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 the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. This fund, included as part of the State Fiscal Stabilization Fund, is specifically intended to help support education, repair and modernize school facilities, and to backfill cuts to public safety and other essential state government services.
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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 millions of students, recent graduates and other borrowers.
“This help couldn’t be coming at a better time for borrowers in this tough economy, or for current and future students facing an escalating college affordability crisis,” said U.S. Rep. George Miller (D-CA), chair of the House Education and Labor Committee. “These benefits will make a serious difference for students and families working very hard to pay for college, and will provide millions of borrowers more flexibility in choosing a career they truly desire rather than one made necessary due to crippling student debt.”
“Under this new program, students no longer have to choose between serving their nation and communities and tackling a mountain of college debt,” explained U.S. Senator Edward M. Kennedy (D-MA). “Our nation is better and stronger when the best and brightest young Americans choose careers in public service.”
“This help couldn’t be coming at a better time for borrowers in this tough economy, or for current and future students facing an escalating college affordability crisis,” said U.S. Rep. George Miller (D-CA), chair of the House Education and Labor Committee. “These benefits will make a serious difference for students and families working very hard to pay for college, and will provide millions of borrowers more flexibility in choosing a career they truly desire rather than one made necessary due to crippling student debt.”
“Under this new program, students no longer have to choose between serving their nation and communities and tackling a mountain of college debt,” explained U.S. Senator Edward M. Kennedy (D-MA). “Our nation is better and stronger when the best and brightest young Americans choose careers in public service.”
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.
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 the energy bill. “Californians have led the nation in breaking our dependence on fossil fuels and have always known that the future belongs to clean energy technology jobs. It is long past time for us to stop sending our national treasure to pay for foreign oil. This bill gives us the opportunity to follow California’s lead and move America in a new energy direction.
“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 the energy bill. “Californians have led the nation in breaking our dependence on fossil fuels and have always known that the future belongs to clean energy technology jobs. It is long past time for us to stop sending our national treasure to pay for foreign oil. This bill gives us the opportunity to follow California’s lead and move America in a new energy direction.
Continue reading Miller Calls for Passage of Historic Climate Change Legislation.
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 legislation is also cosponsored by Reps. Lynn Woolsey (D-Calif.) and Marcy Kaptur (D-OH). The House introduced bill is H.R. 3042.
In the House, the legislation is also cosponsored by Reps. Lynn Woolsey (D-Calif.) and Marcy Kaptur (D-OH). The House introduced bill is H.R. 3042.
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 retirement accounts. Current law does not require disclosure of certain fees, and even for fee information that is available, it can be difficult for workers to find and evaluate.
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 retirement accounts. Current law does not require disclosure of certain fees, and even for fee information that is available, it can be difficult for workers to find and evaluate.
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 its upcoming efforts to enact student loan reforms that will make college more accessible for American families:
“Confusing paperwork shouldn’t stand between qualified students and a college degree. As families’ needs for college aid continue to grow in this economy, we have to ensure that students and parents can access an easy-to-navigate financial aid process designed to help them get the federal aid they are eligible for. Secretary Duncan has put forth commonsense proposals for streamlining the FAFSA, and Congress will examine how we can build on these steps as we work to make college more affordable by safeguarding and strengthening our federal student aid programs.”
“Confusing paperwork shouldn’t stand between qualified students and a college degree. As families’ needs for college aid continue to grow in this economy, we have to ensure that students and parents can access an easy-to-navigate financial aid process designed to help them get the federal aid they are eligible for. Secretary Duncan has put forth commonsense proposals for streamlining the FAFSA, and Congress will examine how we can build on these steps as we work to make college more affordable by safeguarding and strengthening our federal student aid programs.”
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 to quality, affordable health care. It would provide health care coverage to at least 95 percent of Americans by 2019, the most of any proposal to date.
“Consistent with President Obama’s goals, our discussion draft builds on what works and fixes what’s broken in our current system,” said U.S. Rep. George Miller (D-CA), the Chairman of the Education and Labor Committee and one of the authors of the draft. “It lays the foundation for an American solution that will reduce costs for families, businesses and taxpayers, guarantee choice of doctors and plans, and ensure that everyone has access to affordable, quality health care.”
“The Tri-Committee bill, I think, is an important step in coming up with a bill that does encompass so many of the principles that the President has said was important, and that the dual thing of expanding coverage and making the kinds of meaningful reforms that will slow the growth rate of cost,” said Dr. Christina Romer, the Chair of the White House Council of Economic Advisors.
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 to quality, affordable health care. It would provide health care coverage to at least 95 percent of Americans by 2019, the most of any proposal to date.
“Consistent with President Obama’s goals, our discussion draft builds on what works and fixes what’s broken in our current system,” said U.S. Rep. George Miller (D-CA), the Chairman of the Education and Labor Committee and one of the authors of the draft. “It lays the foundation for an American solution that will reduce costs for families, businesses and taxpayers, guarantee choice of doctors and plans, and ensure that everyone has access to affordable, quality health care.”
“The Tri-Committee bill, I think, is an important step in coming up with a bill that does encompass so many of the principles that the President has said was important, and that the dual thing of expanding coverage and making the kinds of meaningful reforms that will slow the growth rate of cost,” said Dr. Christina Romer, the Chair of the White House Council of Economic Advisors.
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 benefits by 2019.
Consistent with President Obama’s goals, the draft builds on what works in the current health care system by strengthening employer-provided care, while fixing what is broken with it. The draft would cover more Americans than any other proposal released to date.
Consistent with President Obama’s goals, the draft builds on what works in the current health care system by strengthening employer-provided care, while fixing what is broken with it. The draft would cover more Americans than any other proposal released to date.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Rep. George Miller (D-CA), the chairman of the Education and Labor Committee, today announced that new staff will be joining the committee to focus on worker safety and health, higher education and K-12 education policies.
“These talented staffers join our committee at a time when our goal of rebuilding and strengthening America’s middle class is more important than ever,” Miller said. “Each of them brings a tremendous level of experience and expertise to the table and I look forward to working with them to make our workplaces safer and healthier and improve educational opportunities for all Americans.
“These talented staffers join our committee at a time when our goal of rebuilding and strengthening America’s middle class is more important than ever,” Miller said. “Each of them brings a tremendous level of experience and expertise to the table and I look forward to working with them to make our workplaces safer and healthier and improve educational opportunities for all Americans.
Continue reading Chairman Miller Announces New Staff for Education and Labor Committee.