Press Releases
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
Chairman Miller Statement on Subcommittee Passage of Private Student Loan Fairness Legislation
09.15.10 WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Rep. George Miller (D-CA), chairman of the House Education and Labor Committee, today released the following statement after the House Judiciary Committee’s Subcommittee on Commercial and Administrative Law passed H.R. 5043, the Private Student Loan Bankruptcy Fairness Act of 2010 (H.R. 5043). Miller is a cosponsor of the legislation which would allow borrowers to discharge their private student loans in bankruptcy, the same way they can discharge other private debt. “I a… Continue Reading
Chairman Miller Asks GAO to Examine The Effectiveness of Federal Programs Aimed at Helping Students With Disabilities’ Transition from High School to College and Workforce
09.14.10 WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Rep. George Miller (D-CA), chairman of the House Education and Labor Committee, today asked the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) to examine the effectiveness of federal programs that exist to help students with disabilities transition from high school to college or the workforce. Recent studies show that about only half of students with disabilities graduate from high school with a regular diploma. In 2009, the unemployment rate for people with disabilities was… Continue Reading
Community Involvement and Student Awareness about Concussion Risks and Management Can Help Protect Youth Athletes, Witnesses Tell House Panel
09.13.10 WASHINGTON, D.C. - Promoting community involvement and engagement about concussion management can help protect youth athletes from the risks of concussion both on the athletic field and in the classroom, witnesses told the House Education and Labor Committee’s Subcommittee on Healthy Families and Communities. The hearing highlighted best practices for educating schools, parents, and young people about the risk of concussions, protocols for avoiding head injury and procedures for safe care after … Continue Reading
Chairman Miller Statement on California Education Funding
09.10.10 WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Rep. George Miller (D-CA), chairman of the House Education and Labor Committee, today issued the following statement in response to Governor Schwarzenegger's decision to sign legislation freeing up $1.2 billion in federal school jobs grants for the state of California."I am very pleased the Governor has decided to sign legislation to use the money for teachers' jobs in California that Congress approved this summer. Saving teachers' jobs is vital to our economy and to the … Continue Reading
Chairman Miller Responds to Schwarzenegger Decision to Withhold California Education Funding
09.09.10 WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Rep. George Miller (D-CA), chairman of the House Education and Labor Committee, today issued the following statement in response to Governor Schwarzenegger's decision to withhold $1.2 billion in federal school jobs grants for the state of California. Miller fought for almost a year for additional aid to keep teachers in the classroom, funding that Congress approved last month in a rare emergency session. "By withholding $1.2 billion in education funding, the governor is d… Continue Reading
Chairman Miller Statement on Labor Day and August Jobs Numbers
09.03.10 WASHINGTON, D.C. -- U.S. Rep. George Miller (D-CA), chairman of the House Education and Labor Committee, released the following statement in honor of Labor Day and the announcement that the economy created 67,000 private sector jobs in August, the eighth straight month of private sector job growth. “Labor Day is a time to reflect on the achievements of the American worker and our nation’s commitment to helping all families pursue the American Dream. “As today’s jobs numbers show, while there ar… Continue Reading
Pelosi and Miller Announce $1.2 Billion in Emergency Education Jobs Funding for California
08.27.10 WASHINGTON, D.C. - Speaker Nancy Pelosi and U.S. Congressman George Miller (D-CA), Chairman of the House Education and Labor Committee, today issued the following joint statement announcing that the U.S. Department of Education approved California’s application to receive $1.2 billion as part of the recently passed Education Jobs and Medicaid Assistance Act, which will fund an estimated 16,500 teacher jobs in California.“As soon as today, California will have access to more than $1.2 billion dol… Continue Reading
Chairman Miller Responds to Boehner Economic Speech
08.24.10 WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Rep. George Miller (D-CA), chairman of the House Education and Labor Committee, today issued the following statement in response to House Republican Leader John Boehner’s remarks at the City Club of Cleveland.“This morning Leader John Boehner gave a campaign speech advocating a return to the failed, Bush-era domestic agenda that ran our economy into a ditch and left us in the worst downturn since the Great Depression.“With Mr. Boehner’s assistance, House Republicans stall… Continue Reading
Chairman Miller Statement on Race to the Top Winners
08.24.10 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 U.S. Department of Education announced the winners of the second round of the Race to the Top competition. “With our economic recovery and global competitiveness at stake, our children need a strong education foundation to be able to grow, thrive and succeed. The Race to the Top competition reignited a much-needed conversation in this country abou… Continue Reading
Chairman Miller Announces Hearing to Review School Turnaround Companies
08.18.10 WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Rep. George Miller (D-CA), chairman of the House Education and Labor Committee today announced plans for a hearing to review companies who contract with school districts to help improve schools. “Failing schools affect not only students and teachers, but entire communities. Turning around low achieving and persistently failing schools requires critical attention, resources, flexibility and planning for success - and keeping a close eye on the needs of the students and the… Continue Reading
Chairman Miller Statement on $487 Million in Recovery Funds for California
08.17.10 WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Rep. George Miller (D-CA), chairman of the House Education and Labor Committee, today issued the following statement after U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan announced that California will receive more than $487 million under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). The recovery dollars will fund teacher jobs and strengthen ongoing education reform efforts in California public elementary and secondary schools. Chairman Miller authored key education portions o… Continue Reading
Chairman Miller Statement on U.C. Postdocs Approval of First Contract
08.12.10 WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Rep. George Miller (D-CA), chairman of the House Education and Labor Committee, issued the following statement after today’s announcement that the University of California’s postdoctoral scholars overwhelmingly approved a long-sought after first contract with the university. “This is a victory for economic justice and a victory for our nation’s economic future. These postdoctoral scholars represent America’s best and brightest. This agreement will bring them closer to g… Continue Reading
Chairman Miller Statement on BP Texas City Settlement
08.12.10 WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Rep. George Miller (D-CA), chairman of the House Education and Labor Committee, issued the following statement after the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and BP agreed to pay $50 million in fines to settle unresolved safety violations at its Texas City refinery, representing the largest worker health and safety fine in U.S. history. BP also pledged $500 million to improve safety. “Today’s announcement demonstrates a clear commitment to worker safety b… Continue Reading
House Passes Emergency Legislation to Save Teacher Jobs
08.10.10 WASHINGTON, D.C. - The House of Representatives today approved legislation that will save or create 319,000 American jobs in local communities, including 161,000 teacher jobs, and also discourages American corporations from shipping jobs overseas. By a vote of 247 to 161, the House passed H.R. 1586, the Education Jobs and Medicaid Assistance Act. President Obama indicated he would sign the legislation into law later today.“With this vote today, we’re taking decisive action to prevent our child… Continue Reading
Chairs Miller and Woolsey Statement on Historic Proposed Kleen Energy Fine
08.05.10 WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Reps. George Miller (D-CA), chair of the House Education and Labor Committee, and Lynn Woolsey (D-CA), chair of the Workforce Protections Subcommittee, issued the following statement on the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) proposed $16.6 million fine for safety violations surrounding February’s Kleen Energy explosion in Middletown, Conn: “The Kleen Energy explosion is just another example of the tragic results of putting production, in this case comp… Continue Reading
Chairman Miller Statement on Senate Passage of the $10 Billion Education Jobs Bill and Additional State Aid
08.05.10 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 Senate passed H.R. 1586, the Education Jobs and Medicaid Assistance Act. The House will reconvene for a rare August vote this coming Tuesday to approve the legislation and send it to President Obama for his signature. The bill is expected to save approximately 140,000 teacher jobs nationwide. “I applaud the Senate for passing this emergency legi… Continue Reading