Press Releases
Chairman Miller Statement on President Obama’s Signing Worker-Friendly Executive Orders
01.30.09 WASHINGTON, DC -- U.S. Rep. George Miller (D-CA), the chairman of the House Education and Labor, issued the following statement today after President Obama signed three executive orders to restore workers’ rights in federal contracts and the creation of a Middle Class Task Force “President Obama today reaffirmed that the interests of hard working Americans will not take a back seat to corporations and CEOs. Overturning these three Bush-era orders is an important step to restore a rational balanc… Continue Reading
Chairman Miller Applauds Signing of the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act
01.29.09 WASHINGTON, DC -- U.S. Rep. George Miller (D-CA), the chairman of the House Education and Labor Committee and chief House sponsor of the legislation, issued the following statement today after President Obama signed the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act into law. January 29, 2009, The White House, President Obama hands Rep. George Miller a pen after signing the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Act, which Miller authored. This was the first signing ceremony o… Continue Reading
As Part of Stimulus, House Passes Significant Relief for College Students
01.28.09 WASHINGTON, D.C. - As part of legislation to jumpstart and rebuild the American economy, the U.S. House of Representatives today passed significant increases in college aid that will benefit millions of students and families. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, H.R. 1, which passed the House by a vote of 244 to 188 would increase the Pell Grant scholarship to its highest amount ever, and create a new tuition tax credit for families. “A long-term recovery falls not only on the shoulders … Continue Reading
House Expands Access to Affordable Health Insurance for Unemployed
01.28.09 WASHINGTON - As part of legislation to rescue the American economy, the U.S. House of Representatives today approved measures to expand access to affordable health care coverage for workers who lose their jobs as a result of the recession by a vote of 244 to 188. The Congressional Budget Office and Joint Committee on Taxation estimate that the package would help 8.2 million people keep health care coverage for themselves and their families. “Unemployed workers who have been hit hard by this rece… Continue Reading
Chairman Miller Asks GAO to Investigate Cases of Abuse and Neglect of Schoolchildren
01.27.09 WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Rep. George Miller (D-CA), the chairman of the House Education and Labor Committee, today asked the U.S. Government Accountability Office to further investigate recent reports of seclusion and restraint of children in public and private schools across the country. Miller’s committee plans to hold a hearing on these practices in the coming months. Earlier this month, the National Disability Rights Network released a report detailing hundreds of cases where abusive uses of… Continue Reading
House Gives Final Approval to Restore Americans’ Rights to Challenge Discrimination Claims
01.27.09 WASHINGTON - The U.S. House of Representatives gave final approval today to reverse a Supreme Court ruling that has made it more difficult for Americans to pursue pay discrimination claims. The bill now goes to President Obama and will likely be the first major piece of legislation he signs into law. By a 250 to 177 vote, the House approved the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, which would clarify that every paycheck or other compensation resulting from an earlier discriminatory pay decision constit… Continue Reading
Chairman Miller Applauds Senate Passage of Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act
01.22.09 WASHINGTON, DC -- U.S. Rep. George Miller (D-CA), the chairman of the House Education and Labor Committee and chief House sponsor of the legislation, issued the following statement today after the Senate passed the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act by a 61 to 36 vote. The House passed the bill by a 247 to 171 vote on January 9. The legislation is on track to be one of the first bills sent to President Obama’s desk.“I applaud the Senate’s swift approval of the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act. Our nation … Continue Reading
Chairman Miller Congratulates Secretary Duncan
01.21.09 WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Rep. George Miller (D-CA), chairman of the House Education and Labor Committee today congratulated Arne Duncan on his confirmation as U.S. Secretary of Education. Duncan was among the first cabinet members of the Obama administration to be confirmed by the Senate yesterday. “I congratulate Arne Duncan on his much-deserved quick confirmation by the Senate. Secretary Duncan is not only a dynamic leader and a strong advocate for our schools and our students, he has a proven… Continue Reading
Chairmen Miller, Andrews Statement on Last-Minute Special Interest Regulation
01.16.09 WASHINGTON, DC -- U.S. Rep. George Miller (D-CA), the chairman of the House Education and Labor Committee, and Rep. Rob Andrews (D-NJ), issued the following statement on final regulations issued by the U.S. Department of Labor today that may undermine retirement savings plans of millions of Americans. It will allow financial services firms to offer potentially conflicted investment advice on workers’ retirement accounts."We are disappointed that the Bush administration moved forward to enact a … Continue Reading
Chairman Miller Highlights Details of Economic Recovery Package
01.15.09 WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Rep. George Miller (D-CA), the chairman of the House Education and Labor Committee, today highlighted key provisions of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Plan that will provide vital aid to children, students and workers, create jobs, and get the economy moving forward again. (Click here for school district information ») The House Appropriations Committee released full details of the legislation this morning. “With our economy worsening by the day, bold and strategi… Continue Reading
Report Reveals Severe Cases of Abuse and Neglect of Schoolchildren
01.13.09 WASHINGTON, D.C. - Schoolchildren around the country have been subject to abusive - and in some cases fatal - uses of seclusion and restraint by school administrators, teachers and staff, according to a new report released today by the National Disability Rights Network. The report, the first national effort to examine these practices in both public and private schools identified hundreds of cases where the abusive and negligent use of seclusion and restraint injured or traumatized students, man… Continue Reading
Miller: Duncan is Smart Choice for Education Secretary
01.13.09 WASHINGTON, D.C. -- U.S. Rep. George Miller (D-CA), the chairman of the House Education and Labor Committee, today voiced his ardent support for Arne Duncan the next Secretary of Education. He urged the Senate to pursue a quick confirmation. “Arne Duncan is an incredibly smart choice for Education Secretary. He is the right person, in the right position, at the right time. His leadership and commitment to improving our nation’s schools, along with his experience and proven track record of succes… Continue Reading
House Approves Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act
01.09.09 WASHINGTON, DC -- The House of Representatives today approved legislation to rectify a Supreme Court ruling that made it harder for Americans to pursue discrimination claims. The bill is among the first considered by the 111th Congress and passed by a 247 to 171 vote. The Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act (H.R. 11) would clarify that every paycheck or other compensation resulting from an earlier discriminatory pay decision constitutes a violation of the Civil Rights Act. As long as workers file their… Continue Reading
House Approves Bill to Help Close Gender Wage Gap
01.09.09 WASHINGTON, DC - The U.S. House of Representatives approved legislation today that would help end the discriminatory practice of paying men and women unequally for performing the same job. By a 256 to 163 vote, the House passed the Paycheck Fairness Act (H.R. 12), introduced by U.S. Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-CT), a bill that will strengthen the Equal Pay Act and close loopholes that have allowed many employers to avoid responsibility for discriminatory pay. The measure, along with the Lilly Ledbette… Continue Reading
Chairman Miller: Senate Should Quickly Confirm Rep. Solis as Next Secretary of Labor
01.09.09 WASHINGTON, D.C. -- U.S. Rep. George Miller (D-CA), the chairman of the House Education and Labor Committee, today offered his strong support of U.S. Rep. Hilda Solis as the next Secretary of Labor.“Congresswoman Hilda Solis is a strong champion of working families and will be an outstanding Secretary of Labor. Given our enormous economic challenges facing our nation, I urge the Senate to take swift action and confirm her nomination. “Congresswoman Solis will take the helm of the Department of … Continue Reading
Without Large-Scale Recovery Package, Economy Could Shut Down, Economists Tell Lawmakers
01.06.09 WASHINGTON, D.C. - A large scale economic recovery package is needed to create jobs quickly, provide relief for workers and families, help states facing severe budget shortfalls, and invest in innovation and emerging industries, a bipartisan panel of economic experts and scientists told lawmakers on Capitol Hill today. Economists warned that, unless comprehensive action is taken, the economy will shed another 3 million jobs in 2009, real Gross Domestic Product could drop by $750 billion, and the… Continue Reading
Chairman Miller Statement on the Passing of Claiborne Pell
01.02.09 WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congressman George Miller (D-CA), Chairman of the Committee on Education and Labor, today released the following statement on the death of former Senator Claiborne Pell. Senator Pell created the Pell Grant scholarship and established the National Endowment for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Humanities. “Senator Pell was an exemplary public servant and a true champion for students and young Americans. His vision of a college education for every American transformed… Continue Reading
Chairmen Miller, Andrews Praise Enactment of Bill to End Unfair Retirement Tax on Seniors
12.23.08 WASHINGTON, DC -- President Bush signed bipartisan legislation today to temporarily suspend a tax penalty for seniors who do not take a minimum withdrawal from their depleted retirement accounts in 2009, such as 401(k)s.The Worker, Retiree and Employer Recovery Act (H.R. 7327), introduced by U.S. Reps. George Miller (D-CA), Charles B. Rangel (D-NY), Howard P. “Buck” McKeon (R-CA), and Jim McCrery (R-LA), suspends an Internal Revenue Service requirement for one year that account holders of 401(k)… Continue Reading
Chairman Miller Applauds Obama’s Nomination of Solis as Secretary of Labor
12.19.08 WASHINGTON, DC -- U.S. Rep. George Miller (D-CA), the chairman of the House Education and Labor Committee, today praised President-Elect Barack Obama’s selection of U.S. Rep. Hilda Solis as the next Secretary of Labor.“Congresswoman Hilda Solis is a very strong champion of working families and will be an outstanding Secretary of Labor. Her record in the California legislature as a leader on labor issues and her excellent work in Congress on behalf our of nation’s working men and women will resto… Continue Reading
Miller Statement on US Trade Representative
12.19.08 WASHINGTON, DC -- U.S. Rep. George Miller (D-CA), the chairman of the House Education and Labor Committee, issued the following statement today on President-Elect Obama’s selection of Ron Kirk for U.S. Trade Representative.“I congratulate Ron Kirk on his selection as the next U.S. Trade Representative. Earlier this year, he spoke of the importance of ‘responsible trade.’ At this pivotal time for our nation’s economy, our competitiveness, and for the larger global community, I hope that he will c… Continue Reading