During a recent news conference, when asked about his plans for early-childhood education, Rep. George Miller confidently replied, "Both." As a California Democrat, he expressed his ambition to expand Head Start and establish a universal preschool program with a smile on his face. Rep. Miller, who will lead a ambitious agenda when the Democrats assume the majority in the House of Representatives next month, is the chairman of the Education and the Workforce Committee. In this role, he will oversee the restructuring of student-aid programs, the overhaul of Head Start, the potential initiation of a federal universal prekindergarten effort, and the reauthorization of the No Child Left Behind Act. Additionally, he plans to hold oversight hearings to evaluate how the Bush administration has managed the federal Reading First program and other initiatives. Rep. Miller’s responsibilities within the committee also extend to labor policy, where he will contribute to fulfilling the Democrats’ commitment to increasing the minimum wage and safeguarding workers’ pensions, as well as overseeing investigations into workplace safety. He regards these diverse responsibilities as part of a "simple, but urgent" mission to enhance the earning power of middle-income Americans, a matter which he believes is of paramount importance. Rep. Miller, now 61 years old, has spent 32 years in the House of Representatives. Coming from a family deeply involved in Democratic politics, his desire to help others stems from his upbringing and seeing his father, the late George Miller Jr., provide assistance to those in need. Capturing his first congressional seat at the age of 29 in 1974, he secured a reliably Democratic district reflective of his liberal beliefs. With an union heritage and a growing diverse population, Congressman Miller has successfully championed traditional Democratic Party issues, including the expansion of federal education policies. Over the course of his career, he has sponsored laws that address foster care reform, environmental concerns, and the protection of the California desert. As the chairman of the House Education and the Workforce Committee, Rep. Miller’s experience, passion, and commitment to education and labor policy make him an influential figure in shaping the future of these areas in the United States.

Rep. Miller and Sen. Edward M. Kennedy worked together to create the No Child Left Behind law, a crucial domestic priority for President Bush. This law, signed in 2002, revamped the Elementary and Secondary Education Act and required schools to demonstrate improvements in student achievement, particularly in the Title I program.

Rep. Miller expressed his support for the law because of its accountability measures, which require districts and schools to prove that students are learning. He emphasized the lack of accountability and standards before the NCLB law. He also advocated for a provision that mandates all teachers to meet the definition of highly qualified in their respective states.

Many were surprised by Rep. Miller’s support for the law, but it aligned with his priorities of improving opportunities for low-income students and finding innovative approaches to achieving that goal. Despite criticism of the law’s prescriptive nature, Rep. Miller remained committed to its goals.

Republicans appreciated working with Rep. Miller because he challenged traditional Democratic interest groups, such as teachers’ unions, on issues like accountability. Rep. Howard P. McKeon praised the committee’s bipartisan approach to education issues.

Rep. Miller’s support for the legislation demonstrated his dedication to improving schools. He carefully considered these issues and remained open to others’ concerns. While unpopular among educators, Rep. Miller saw value in the law’s focus on ensuring quality instruction for all students.

However, Rep. Miller acknowledged the need for changes to the 5-year-old law. He recognized the importance of modifying accountability rules to incentivize schools based on student achievement growth. He promised to lead the House in reauthorizing the federal law, a priority shared by the Bush administration.

Many in Washington recognized the challenges of passing a bill by the 2007 deadline due to other pressing issues and the law’s complexity. Nevertheless, Rep. Miller reaffirmed the importance of raising standards and expressed his ambition to push the reauthorization bill forward.