Rep. Miller: Obama’s New Economic Team, Jobs Plan Reflect Real Commitments to Strengthening the Middle Class

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Rep. George Miller (D-CA), the chairman of the House Education and Labor Committee, issued the following statement praising President-Elect Barack Obama’s selection of Timothy F. Geithner as Treasury Secretary, Lawrence H. Summers as director of the National Economic Council, Christina Romer as chair of the Council of Economic Advisors, and Melody Barnes as director of Domestic Policy Council for his incoming administration.

“Today, President-Elect Obama announced that creating a strong, vibrant American middle class will be central to the new administration’s economic policies. Both the appointment of his economic team and this weekend’s announcement of a bold economic recovery plan prove that he intends to do just that. It’s clear that America has a new President who understands that we won’t be able to rebuild our economy unless we invest its economic fundamentals – students, workers, and middle-class families. This is exactly the kind of leadership our nation needs during this critical time.

“President-Elect Obama has assembled a team of talented, seasoned and innovative individuals who are well-equipped to tackle both the immediate and long-term economic challenges we face. His plan to create millions of new jobs by investing in our crumbling infrastructure – our roads, bridges, schools – and in a more sustainable, energy-efficient future is the right approach to get our economy moving forward again. In the coming weeks, Congress will work in a bipartisan way to deliver this plan to his desk so we can help get America back to work.”

At an Education and Labor Committee hearing in October, economists predicted that, unless immediate action was taken to create jobs, the economy could fall deeper into recession and the unemployment rate could reach at least 8 percent. Witnesses testified that making infrastructure investments are some of the most effective uses of federal dollars that create jobs in both the short-term and the long-term. For more information on that hearing, click here.

Earlier this month, Miller announced that the committee's mission in the 111th Congress would be to rebuild and strengthen America’s middle class. For more information, click here.

Rep. George Miller announces Obama Inauguration Ticket Lottery

All CA-7 District Residents Eligible to Win One of Two Pairs of Tickets to Historic Swearing In Ceremony

Washington, DC – Rep. George Miller (D-Martinez) today announced a lottery to randomly distribute two pairs of tickets to President-elect Barack Obama's historic inauguration ceremony, which will be held on January 20th, 2009.

“The enthusiasm for this year’s presidential election and historic inauguration has been overwhelming” said Miller. “It is deeply inspiring to see such interest in attending the inauguration. It speaks to both the historic nature of the Barack Obama presidency, but also the sense of urgency the public has for change in our country.”

The lottery will be open to all 7th district constituents who are able to arrange their own transportation to and lodging in the DC area during the January event.

The deadline to register will be Sunday, Nov. 30th 11:59 PM PST on George Miller’s website. Rep. Miller will announce the drawing winner on Monday, Dec. 1st.

These two pairs of tickets are separate from the small allotment of tickets that Rep. Miller intends to distribute to a portion of the constituents who have already requested them.

“This election turned out to be different than any election before,” said Miller. “I want to be able to give every constituent, including those who just recently engaged in the democratic process, a chance to receive a ticket to view Barack Obama’s inauguration.”

Constituents must visit http://www.georgemiller.house.gov/inauguration to register for the lottery.

Miller also reminded 7th district residents that portions of the parade route and sections of the National Mall will be available for those without tickets to participate in this historic occasion. More information about the Inaugural ceremony and other events in Washington can be found at http://www.inaugural.senate.gov.

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