Labor Day is an important time to take stock of the state of working America. From my vantage point, the picture is bleak.
Our nation is experiencing a jobs crisis, and on two fronts. First, millions of Americans who could and want to be working are not. And for...
Posted June 14, 2010 | 19:23:34 (EST)
On June 14, U.S. trade negotiators will meet in San Francisco with their counterparts from seven countries to negotiate what could become President Obama's first trade agreement -- the Trans-Pacific Partnership, or TPP. These talks provide an excellent opportunity for the President to deliver on his campaign commitments and break...
Posted April 14, 2010 | 17:04:44 (EST)
(Below is Chairman Miller's prepared floor statement on the House resolution on the Upper Big Branch Mine Explosion (H.Res. 1236).)
On Monday, April 5th, an explosion rocked the Upper Big Branch coal mine in Montcoal, West Virginia, killing 29 miners and injuring others. This was the worst mine...
Posted March 11, 2010 | 13:28:06 (EST)
(These are the prepared remarks of Education and Committee Chairman George Miller from today's press conference on the urgent need to include student loan reform as part of the reconciliation.)
Senate Democrats have a very simple choice to make in the next few weeks.
This choice speaks to the true...
Posted February 17, 2010 | 13:36:50 (EST)
One year ago, our nation was headed toward an economic collapse, shedding an average of 600,000 jobs a month. State and local budget cutbacks were putting teachers' jobs -- and our students' education -- in peril. Our economy was in need of emergency triage that would immediately begin to save...
Posted February 4, 2010 | 12:07:15 (EST)
Today, the Committee on Education and Labor considered the Preventing Harmful Restraint and Seclusion in Schools Act. Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers and I introduced this bill in December for a simple reason: all children should be safe and protected at school.
Last year, the U.S. Government Accountability...
Posted February 2, 2010 | 15:04:17 (EST)
Everyday, our children are accumulating debt and interest they'll spend their lives paying off, curtailing their ability to meet challenges and invest in the future. How do we get our country out of its $1.35 trillion hole?
Democrats have faced that question before when having to clean up other people's...
Posted January 22, 2010 | 15:58:36 (EST)
A lot of things may have changed in light of the Massachusetts special election upset Tuesday, but one thing that remains the same is the health insurance crisis in America. We must address this crisis.
Health care costs are unsustainable; they're still crushing families, small businesses and large companies. When...
Posted July 24, 2009 | 10:56:21 (EST)
I am proud to announce that millions of Americans will receive a much-needed pay raise today.
Almost four and a half million workers in 31 states will see a bigger paycheck when the federal minimum wage increases from $6.55 per hour to $7.25 per hour. This is the final...
Posted July 15, 2009 | 18:42:44 (EST)
Republicans and right wing commentators who oppose health care reform hope to turn our effort at lowering costs and expanding access into a debate about whether or not to tax small businesses. In opposing our reform they would instead continue the hidden health care tax on all Americans that exceeds...
Posted July 9, 2009 | 21:38:50 (EST)
America is in a massive fiscal hole. And on behalf of President Obama, we have helped to introduce a bill designed to start digging us out: pay-as-you-go, or PAYGO. The idea behind PAYGO is simple: our country, like any family struggling with deep credit card debt, must start paying for...
Posted July 1, 2009 | 10:55:40 (EST)
Today new benefits go into effect that will make monthly student loan payments more manageable and affordable for millions of students and borrowers struggling to stay afloat in this tough economic climate.
These benefits were enacted as part of the College Cost Reduction and Access Act, a...
Posted June 19, 2009 | 15:46:56 (EST)
Below are the prepared remarks of Chairman George Miller at a press conference with the chairs of the other committees with health policy jurisdiction at the U.S. House of Representatives to unveil the Tri-Committee Discussion Draft for Health Care Reform.
Today marks a historic moment in America's urgent quest...
Posted January 13, 2009 | 11:00:01 (EST)
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 success as the Chief Executive Officer of the Chicago...
Posted January 9, 2009 | 11:21:32 (EST)
Congresswoman Hilda Solis is a strong champion of working families and will be an outstanding Secretary of Labor. Given the 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 Labor during...
Posted November 17, 2008 | 14:52:33 (EST)
On Friday, a Wall Street Journal editorial further perpetuated an active campaign that is blatantly misrepresenting Democratic efforts to preserve and strengthen Americans' retirement security. In light of these ongoing distortions, Chairman George Miller reiterated the committee's legislative priorities in preparation for the next Congress' efforts to help Americans...
Posted November 5, 2008 | 12:21:35 (EST)
Yesterday's historic election of Senators Barack Obama and Joe Biden as our next President and Vice President was a true victory for every child, student, worker and family in America. I congratulate Senators Obama and Biden, and I look forward to working closely with them to change the direction of...
Posted October 7, 2008 | 13:52:19 (EST)
This statement was made today by Chairman George Miller at the House Education and Labor Committee's hearing on the "Impact of the Financial Crisis on Workers' Retirement Security."
Good afternoon.
Last week, Congress approved an emergency rescue plan in response to the worst financial crisis our country has seen...
Posted September 1, 2008 | 11:42:03 (EST)
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. But for millions of Americans there is little cause for celebration. While workers' wages have fallen, the cost of living has skyrocketed, the unemployment...
Posted July 24, 2008 | 12:11:06 (EST)
Today, the national minimum wage increases by 70 cents, from $5.85 per hour to $6.55 per hour. I am proud to say that this is the second of three increases due to take effect under the Fair Minimum Wage Act, enacted by this Democratic Congress and signed into law...

Posted September 2, 2011 | 15:56:07 (EST)