statement on today’s court ruling by a Republican-appointed judge in Virginia against a part of the Affordable Care Act. The Education and Labor Committee is one of three committees in the House of Representatives responsible for creating the law. “Today’s ruling is the exception among more than dozen court cases decided that have questioned any provision of the Affordabl… Continue Reading
Chairman Miller Statement on the DREAM Act
12.09.10 WASHINGTON, D.C. - Below please find the remarks as prepared for delivery by U.S. Rep. George Miller (D-CA), chairman of the House Education and Labor Committee, on H.R. 5281, the Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors (DREAM) Act. The House passed the bill today.Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of the DREAM Act. This is common sense, bipartisan legislation that is a win for our economy. First, in this economy, we need the best, the brightest, the most capable and the most q… Continue Reading
Chairman Miller Statement on Proposed Korea Free Trade Agreement
12.09.10 WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Rep. George Miller (D-CA), chairman of the House Education and Labor Committee, issued the following statement today on the proposed U.S.-Korea Free Trade Agreement.“I applaud the efforts of President Obama, the auto industry and the United Auto Workers union in working to improve the terms of the Korea Free Trade Agreement. I know that they did everything they could to improve the effect of the agreement on American workers. Unfortunately, however, the changes they suc… Continue Reading
Chairman Miller Statement after Republicans Block Miner Safety Bill
12.08.10 WASHINGTON, D.C. -- U.S. Rep. George Miller (D-CA), chairman of the House Education and Labor Committee, issued the following statement after House Republicans voted to block the passage of mine safety legislation. While a majority of the House voted to approve the bill, final passage required at least a two-thirds majority under the suspension of the rules. “I am pleased that a majority of the House of Representatives voted in strong support of our nation’s miners and their families. Howev… Continue Reading
House Approves Critical Investments for Students and Mine Safety
12.08.10 WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. House of Representatives approved a spending measure today to ensure that Pell Grants are available to students, and to hold mine operators accountable for violating health and safety protections. “In light of Republicans voting to block mine safety reform today, these are important investments needed to improve mine safety. Among other efforts, this increased funding will help to make a meaningful dent in the crippling backlog of 19,000 mine owner appeals of heal… Continue Reading