Press Releases
Chairman Miller Statement on Latest PISA Survey of Academic Achievement
12.07.10 WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Rep. George Miller (D-CA), chairman of the House Education and Labor Committee, released the following statement today on the results of the 2009 Program for International Student Assessment (PISA), which tests nearly 500,000 15-year-old students in more than 70 countries in reading literacy, mathematics and science. According to the assessment, the United States ranks average, or 14th, or reading, average, or 17th, in science and below average or, 25th, in math out of t… Continue Reading
House Passes Sweeping Child Nutrition Reauthorization Legislation
12.02.10 WASHINGTON, D.C. - - The House of Representatives today approved legislation that will make historic and urgent improvements to the nation’s federal child nutrition programs. By a vote of 264 to 157, the House passed S. 3307, the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act, bipartisan legislation that the Senate unanimously approved in August. President Obama has indicated he plans to sign the bill in the coming days.The legislation dramatically improves the quality of meals children eat in school and in chi… Continue Reading
Chairman Miller Statement on Bipartisan Child Nutrition Bill
12.01.10 WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Rep. George Miller (D-CA), chairman of the House Education and Labor Committee, issued the following statement today about S. 3307, the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act:“It is disappointing that Republicans decided to pull a political stunt to delay passage of this bill at the expense of the deserving children who need healthy meals. I look forward to completing action on this critical legislation tomorrow and sending it to the President's desk for his signature.”BACKGROUND:… Continue Reading
Democratic Health Reform Will Rebate up to $4.9 Billion Back to Consumers in Excessive Health Premiums
11.22.10 WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Rep. George Miller (D-CA), chair of the House Education and Labor Committee, released the following statement after the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) issued a final regulation today that is estimated to save insured Americans up to $4.9 billion in cash rebates, lower premiums or increase benefits over the next three years. The new regulation announced today is part of the so-called ‘medical-loss ratio’ provisions contained in the Democratic-passed health r… Continue Reading
Chairman Miller and Congressman Holt Respond to NAEP Report on High School Seniors
11.18.10 WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Rep. George Miller (D-CA), the chairman of the House Education and Labor Committee, and U.S. Rep. Rush Holt (D-NJ), issued the following statement after the National Assessment Governing Board released its report on the 2009 12th Grade National Assessment of Education Progress (NAEP), which measures the progress of high school seniors across the country in math and reading. For the first time this year, the report showed the performance of high school seniors in 11 states… Continue Reading
Miller: Republicans Block Aid to Unemployed Workers
11.18.10 WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Rep. George Miller (D-CA), chair of the House Education and Labor Committee, issued the following statement after House Republicans blocked an emergency extension of unemployment insurance today. On November 27, two million workers stand to lose unemployment insurance benefits unless Congress extends them. Millions more will lose this lifeline in the weeks and months to follow. “Unfortunately, millions of Americans out of work through no fault of their own will fac… Continue Reading
Better Tools Needed to Protect Solvency of Multiemployer Pension Plans, GAO Finds
11.17.10 WASHINGTON, D.C. - The Government Accountability Office (GAO) today recommended that better monitoring and reporting requirements are needed to protect pension plans covering 10.4 million current and future retirees participating in multiemployer plans. “Congress and the Obama administration must work together to address the significant problems GAO raised in order to protect retirees and the nation’s taxpayers,” said U.S. Rep. George Miller (D-Calif.), chair of the House Education and Labor Com… Continue Reading
Chairs Miller and Woolsey Statement on Republican Filibuster of Paycheck Fairness Bill
11.17.10 WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Rep. George Miller (D-CA), chair of the House Education and Labor Committee, and Rep. Lynn Woolsey (D-CA), chair of the Workforce Protections Subcommittee, issued the following statement after Senate Republicans voted to filibuster legislation to close loopholes that have allowed many employers to avoid responsibility for discriminatory pay based on gender. On average, women currently make 77 cents for every dollar a man makes. The Paycheck Fairness Act, introduced by Rep… Continue Reading
Chairman Miller Statement on Annual College Board Trends Survey
10.28.10 WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Rep. George Miller (D-CA), chairman of the House Education and Labor Committee, today issued the following statement after the College Board released its annual “Trends in Higher Education Series” highlighting trends in both student aid and college pricing for the 2009-2010 school year. “Since Democrats regained control of the House in 2006, the Democratic Congress has made historic investments to make college more affordable -- all at no new cost to taxpayers. This has … Continue Reading
Miller Statement on New Fee Disclosure Rules for 401(k) Plan Participants
10.14.10 WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Rep. George Miller (D-CA), chair of the House Education and Labor Committee and author of 401(k) fee disclosure legislation, issued the following statement on the Department of Labor’s final rule released today requiring increased disclosure of fees 401(k) participants pay. “I am pleased that the Department of Labor has taken another step to expose hidden fees contained in America’s 401(k) plans. While families are making difficult choices to put something away for their… Continue Reading
New Coal Dust Protections Will Save Lives, Reduce Preventable Black Lung Disease, Says Miller
10.14.10 WASHINGTON, D.C. -- U.S. Rep. George Miller (D-CA), chair of the House Education and Labor Committee, said that a new proposed rule to reduce the amount of coal dust miners breathe in and to provide better monitoring of coal dust is long overdue and will save lives. According to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, more than 10,000 miners have died from black lung in the last decade and young miners are still contracting the debilitating condition.“After years of careful st… Continue Reading
Miller Applauds Announcement of Education Reform Conference on Teacher-Management Collaboration
10.14.10 WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Rep. George Miller (D-CA), the chair of the House Education and Labor Committee, applauded today’s announcement by U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan that he will convene a national conference on how labor-management collaboration at the state and local level has advanced education reform. The conference will include the presidents of the National Education Association and American Federation of Teachers.“I applaud today’s announcement by Secretary Duncan and the presid… Continue Reading
Chairman Miller Statement on 9th Month of Private Sector Job Growth and the Republican Recession
10.08.10 WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Rep. George Miller (D-CA), chair of the House Education and Labor Committee, issued the following statement today after the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics announced that 64,000 private sector jobs were created in September, the ninth straight month of private sector job creation. “Today’s jobs report shows just how much our economy has improved since the Republican Recession began. When President Obama took over, we were losing nearly 800,000 jobs a month. Thanks larg… Continue Reading
California Members of Congress Applaud First State Law Creating New Health Insurance Marketplace
10.01.10 WASHINGTON, D.C. - Three California members of Congress, chairs responsible for health policy in the U.S. House of Representatives, applauded California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s signature of legislation yesterday to create a new health insurance marketplace. California is the first state to begin implementation of a key element of historic health reform enacted in March. The California Health Benefit Exchange will help individuals and employees of small businesses compare and purchase healt… Continue Reading
More than $250 Million in Federal Funding To Be Released Today to Help Students Graduate College
09.30.10 WASHINGTON, D.C. - Over $250 million in federal investments to help fund innovative programs that help students graduate college and aid historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) and tribal colleges and universities (TCUs) in better serving their students will be released today by the Department of Education, U.S. Rep. George Miller (D-CA) announced this morning. “Earlier this year, we made the decision to invest in students and American jobs and protect taxpayers,” said Miller, the a… Continue Reading
Labor Department Inspector General Finds Important Mine Safety Sanction Broken
09.29.10 WASHINGTON, D.C. - The process to identify and improve safety at the nation’s most dangerous mines is broken, the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General reported today. According to the report, in the 32 years since the ‘pattern of violation’ sanction was enacted, the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) has never used this authority as the result of “lack of leadership and priority in the department across administrations.” U.S. Reps. George Miller (D-CA), Nick Rahall (D-WV),… Continue Reading
New ‘Patient Bill of Rights’ Protections Begin to Take Effect Today
09.23.10 WASHINGTON, D.C. - Major new patient protections will begin to take effect today under the Affordable Care Act, historic health reform law enacted this year. This new “Patient Bill of Rights” will ensure that insurance companies will no longer be able to cut off your insurance just because you are sick, set annual or lifetime caps on your coverage, or deny coverage to children with so-called pre-existing conditions. “These are real protections against insurance companies’ worst abuses,” said U.S… Continue Reading
New Legislation to Help Inform Student Athletes About Concussions is Critical for Student Safety and Success in School, Witnesses Tell House Panel
09.23.10 WASHINGTON, D.C. - New legislation to set minimum safety standards for concussion management in public schools across the country would help protect student athletes, witnesses told the House Education and Labor Committee today. At the hearing, the National Football League (NFL) endorsed the legislation in a letter to U.S. Rep. George Miller (D-CA), chairman of the House Education and Labor Committee, noting, “The NFL is grateful for the opportunity to work closely with you in developing this im… Continue Reading
House Passes Legislation to Update and Remove Offensive Legislative Language about Persons with Intellectual Disability
09.23.10 WASHINGTON, D.C. - With strong bipartisan support, the House of Representatives approved Rosa’s Law, legislation to remove offensive language related to persons with intellectual disability. The bill passed by a voice vote Wednesday evening. For the first time, the legislation would remove and replace the phrase “mental retardation” with “intellectual disability” from federal education, health and labor laws.“Pejorative and offensive phrases to persons with disabilities don’t belong in conversa… Continue Reading
GAO: Improved Investigator Training and More Effective Management Needed for Federal Whistleblower Program
09.16.10 WASHINGTON, D.C. - Improved training and oversight is needed for the federal program designed to protect Americans who ‘blow the whistle’ on unsafe working conditions or other illegal activities, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) reported to members of Congress today. Sens. Tom Harkin (D-IA) and Patty Murray (D-WA), and Reps. George Miller (D-CA) and Lynn Woolsey (D-CA), requested the report as part of an effort to ensure that workers have the both the right to raise safety concerns and… Continue Reading