George Miller (California politician) explained

George Miller
Office:Chair of the House Education Committee
Term Start:January 3, 2007
Term End:January 3, 2011
Predecessor:Buck McKeon
Successor:John Kline
Office1:Chair of the House Natural Resources Committee
Term Start1:May 4, 1991
Term End1:January 3, 1995
Predecessor1:Mo Udall
Successor1:Don Young
Office2:Member of the
U.S. House of Representatives
from California
Constituency2:
Term Start2:January 3, 1975
Term End2:January 3, 2015
Predecessor2:Jerome Waldie
Successor2:Mark DeSaulnier
Birth Date:17 May 1945
Birth Place:Richmond, California, U.S.
Party:Democratic
Parents:George Miller Jr. (father)
Spouse:Cynthia Caccavo
Children:2
Education:Diablo Valley College
San Francisco State University (BA)
University of California, Davis (JD)

George Miller III (born May 17, 1945) is an American politician who served as a U.S. representative from California from 1975 to 2015. A member of the Democratic Party, he represented the state's 7th congressional district until redistricting in 2013 and 11th congressional district until his retirement. Miller served as Chairman of the House Natural Resources Committee from 1991 to 1995 and Chairman of the House Education and Labor Committee from 2007 until 2011.

Education and early career

He was born in Richmond, California, the son of George Miller Jr., a leader of the liberal wing of the California Democratic Party at the time. He graduated from Diablo Valley Community College and San Francisco State University.

After his father died on New Year's Day 1969, Miller ran in a March 1969 special election to succeed him in California's 7th State Senate district, but Republican John A. Nejedly defeated him 57% to 42%.[1]

He then attended the University of California, Davis School of Law (King Hall), where he received his Juris Doctor. Miller served as legislative assistant to California State Senate Majority Leader George Moscone before entering the United States House of Representatives.

U.S. House of Representatives

Elections

In 1974, incumbent Democratic U.S. Representative Jerome Waldie gave up his seat to make an unsuccessful run for Governor of California. Miller decided to run for the open seat, which had been renumbered from the 14th congressional district to the 7th congressional district in a mid-decade redistricting. He won the primary with a plurality of 38%.[2] In the general election, he defeated Republican Gary Fernandez 56% to 44%,[3] the lowest winning percentage of his career. He went on to win reelection 18 times and never won with less than 60% of the vote.[4]

On April 10, 1975, Miller walked out of the House chamber during President Ford's State of the Union Address when he requested military aid for South Vietnam.[5]

2012

After redistricting, Miller's district was redrawn and renumbered the 11th. He ran against, and defeated, Republican Virginia Fuller in the general election.[6]

In a 2012 campaign ad, Miller said that the main challenge the U.S. faces is the need “to correct the disparities that exist in our country.”[7]

Tenure

According to a 2013 article in the National Journal, Miller was one of seven members of the 113th Congress House of Representatives who tied for most liberal.[8]

In 2011–12, Miller sponsored 10 bills (placing him at #40 out of 440 House members), none of which were made into law (ranks 18 of 440). He co-sponsored 199 bills (placing him at #138 out of 440), 4 of which were made into law (ranks 17 of 440).[9]

During Miller's 1974 campaign, he routinely disclosed his donors and expenses, taking advantage of the Watergate scandal that was still in the minds of voters. This helped get him a seat in the House at the age of 29, becoming one of the Watergate Babies. At the time of his retirement, he was one of the last surviving members of the large Democratic freshman class of 1974, and had spent over half of his life in Congress.[10] Miller has been described as someone who has "proven himself both a liberal lion ...and savvy about working both sides of the aisle.”

With his father being the former chairman of the state Senate Finance Committee and mentor Phillip Burton being an integral part of liberal politics in the 1970s, Miller has been described as the “heir to a tradition of Bay Area working-class politics.” Miller had one of the most liberal voting records in the House, and brings "a zest for political combat." A review of Miller's career states that, although he has been unsuccessful in his pursuit of top party positions, he has "learned a legislator’s virtues of patience, timing, and creativity."[11]

Environmental issuesIn the House, Miller was a member of the Natural Resources Committee; he was that Committee's chairman from 1991 to 1994. Miller supported efforts to preserve public lands such as the 1994 California Desert Protection Act, which among other things created Death Valley National Park and Joshua Tree National Park. In addition, Miller was the chief sponsor of the Central Valley Project Improvement Act of 1992, which mandated that the federal government's Bureau of Reclamation manage the Central Valley Project in order to better protect the fish and wildlife populations of California's Bay-Delta region.[12] Miller lost his chairmanship when Republicans won control of Congress in 1994. He stayed as the committee's Ranking Member until 2000, and remained on the committee as a member until 2015. Miller was also a member of the Congressional Wildlife Refuge Caucus.
Labor issuesFrom 2001 to 2006, Miller was the ranking Democrat on the Education and the Workforce Committee. With that committee's chairman and their Senate counterparts, Miller helped draft the No Child Left Behind Act in 2001 and 2002. Miller has focused on pension issues, reinstating Davis-Bacon Act wage protections for Gulf Coast workers in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. In addition, Miller has worked on education issues such as protesting student aid cuts,[13] increasing No Child Left Behind Act funding, and investigating the Bush administration's hiring of Armstrong Williams to promote that law. Miller has also been a vocal advocate of labor and immigration reform in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.[14] In 2007, as chairman of the House Education and Labor Committee, Miller sponsored the Fair Minimum Wage Act of 2007, which was enacted into law as an amendment to another bill. In 2001, Miller said, "The secret ballot is absolutely necessary in order to ensure that workers are not intimidated into voting for a union they might not otherwise choose." He was an "outspoken critic of the apparel industry record on worker safety in foreign factories, most recently in Bangladesh."[15]
Education

Miller's biggest defeat was when he lost 424-1[16] in congress for his amendment to House Resolution 6 of 1994.[17] His refusal to make provision for homeschooling caused the national home school community to lobby the whole congress against Miller's amendment[18] to the Improving America's Schools Act of 1994. Miller sponsored the Protecting Students from Sexual and Violent Predators Act, a bill that would require school districts receiving federal funds to give all employees criminal background checks.[19] The bill passed the House of Representatives on October 22, 2013.[19]

Port Chicago disasterMiller has petitioned to clear the names of the sailors of the World War II Port Chicago disaster in which more than 200 black men were court-martialed and 50 convicted of mutiny for refusing to continue to load ammunition onto warships after a tremendous explosion killed hundreds. For the most part, Miller's efforts failed. By 1999, only three of the sailors convicted of mutiny were still alive. That year, at Miller's behest, President Bill Clinton pardoned Freddie Meeks, one of the 50 convicted mutineers.[20] In addition, Miller wrote the legislation to designate the site of the event as a National Memorial.[21] [22]
Native American gamingMiller was a supporter of Native American gaming. In 2000, as ranking member of the House Resource Committee, Miller inserted an amendment to the Omnibus Indian Advancement Act that took an existing cardroom into federal trust for the Lytton Band of Pomo Indians. The amendment made the land acquisition retroactive to 1987, stating that "[s]uch land shall be deemed to have been held in trust and part of the reservation of the Rancheria prior to October 17, 1988."[23] This allowed the Lyttons to open a casino at the cardroom under the terms of the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act of 1988. Some members of Congress and the gambling industry called the amendment "underhanded," while other politicians have judged the process to be nothing out of the ordinary.[24] When Donald Trump protested the issuance of gaming licenses to Native Americans, saying the recipients didn't look like Indians to him, Miller responded:[25]

"Thank God that's not the test of whether or not people have rights in this country or not – whether or not they pass your 'look' test."

In 2024, Ana Cabrera of MSNBC remarked, "Congressman George Miller of California, who had confronted Trump in 1993...said that was the most irresponsible testimony he had heard in his 40 years in Congress."[25]

2008 presidential electionMiller, a superdelegate in the Democratic Party's 2008 presidential primary, pledged his support to Barack Obama despite the fact that his district voted for Hillary Clinton. Miller cited Obama's grassroots fundraising campaign, first-place win in the Iowa caucus and strong showing in the New Hampshire primary, leadership style and opposition to the Iraq War as reasons for his endorsement. The endorsement was first reported in the Contra Costa Times on January 9, 2008.[26]
Relationship with Nancy PelosiMiller has been considered Nancy Pelosi's most trusted confidant, with conservative columnist Robert Novak describing him as "her consigliere, always at her side."[27] Pelosi receives advice from Miller as well as protection from potential adversaries in the Democratic Caucus. Miller describes her as the leader he has been waiting for 30 years and supported her when the Democrats lost the majority in 2010, saying that the Obama administration did not defend her or her accomplishments. Pelosi also named Miller chairman of the Democratic Policy Committee, where he had an influential role in preparing the "New Direction" for the 2006 election.[11]

Their friendship has spanned "over 30 years and many plane trips to Washington from their neighboring California districts," with some colleagues saying that they have become so close that they finish each other's sentences. The New York Times reported that "In the concerns of some Democrats — and the I-told-you-so’s of some Republicans — Mr. Miller represents Mrs. Pelosi’s true liberal soul.”[28]

SunPower controversyIt was reported that Miller and his son, George Miller IV, a lobbyist, were involved in the controversy surrounding the U.S. Department of Energy awarding a $1.2 billion loan to the struggling SunPower Corporation.[29] The loan was awarded hours before the DOE program was set to expire. It was reported that by April 2012, the company's stock had fallen nearly 50% since the loan had been awarded. SunPower paid Miller's son and his lobbying firm US$138,000 to represent them. Miller asserted that he and his son never discuss legislation; his son, however, does boast openly of political connections in Washington.[29]
Accepting free travelIn January 2012, Miller was cited as one of the members of Congress who had accepted the most free travel the previous year.[30]

Committee assignments

Caucus memberships

Personal life

Miller owned a townhouse in Capitol Hill, Washington, D.C. for decades, renting rooms to fellow members of the U.S. House, even after some moved to the Senate. His longest-standing tenants were Nancy Pelosi and Senators Chuck Schumer and Dick Durbin.[32] [33] Miller purchased the residence in 1977 and sold it when he retired from the House at the end of 2014.[34] Prior tenants included former Representatives Marty Russo, Leon Panetta and Sam Gejdenson.[35]

Further reading

External links

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Notes and References

  1. Web site: Our Campaigns - CA State Senate 07- Special Election Race - Mar 25, 1969. Ourcampaigns.com. 25 April 2018.
  2. Web site: Our Campaigns - CA District 7 - D Primary Race - Jun 04, 1974. Ourcampaigns.com. 25 April 2018.
  3. Web site: Our Campaigns - CA District 7 Race - Nov 05, 1974. Ourcampaigns.com. 25 April 2018.
  4. Web site: Our Campaigns - Candidate - George Miller. Ourcampaigns.com. 25 April 2018.
  5. News: Congress Due to Reject Military Aid For Viet . 12 November 2019 . Arkansas City Traveler . Associated Press . 4 April 1975.
  6. Web site: Challenger Fuller takes on long-term incumbent Miller for Congress. Antioch Herald.
  7. Web site: Rep. George Miller: Reignite the American Dream . George Miller for Congress . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20120818003651/http://www.georgemillerforcongress.com/about . 2012-08-18 .
  8. Top Ten Liberal Representatives . The National Journal . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20131004222414/http://www.nationaljournal.com/congress/most-liberal-members-of-congress-20110226?mrefid=site_search&page=1 . 2013-10-04 .
  9. Web site: Rep. George Miller . Open Congress . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20120814102644/http://www.opencongress.org/people/show/400278_George_Miller . 2012-08-14 .
  10. News: Miller Path to Power. https://web.archive.org/web/20140129004512/http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/george-miller-d-calif/gIQA38Ad9O_topic.html#path-to-power. dead. January 29, 2014. Washington Post . February 8, 2013.
  11. NJ Almanac George Miller . https://archive.today/20120825231549/http://www.nationaljournal.com/almanac/person/george-miller-ca/ . dead . 2012-08-25 . National Journal .
  12. Web site: Central Valley Project Improvement Act (CVPIA) - Mid-Pacific Region - Bureau of Reclamation. Mid-Pacific Region Bureau of. Reclamation. Usbr.gov. 25 April 2018. 28 June 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180628183821/https://www.usbr.gov/mp/cvpia/index.html. dead.
  13. News: Groups gird to battle Congress' proposed student aid cuts . The San Francisco Chronicle . Lois . Romano . August 28, 2010.
  14. http://www.house.gov/georgemiller/marianas.html Information from Congressman George Miller on the Northern Marianas Islands
  15. Web site: Rep. George Miller, Worker Rights Advocate, to Retire . WWD . 13 January 2014 . 14 January 2014 . Ellis, Kristi.
  16. Web site: Final Vote for Roll Call 31. Clerk of the US House of Representatives. 2019-09-07.
  17. Web site: H.Amdt.439 to H.R.6 103rd Congress (1993-1994). Library of Congress. 2019-09-07.
  18. Web site: HSLDA Marking the Milestones : The History of HSLDA (The Battle of H.R. 6). hslda.org. 2019-09-07.
  19. News: Kasperowicz. Pete. House votes to require criminal background checks on school employees. 25 October 2013. The Hill. 22 October 2013.
  20. Web site: Port Chicago Disaster - The Pardon. https://web.archive.org/web/20001206172300/http://www.cccoe.k12.ca.us/pc/the_pardon.htm. dead. 6 December 2000. Cccoe.k12.ca.us. 25 April 2018.
  21. http://www.house.gov/georgemiller/ptchicmain.html Congressman Miller's Port Chicago Page
  22. Web site: Port Chicago Naval Magazine National Memorial: World War II in the San Francisco Bay Area: A National Register of Historic Places Travel Itinerary. Cr.nps.gov. 25 April 2018. 3 December 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20131203014630/http://www.cr.nps.gov/nr/travel/wwIIbayarea/por.htm. dead.
  23. Web site: WAIS Document Retrieval . 2006-02-15 . https://web.archive.org/web/20051015105814/http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getdoc.cgi?dbname=106_cong_public_laws . 2005-10-15 . dead .
  24. https://san.secure.newtimes.com/issues/2001-06-06/news/feature_5.html
  25. https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/msnbc-resurfaces-decades-old-video-of-irresponsible-trump-attacking-indians/ar-BB1r6cHX MSNBC resurfaces decades-old video of 'irresponsible' Trump attacking 'Indians'
  26. Web site: George Miller endorses Obama. 9 January 2008. Contracostatimes.com. 25 April 2018.
  27. Book: 2014 Almanac of American Politics . Barone . Chuck . McCutcheon. Michael . The University of Chicago Press . 2013.
  28. News: Zernike. Kate. Pelosi's Ascendancy in House Puts a Close Liberal Ally in the Spotlight. The New York Times. 25 November 2006.
  29. News: Hot water rising for Rep. Miller, son. The Washington Examiner. 6 April 2012.
  30. News: Members of Congress Travel Far on Private Groups' Dime. Roll Call.
  31. http://files/eric.ed.gov/fulltext/ED245830.pdf
  32. Web site: Schumer and Durbin: Roommates to rivals?Schumer and Durbin: Roommates to rivals? . Madden . Mike . April 23, 2010 . Salon . September 18, 2010.
  33. News: The real 'Alpha House': Rep. George Miller's congressional group house on Capitol Hill . June 4, 2013 . The Washington Post's The Reliable Source . August 11, 2015.
  34. News: Durbin Moves Out of Congressional "Frat House". December 26, 2014 . NBC Chicago . August 11, 2015.
  35. News: AT HOME WITH GEORGE MILLER, RICHARD J. DURBIN, CHARLES E. SCHUMER AND BILL DELAHUNT; Taking Power, Sharing Cereal . Leibovich . Mark . January 18, 2007 . The New York Times . September 18, 2010.

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