George Miller (California U.S. House member)

This page was current at the end of the official's last term in office covered by Ballotpedia. Please contact us with any updates.

George Miller

Democratic Party

Prior offices

U.S. House California District 11

---

Compensation

Net worth

(2012) $651,504

Education

Associate

Diablo Valley College

Bachelor's

San Francisco State University, 1968

Law

University of California, Davis, 1972

Personal

Religion

Christian: Catholic

Profession

Attorney

George Miller (b. May 17, 1945, in Richmond, CA) is a former Democratic member of the U.S. House. He represented California's 11th Congressional District from 1975 to 2015. He did not seek re-election in 2014.^[1]

Miller began his political career as a legislative assistant to the Senate Majority Leader of the California State Senate. He worked in that position from 1969 until his election to the U.S. House in 1974.

Career[edit]

Below is an abbreviated outline of Miller's academic, professional, and political career:^[2]

• 1965: Graduated from Diablo Valley College with A.A.
• 1968: Graduated from San Francisco State University with B.A.
• 1972: Graduated from University of California Law School, Davis with J.D.
• 1969-1974: Legislative assistant to senate majority leader, California state legislature
• 1975-2015: U.S. Representative from California

Committee assignments[edit]

U.S. House[edit]

2013-2014[edit]

Miller served on the following committees:^[3]

• Education and the Workforce Committee, Ranking Member

2011-2012[edit]

Miller served on the following committees:^[4]

• Education and the Workforce Committee, Ranking Member
  • Subcommittee on Health, Employment, Labor, and Pensions
  • Subcommittee on Workforce Protections

Key votes[edit]

113th Congress[edit]

The second session of the 113th Congress enacted into law 224 out of the 3215 introduced bills (7 percent). Comparatively, the 112th Congress had 4.2 percent of introduced bills enacted into law in the second session.^[5] For more information pertaining to Miller's voting record in the 113th Congress, please see the below sections.^[6]

National security[edit]

NDAA[edit]

Miller voted against HR 1960 - the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2014. The bill passed the House on June 14, 2013, with a vote of 315 - 108. Both parties were somewhat divided on the vote.^[7]

DHS Appropriations[edit]

Miller voted against HR 2217 - the DHS Appropriations Act of 2014. The bill passed the House on June 6, 2013, with a vote of 245 - 182 that was largely along party lines.^[8]

CISPA (2013)[edit]

Miller voted against HR 624 - the CISPA (2013). The bill passed the House on April 18, 2013, with a vote of 288 - 127. The bill permitted federal intelligence agencies to share cybersecurity intelligence and information with private entities and utilities. The bill was largely supported by Republicans, but divided the Democratic Party.^[9]

Economy[edit]

Farm bill[edit]

On January 29, 2014, the U.S. House approved the Federal Agriculture Reform and Risk Management Act of 2013, H.R. 2642, known as the Farm Bill.^[10] The bill passed by a vote of 251-166. The nearly 1,000-page bill provides for the reform and continuation of agricultural and other programs of the Department of Agriculture through 2018. The $1 trillion bill expanded crop insurance for farmers by $7 billion over the next decade and created new subsidies for rice and peanut growers that would kick in when prices drop.^[11][12] However, cuts to the food stamp program cut an average of $90 per month for 1.7 million people in 15 states.^[12] Miller voted with 102 other Democratic representatives against the bill.

2014 Budget[edit]

On January 15, 2014, the Republican-run House approved H.R. 3547, a $1.1 trillion spending bill to fund the government through September 30, 2014.^[13][14] The House voted 359-67 for the 1,582 page bill, with 64 Republicans and three Democrats voting against the bill.^[14] The omnibus package included 12 annual spending bills to fund federal operations.^[15] It included a 1 percent increase in the paychecks of federal workers and military personnel, a $1 billion increase in Head Start funding for early childhood education, reduced funding to the Internal Revenue Service and the Environmental Protection Agency, and the protection of the Affordable Care Act from any drastic cuts. Miller joined with the majority of the Democratic party and voted in favor of the bill.^[13][14]

Government shutdown[edit]

See also: United States budget debate, 2013

On September 30, 2013, the House passed a final stopgap spending bill before the shutdown went into effect. The bill included a one-year delay of the Affordable Care Act's individual mandate and would have also stripped the bill of federal subsidies for congressional members and staff. It passed through the House with a vote of 228-201.^[16] At 1 a.m. on October 1, 2013, one hour after the shutdown officially began, the House voted to move forward with going to a conference. In short order, Sen. Harry Reid rejected the call to conference.^[17] Miller voted against the stopgap spending bill that would have delayed the individual mandate.^[18]

The shutdown ended on October 16, 2013, when the House took a vote on HR 2775 after it was approved by the Senate. The bill to reopen the government lifted the $16.7 trillion debt limit and funded the government through January 15, 2014. Federal employees also received retroactive pay for the shutdown period. The only concession made by Senate Democrats was to require income verification for Obamacare subsidies.^[19] The House passed the legislation shortly after the Senate, by a vote of 285-144, with all 144 votes against the legislation coming from Republican members. Miller voted for HR 2775.^[20]

Federal Pay Adjustment Act[edit]

Miller voted against HR 273 - Eliminates the 2013 Statutory Pay Adjustment for Federal Employees. The bill passed the House on February 15, 2013, with a vote of 261 - 154. The bill called for stopping a 0.5 percent pay increase for all federal workers from taking effect. The raises were projected to cost $11 billion over 10 years.^[21]

Immigration[edit]

Morton Memos Prohibition[edit]

Miller voted against House Amendment 136 - Prohibits the Enforcement of the Immigration Executive Order. The amendment was adopted by the House on June 6, 2013, with a vote of 224 - 201. The purpose of the amendment as stated on the official text is to "prohibit the use of funds to finalize, implement, administer, or enforce the Morton Memos." These memos would have granted administrative amnesty to certain individuals residing in the United States without legal status.^[22] The vote largely followed party lines.^[23]

Healthcare[edit]

Healthcare Reform Rules[edit]

Miller did not vote on House Amendment 450 - Requires Congressional Approval for Any Rules Under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. The amendment was adopted by the House on August 2, 2013, with a vote of 227-185. The amendment requires that all changes to the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act be approved by Congress before taking effect. The vote was largely along party lines.^[24]

Social issues[edit]

Abortion[edit]

Miller voted against HR 1797 - Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act. The resolution passed the House on June 18, 2013, with a vote of 228 - 196 that largely followed party lines. The purpose of the bill was to ban abortions that would take place 20 or more weeks after fertilization.^[25]

Previous congressional sessions[edit]

Fiscal Cliff[edit]

Miller voted for the fiscal cliff compromise bill, which made permanent most of the Bush tax cuts originally passed in 2001 and 2003 while also raising tax rates on the highest income levels. He was one of 172 Democrats who voted in favor of the bill. The bill was passed in the House by a 257 - 167 vote on January 1, 2013.^[26]

Issues[edit]

American response in Syria[edit]

See also: United States involvement in Syria

On August 29, 2013, 53 House Democrats signed a letter written by California Rep. Barbara Lee that called for a congressional resolution on strikes and cautioned that the situation in Syria "should not draw us into an unwise war—especially without adhering to our constitutional requirements."^[27][28] The letter also called on the Obama administration to work with the U.N. Security Council “to build international consensus” condemning the alleged use of chemical weapons. Miller was one of the 53 Democrats in the House to sign the letter.^[27][28]

Campaign spending[edit]

Miller discussed California's top-two primary system and campaign spending on MSNBC's "The Daily Rundown." He said, "That anonymous, secret money is, to me, … as dangerous as anything that’s ever been pointed at our democracy." When asked about his thoughts on the effects of California's primary system, he continued, "I think we don’t know yet. So far … the top two running just means you have to spend twice as much money. It doesn’t really lead to different results. I’m much more concerned about whether or not you have a fair and open reapportionment system, and then I’m deeply concerned about the advance of anonymous, large amounts of money. I think it destroys the impact of local communities on who their candidates and who their representatives are going to be."^[29]

Elections[edit]

2014[edit]

See also: California's 11th Congressional District elections, 2014

Miller chose to retire rather than seek re-election in 2014.

2012[edit]

See also: California's 11th Congressional District elections, 2012

Miller won re-election in the 2012 election for the U.S. House, representing California's 11th District as a Democrat.^[30] He was displaced from the 7th District by redistricting. He and Virginia Fuller (R) advanced past the blanket primary on June 5, 2012, defeating John Fitzgerald (D) and Cheryl Sudduth (D). Miller then defeated Fuller in the general election on November 6, 2012.^[31][32]

U.S. House, California District 11 General Election, 2012
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Democratic	George Miller Incumbent	69.7%	200,743
	Republican	Virginia Fuller	30.3%	87,136
Total Votes				287,879
Source: California Secretary of State "Official Election Results, 2012 General Election"

U.S. House, California District 11 Open Primary, 2012
Candidate	Vote %	Votes
George Miller (D) Incumbent	58.5%	76,163
Virginia Fuller (R)	31%	40,333
John Fitzgerald (D)	7%	9,092
Cheryl Sudduth (D)	3.6%	4,635
Total Votes		130,223

2010[edit]

On November 2, 2010, George Miller won re-election to the United States House. He defeated Rick Tubbs (R) in the general election.^[33]

U.S. House, California District 7 General Election, 2010
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Democratic	George Miller incumbent	68.3%	122,435
	Republican	Rick Tubbs	31.7%	56,764
Total Votes				179,199

Full history[edit]

To view the full congressional electoral history for George Miller, click [show] to expand the section.

2008 On November 4, 2008, George Miller won re-election to the United States House. He defeated Roger Allen Petersen (R), Bill Callison (P&F) and Camden McConnell (L) in the general election.[34] U.S. House, California District 7 General Election, 2008 Party Candidate Vote % Votes      Democratic George Miller incumbent 72.8% 170,962      Republican Roger Allen Petersen 21.8% 51,166      Peace and Freedom Bill Callison 2.9% 6,695      Libertarian Camden McConnell 2.5% 5,950 Total Votes 234,773 2006 On November 7, 2006, George Miller won re-election to the United States House. He defeated Camden McConnell (L) in the general election.[35] U.S. House, California District 7 General Election, 2006 Party Candidate Vote % Votes      Democratic George Miller incumbent 84% 118,000      Libertarian Camden McConnell 16% 22,486 Total Votes 140,486 2004 On November 2, 2004, George Miller won re-election to the United States House. He defeated Charles Hargrave (R) in the general election.[36] U.S. House, California District 7 General Election, 2004 Party Candidate Vote % Votes      Democratic George Miller incumbent 76.1% 166,831      Republican Charles Hargrave 23.9% 52,446 Total Votes 219,277 2002 On November 5, 2002, George Miller won re-election to the United States House. He defeated Charles Hargrave (R) and Scott Wilson (L) in the general election.[37] U.S. House, California District 7 General Election, 2002 Party Candidate Vote % Votes      Democratic George Miller incumbent 70.7% 97,849      Republican Charles Hargrave 26.4% 36,584      Libertarian Scott Wilson 2.8% 3,943 Total Votes 138,376 2000 On November 7, 2000, George Miller won re-election to the United States House. He defeated Christopher Hoffman (R) and Martin Sproul (Natural Law) in the general election.[38] U.S. House, California District 7 General Election, 2000 Party Candidate Vote % Votes      Democratic George Miller incumbent 76.5% 159,692      Republican Christopher Hoffman 21.1% 44,154      Natural Law Martin Sproul 2.4% 4,943 Total Votes 208,789 1998 On November 3, 1998, George Miller won re-election to the United States House. He defeated Norman Reece (R) in the general election.[39] U.S. House, California District 7 General Election, 1998 Party Candidate Vote % Votes      Democratic George Miller incumbent 76.7% 125,842      Republican Norman Reece 23.3% 38,290 Total Votes 164,132 1996 On November 5, 1996, George Miller won re-election to the United States House. He defeated Norman Reece (R), William Thompson (Reform) and Bob Liatunick (Natural Law) in the general election.[40] U.S. House, California District 7 General Election, 1996 Party Candidate Vote % Votes      Democratic George Miller incumbent 71.8% 137,089      Republican Norman Reece 22.3% 42,542      Reform William Thompson 3.6% 6,866      Natural Law Bob Liatunick 2.3% 4,420 Total Votes 190,917 1994 On November 8, 1994, George Miller won re-election to the United States House. He defeated Charles Hughes (R) and William Callison (P&F) in the general election.[41] U.S. House, California District 7 General Election, 1994 Party Candidate Vote % Votes      Democratic George Miller incumbent 69.7% 116,105      Republican Charles Hughes 27.4% 45,698      Peace and Freedom William Callison 2.9% 4,798 Total Votes 166,601 1992 On November 3, 1992, George Miller won re-election to the United States House. He defeated Dave Scholl (R) and David Franklin (P&F) in the general election.[42] U.S. House, California District 7 General Election, 1992 Party Candidate Vote % Votes      Democratic George Miller incumbent 70.3% 153,320      Republican Dave Scholl 25.1% 54,822      Peace and Freedom David Franklin 4.5% 9,840 Total Votes 217,982 1990 On November 6, 1990, George Miller won re-election to the United States House. He defeated Roger Payton (R) in the general election.[43] U.S. House, California District 7 General Election, 1990 Party Candidate Vote % Votes      Democratic George Miller incumbent 60.5% 121,080      Republican Roger Payton 39.5% 79,031 Total Votes 200,111 1988 On November 8, 1988, George Miller won re-election to the United States House. He defeated Jean Last (R) in the general election.[44] U.S. House, California District 7 General Election, 1988 Party Candidate Vote % Votes      Democratic George Miller incumbent 68.4% 170,006      Republican Jean Last 31.6% 78,478 Total Votes 248,484 1986 On November 4, 1986, George Miller won re-election to the United States House. He defeated Rosemary Thakar (R) in the general election.[45] U.S. House, California District 7 General Election, 1986 Party Candidate Vote % Votes      Democratic George Miller incumbent 66.6% 124,174      Republican Rosemary Thakar 33.4% 62,379 Total Votes 186,553 1984 On November 6, 1984, George Miller won re-election to the United States House. He defeated Rosemary Thakar (R) in the general election.[46] U.S. House, California District 7 General Election, 1984 Party Candidate Vote % Votes      Democratic George Miller incumbent 66.7% 158,306      Republican Rosemary Thakar 33.3% 78,985 Total Votes 237,291 1982 On November 2, 1982, George Miller won re-election to the United States House. He defeated Paul Vallely (R), Rich Newell (L) and Terry Wells (American Independent) in the general election.[47] U.S. House, California District 7 General Election, 1982 Party Candidate Vote % Votes      Democratic George Miller incumbent 67.2% 126,952      Republican Paul Vallely 30.2% 56,960      Libertarian Rich Newell 1.5% 2,752      American Independent Terry Wells 1.2% 2,205 Total Votes 188,869 1980 On November 4, 1980, George Miller won re-election to the United States House. He defeated Giles St. Clair (R), Steve Snow (L) and Thomas J. Thompson (American Independent) in the general election.[48] U.S. House, California District 7 General Election, 1980 Party Candidate Vote % Votes      Democratic George Miller incumbent 63.3% 142,044      Republican Giles St. Clair 31.4% 70,479      Libertarian Steve Snow 3.1% 6,923      American Independent Thomas J. Thompson 2.2% 5,023 Total Votes 224,469 1978 On November 7, 1978, George Miller won re-election to the United States House. He defeated Paula Gordon (R) and Melvin Stanley (American Independent) in the general election.[49] U.S. House, California District 7 General Election, 1978 Party Candidate Vote % Votes      Democratic George Miller incumbent 63.4% 109,676      Republican Paula Gordon 33.7% 58,332      American Independent Melvin Stanley 2.8% 4,857 Total Votes 172,865 1976 On November 2, 1976, George Miller won re-election to the United States House. He defeated Robert Vickers (R) and Melvin Stanley (American Independent) in the general election.[50] U.S. House, California District 7 General Election, 1976 Party Candidate Vote % Votes      Democratic George Miller incumbent 74.7% 147,064      Republican Robert Vickers 23.3% 45,863      American Independent Melvin Stanley 2% 3,889 Total Votes 196,816 1974 On November 4, 1974, George Miller won election to the United States House. He defeated Gary Fernandez (R) in the general election.[51] U.S. House, California District 7 General Election, 1974 Party Candidate Vote % Votes      Democratic George Miller 55.6% 82,765      Republican Gary Fernandez 44.4% 66,115 Total Votes 148,880

Campaign donors[edit]

Comprehensive donor history[edit]

The finance data shown here comes from the disclosures required of candidates and parties. Depending on the election or state, this may not represent all the funds spent on their behalf. Satellite spending groups may or may not have expended funds related to the candidate or politician on whose page you are reading this disclaimer, and campaign finance data from elections may be incomplete. For elections to federal offices, complete data can be found at the FEC website. Click here for more on federal campaign finance law and here for more on state campaign finance law.

George Miller (California U.S. House member) campaign contribution history
Year	Office	Result	Contributions
2012	U.S. House (California, District 11)		$743,547
2010	U.S. House (California, District 7)		$972,502
2008	U.S. House (California, District 7)		$1,155,882
2006	U.S. House (California, District 7)		$667,494
2004	U.S. House (California, District 7)		$573,259
2002	U.S. House (California, District 7)		$471,747
2000	U.S. House (California, District 7)		$382,248
Grand total raised			$4,966,679
Source: [[52] Follow the Money]

2014[edit]

Candidates for Congress were required to file reports with the Federal Election Commission during the 2014 elections season. Below are Miller's reports.^[53]

2012[edit]

Miller won re-election to the U.S. House in 2012. During that election cycle, Miller's campaign committee raised a total of $743,547 and spent $891,945.^[57] This is less than the average $1.5 million spent by House winners in 2012.^[58]

Cost per vote[edit]

Miller spent $4.44 per vote received in 2012.

To view the breakdown of campaign funding by type click [show] to expand the section.
Breakdown of the source of Miller's campaign funds before the 2012 election.

2010[edit]

Miller won re-election to the U.S. House in 2010. During that election cycle, Miller's campaign committee raised a total of $972,502 and spent $1,008,838.^[59]

His top five contributors between 2009-2010 were:

To view the breakdown of campaign funding by type click [show] to expand the section.
Breakdown of the source of Miller's campaign funds before the 2010 election.

Personal Gain Index[edit]

See also: Personal Gain Index (U.S. Congress)

The Personal Gain Index (U.S. Congress) is a two-part measurement that illustrates the extent to which members of the U.S. Congress have prospered during their tenure as public servants.
It consists of two different metrics:

• Changes in Net Worth
• The Donation Concentration Metric

PGI: Change in net worth[edit]

See also: Changes in Net Worth of U.S. Senators and Representatives (Personal Gain Index) and Net worth of United States Senators and Representatives

Based on congressional financial disclosure forms and calculations made available by OpenSecrets.org, Miller's net worth as of 2012 was estimated between $257,010 and $1,045,999. That averages to $651,504, which is lower than the average net worth of Democratic representatives in 2012 of $5,700,168.36. Miller ranked as the 247th most wealthy representative in 2012.^[60] Between 2004 and 2012, Miller's calculated net worth^[61] decreased by an average of 0 percent per year. Between 2004 and 2012, the average annual percentage increase for a member of Congress was 15.4 percent.^[62]

PGI: Donation Concentration Metric[edit]

See also: The Donation Concentration Metric (U.S. Congress Personal Gain Index)

Filings required by the Federal Election Commission report on the industries that give to each candidate. Using campaign filings and information calculated by OpenSecrets.org, Ballotpedia calculated the percentage of donations by industry received by each incumbent over the course of his or her career (or 1989 and later, if elected prior to 1988). In the 113th Congress, Miller is the ranking Democratic member of the United States House of Representatives Committee on Education and the Workforce. Miller received the most donations from individuals and PACs employed by the Building Trade Unions industry.

From 1989-2014, 34.21 percent of Miller's career contributions came from the top five industries as listed below.^[65]

Analysis[edit]

Ideology and leadership[edit]

See also: GovTrack's Political Spectrum & Legislative Leadership ranking

Based on an analysis of bill sponsorship by GovTrack, Miller was a far-left Democratic leader as of July 2014. This was the same rating Miller received in June 2013.^[66]

Like-minded colleagues[edit]

The website OpenCongress tracks the voting records of each member to determine with whom he or she votes most and least often. The results include a member from each party.^[67]

Lifetime voting record[edit]

See also: Lifetime voting records of United States Senators and Representatives

According to the website GovTrack, Miller missed 1,792 of 23,888 roll call votes from January 1975 to July 2014. This amounts to 7.5 percent, which is worse than the median of 2.5 percent among current congressional representatives as of July 2014.^[68]

Congressional staff salaries[edit]

See also: Staff salaries of United States Senators and Representatives

The website Legistorm compiles staff salary information for members of Congress. Miller paid his congressional staff a total of $1,102,577 in 2011. He ranked 52nd on the list of the highest paid Democratic representative staff salaries and ranked 65th overall of the highest paid representative staff salaries in 2011. Overall, California ranked 5th in average salary for representative staff. The average U.S. House of Representatives congressional staff was paid $954,912.20 in fiscal year 2011.^[69]

National Journal vote ratings[edit]

See also: National Journal vote ratings

Each year National Journal publishes an analysis of how liberally or conservatively each member of Congress voted in the previous year. Click the link above for the full ratings of all members of Congress.

2013[edit]

Miller ranked 63rd in the liberal rankings in 2013.^[70]

2011[edit]

See also: National Journal vote ratings

Miller ranked 30th in the liberal rankings in 2011.^[71]

Voting with party[edit]

The website OpenCongress tracks how often members of Congress vote with the majority of the chamber caucus.

2014[edit]

Miller voted with the Democratic Party 91.9 percent of the time, which ranked 131st among the 204 House Democratic members as of July 2014.^[72]

2013[edit]

Miller voted with the Democratic Party 95.7 percent of the time, which ranked 84th among the 201 House Democratic members as of June 2013.^[73]

Personal[edit]

Note: Please contact us if the personal information below requires an update.

Miller and his wife, Cynthia, have two children.

Recent news[edit]

This section links to a Google news search for the term George + Miller + California + House

See also[edit]

• United States House of Representatives
• United States congressional delegations from California
• California's 11th Congressional District elections, 2014
• California's 11th Congressional District

External links[edit]

Footnotes[edit]

	v • e State of California Sacramento (capital)
Elections	What's on my ballot? | Elections in 2021 | How to vote | How to run for office | Ballot measures
Government	Who represents me? | U.S. President | U.S. Congress | Federal courts | State executives | State legislature | State and local courts | Counties | Cities | School districts | Public policy