Press Releases
Chairman Miller: New Obama Community College Proposal Will Help Transform Our Economy
07.14.09 WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Rep. George Miller (D-CA), the Chairman of the House Education and Labor Committee, praised a new proposal announced by President Obama today that will prepare more students and workers for jobs by strengthening the nation's community colleges. Miller said that he plans to introduce the initiative in the U.S. House of Representatives tomorrow as part of larger legislation that will make college more affordable through major student loan reforms."The President's proposal r… Continue Reading
More Coordinated Efforts Needed to Improve School Safety, Witnesses Tell Panel
07.08.09 WASHINGTON, D.C. - More needs to be done to prevent violence and harassment in schools, witnesses told Congress at a joint hearing held by the House Healthy Families and Communities and Early Childhood, Elementary and Secondary Education Subcommittees. Witnesses today discussed various methods to improve school safety, including better data and reporting, student run programs, and training for faculty and staff. “Schools must be safe places for all students, regardless of sexual orientation, so … Continue Reading
Chairman Miller Applauds Obama Nomination of Joe Main as Mine Safety Head
07.06.09 WASHINGTON, D.C. -- U.S. Rep. George Miller (D-CA), the chairman of the House Education and Labor Committee, today praised President Barack Obama’s announcement that he intends to nominate Joe Main as Assistant Secretary of Labor for Mine Safety and Health. “I applaud President Obama’s intent to nominate Joe Main to lead the Mine Safety and Health Administration. Throughout his career, Joe has been a tireless advocate for the health and safety of our nation’s miners. His experience and enthusias… Continue Reading
Chairman Miller Applauds Obama Administration for Releasing Additional Recovery Funds to States
07.01.09 WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Rep. George Miller (D-CA), the chairman of the House Education and Labor Committee, today applauded the Obama administration for acting quickly to send additional recovery funding to states that need help maintaining critical services, like education and public safety, and rebuilding their economies. The U.S. Department of Education announced this afternoon that nearly $2.7 billion will be allocated to states today as the last third of the government services fund under t… Continue Reading
Starting Tomorrow, Student Loan Payments Become More Affordable for Millions of Americans
06.30.09 WASHINGTON, D.C. - Starting tomorrow, federal student loans will become more affordable to repay as a new Income-Based Repayment (IBR) program takes effect. IBR will allow borrowers to cap their monthly loan payments based on how much income they earn. This program, in conjunction with a lower interest rate on subsidized - or need-based - student loans and an increase in the Pell Grant scholarship, will help make college more affordable and help alleviate devastating student loan burdens for mi… Continue Reading
Congress to Hold Hearing on Supreme Court’s ‘Gross’ Ruling Regarding Age Discrimination, says Chairman Miller
06.30.09 WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Rep. George Miller (D-CA), the chairman of the House Education and Labor Committee, today announced that he will hold a hearing to examine how the recent U.S. Supreme Court decision in Gross v. FBL Financial Services will affect workers’ protections against age discrimination and other forms of discrimination in the workplace. The 5 to 4 decision dramatically increases the hurdles that victims of age discrimination must overcome in order to have their day in court. “The … Continue Reading
Miller Calls for Passage of Historic Climate Change Legislation
06.26.09 WASHINGTON, DC - Rep. George Miller (D-CA) released the following statement calling on the House to approve the American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009, one of President Obama’s top domestic priorities. “Passage will represent a monumental step forward in our effort to build a vibrant and green economy based on clean energy, less foreign oil, and a reduction in greenhouse gases,” said Rep. George Miller (D-CA), chairman of the Education and Labor Committee and one of the co-authors of th… Continue Reading
Sen. Brown, Reps. Miller, McHugh Introduce Bill to Assist Workers Facing Mass Layoffs
06.25.09 WASHINGTON, D.C. -- U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) and Representatives George Miller (D-CA), Chairman of the U.S. House Education and Labor Committee, and John McHugh (R-NY) introduced legislation today that would strengthen the law requiring employers to notify workers and communities of mass layoffs or plant closings. The bipartisan FOREWARN Act, would strengthen enforcement of current law and close loopholes in the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) Act.In the House, the leg… Continue Reading
House Committee Approves Bill to Require Disclosure of Hidden 401(k) Fees
06.24.09 WASHINGTON, D.C. - American workers would receive clear and complete information about fees that could be cutting deeply into their 401(k)-style retirement savings under legislation approved today by the House Education and Labor Committee.By a vote of 29 to 17, the committee approved the 401(k) Fair Disclosure and Pension Security Act (H.R. 2989), which would help workers shop around for the best retirement investment options by providing information on how much in fees is taken from their reti… Continue Reading
Chairman Miller Applauds Obama Administration for Simplifying Federal Student Aid Application
06.24.09 WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Rep. George Miller (D-CA), the chairman of the House Education and Labor Committee, today praised President Barack Obama and U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan for announcing a new effort to simplify the federal student aid application, called the FAFSA. The Obama administration will be able to implement some of their proposed changes immediately; other proposals would require legislative action. Miller today said that the House will consider these proposals as part of … Continue Reading
Tri-Committee Discussion Draft Advances President Obama’s Health Reform Goals, Witnesses Tell House Committee
06.23.09 WASHINGTON, D.C. - The House Tri-Committee Discussion Draft advances President Obama’s goals for health care reform, a diverse group of small business owners, economists, consumers, patient advocates and other stakeholders told the House Education and Labor Committee today. The plan, which was unveiled last Friday by the House Education and Labor, Energy and Commerce and Ways and Means Committees, would reduce out-of-control costs, improve choices and competition for consumers and expand access … Continue Reading
House Democrats Unveil Discussion Draft for Providing Quality, Affordable Health Care for All Americans
06.19.09 WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, the chairmen of the three committees with jurisdiction over health policy in the U.S. House of Representatives unveiled their discussion draft for health care reform that would reduce out-of-control costs, improve choices and competition for consumers and expand access to quality, affordable health care for all Americans. The discussion draft would guarantee that almost every American is covered by a health care plan that is both affordable and offers quality, standard … Continue Reading
Worker Safety Program Expanded by Bush Administration Not Effective, GAO Reports
06.18.09 WASHINGTON, D.C. - An Occupational Safety and Health Administration program expanded by the Bush administration lacked proper oversight, did not improve worker safety, and diverted scarce resources from other enforcement duties, the Government Accountability Office concluded in a report released today by two Congressional committees.Businesses that participate in OSHA’s Voluntary Protection Program are able to avoid routine inspections, as long as they demonstrate that they have exemplary safety… Continue Reading
House Retirement Subcommittee Approves Bill to Prevent Conflicted Investment Advice
06.17.09 WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The Subcommittee on Health, Employment, Pensions and Labor of the House Education and Labor Committee today approved legislation by a 13 to 8 vote to protect workers from conflicts of interest when receiving retirement investment advice at work. “The American retirement system has already suffered $2 trillion in losses due to last year’s economic collapse. Now more than ever, Americans cannot afford to subject their hard-earned retirement savings to the increased threats pos… Continue Reading
House Retirement Subcommittee Approves Bill to Expose Hidden 401(k) Fees
06.17.09 WASHINGTON, D.C. - The House Subcommittee on Health, Employment, Pensions and Labor today approved landmark legislation by a 13 to 8 vote that would expose hidden 401(k) that may be eating into Americans’ retirement security. The bill will be considered by the full Education and Labor Committee.The 401(k) Fair Disclosure for Retirement Security Act (H.R. 1984) will help workers shop around for the best retirement options by requiring simple fee disclosure on the investment options contained in t… Continue Reading
Chairman Miller Applauds President Obama’s United We Serve Campaign
06.17.09 WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Rep. George Miller issued the following statement today after President Obama launched the United We Serve campaign, a new initiative to engage Americans in service and volunteer opportunities to help rebuild the country. Recent news articles report that American’s interest in service is surging, partly as more unemployed Americans seek volunteer opportunities while they look for a new job.“I applaud President Obama for taking this next step to tap into Americans’ talents… Continue Reading
Innovative Education Technologies Can Boost Student Achievement and Teacher Effectiveness, Witnesses Tell House Panel
06.16.09 WASHINGTON, D.C. - Innovative uses of technology in U.S. classrooms are increasing student achievement and engagement, improving teacher effectiveness and teaching critical thinking and problem-solving skills, witnesses told the House Education and Labor Committee today. This is the first in a series of hearings the committee will hold to explore how technology-based education tools are transforming American education. “It’s clear that technology and innovation in the classroom not only helps m… Continue Reading
House Passes First Legislation to Protect Students on School Run Overnight Trips
06.15.09 WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. House of Representatives today overwhelmingly passed the first federal legislation to keep students safe while on school-sponsored overnight field trips. Under current laws, there are no requirements for schools to have safety plans in place when students attend off-campus, overnight trips. The legislation, Phylicia’s Law (H.R. 729), authored by U.S. Rep. Steve Rothman (D-NJ), would rectify this. It would require school districts receiving federal funds through the Sa… Continue Reading
Family and Paid Sick Leave Crucial to Work-Life Balance, Witnesses Tell House Labor Subcommittee
06.11.09 WASHINGTON, DC—Witnesses told the House Workforce Protections Subcommittee today that expanding paid family leave and paid sick leave are necessary to help families balance work and family. Currently, only 8 percent of American workers have access to paid family leave, and almost half do not have access to a single day of paid sick leave. “It is unacceptable that this country, which is the number one economy in the world, can barely compete with developing nations when it comes to paid leave an… Continue Reading
House Committees Brief Members on Draft Health Reform Outline
06.09.09 WASHINGTON, DC - Today, leaders of the Committees with jurisdiction over health policy briefed members of the House Democratic Caucus on the current framework and timing of health reform efforts in the House of Representatives. The discussion, led by Ways and Means Committee Chairman Charles B. Rangel (D-NY), Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Henry Waxman (D-CA), and Education and Labor Committee Chairman George Miller (D-CA), focused on the key principles of reducing health care costs, pr… Continue Reading