Brad Miller (congressman)
Encyclopedia
Ralph Bradley "Brad" Miller (born May 19, 1953) is the U.S. Representative
for , serving since 2003. District 13 includes all of Caswell
and Person
counties, and parts of Alamance
, Granville
, Guilford
, Rockingham
and Wake
counties. He is a member of the Democratic Party
.
to Margaret Hale Miller and Nathan David Miller. He attended Terry Sanford Senior High School in Fayetteville.
Miller earned a BA degree
from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
in 1975, a Master's degree
from the London School of Economics
in 1978, and a Juris Doctor
from Columbia Law School
in 1979. After graduation he served as clerk to Judge J. Dickson Phillips, Jr. of the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit
.
Miller practiced Law in Raleigh
before entering politics. He was a member of the North Carolina House of Representatives
from 1992 until 1994 and a member of the North Carolina Senate
from 1996 to 2002.
In January 2007 Miller was named to the House Foreign Affairs Committee. Soon thereafter he was appointed chairman of the new Science and Technology Subcommittee on Investigations and Oversight
.
caucus
, which educates members of Congress on the importance of community colleges. For his efforts, he was recognized with the Congressional Award from the Council for Resource Development.
In Congress, Miller serves on the House Financial Services Committee, where he has worked to protect consumers from abusive lending, especially predatory mortgage lending. In 2007 and 2009 the House passed comprehensive federal mortgage lending reform legislation authored by Miller, but neither bill was subsequently considered in the Senate.
with Rep. Bill Delahunt (D-MA) to establish a Financial Product Safety Commission. The bill, modeled on a concept proposed by Harvard Law School Professor Elizabeth Warren
, was subsequently included in the financial regulatory reform package announced by Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner on July 24, 2009.
(AIG) Chairman Edward Liddy during testimony pertaining to the insurance company's controversial financial policies following its receipt of federal assistance. Miller cited AIG's allocation of $49.5 billion of taxpayer resources toward bank credit insurance policies, criticizing the company for acting to compromise "market discipline."
, the 1996 law that forbids federal agencies from recognizing the legal marriages of gay and lesbian couples. Describing the legislation, Miller said "North Carolina would still not be required to perform civil marriage, but it would be required to recognize marriages performed in other states.” The announcement comes on the heels of the North Carolina Legislature announcing that it would included a proposed constitutional amendment on the next ballot banning gay marriage.
(NBAF) located close to his district in Butner, North Carolina
, but changed his mind after his constituents objected to the project.
in the United States House of Representatives
. Following the 2000 Census
, Miller had a hand in redrawing the district map which established NC 13. During the 2002 election, Miller advanced from a crowded Democratic primary, which included former Congressman Robin Britt
, to defeat Republican Carolyn Grant and a Libertarian candidate with roughly 55% of the vote. Grant later sued Miller alleging, among other things, that he and his campaign defamed her in an October 2002 television advertisement. She later dropped the suit after she failed to comply with several court orders.
Miller was elected to his second term in the 2004 Congressional elections, earning 59% of the vote and defeating Republican Virginia Johnson.
Miller's opponent in the 2006 race was Vernon Robinson
, a conservative African American
politician who is a former city council member and current resident of Winston-Salem, North Carolina
(outside the thirteenth congressional district). Robinson was able to garner national attention due to his bombastic and exaggerative rhetoric. Robinson made several accusations against Miller, including that he was cutting money from troops to study the sex lives of prostitutes, that Miller was gay, despite having a wife, and that he was allowing illegal immigrants
to sneak into America. Miller defeated Robinson 63.71% to 36.29%.
In 2007 Miller considered a run for the U.S. Senate against incumbent Elizabeth Dole
but decided against it. Later, he ruled out running against Sen. Richard Burr
in 2010
.
After the 2010 United States Census, Republicans who controlled the state's General Assembly
redrew the districts. In the process, they placed Miller into a district stretching from northern Raleigh all the way to Surry County
on the other side of the state. While Barack Obama
carried the old 13th fairly handily with 59 percent of the vote, John McCain
would have won the reconfigured 13th with 56 percent of the vote.
However, after 1st District Congressman G. K. Butterfield
raised objections that the new map violated the rights of African-American voters in the eastern part of the state, the state legislature was forced to redraw the map again. The new plan made the 13th more compact, taking in territory from Raleigh to Rocky Mount
. However, it is still significantly more Republican than its predecessor; McCain would have won it with 54 percent. The new map also placed Miller's apartment complex 50 yards inside the 4th district
, represented by fellow Democrat David Price, but left the rest of Miller's precinct in the 13th. While Miller initially said he wouldn't challenge Price in a primary, he has increasingly hinted that he will run in the 4th.
United States House of Representatives
The United States House of Representatives is one of the two Houses of the United States Congress, the bicameral legislature which also includes the Senate.The composition and powers of the House are established in Article One of the Constitution...
for , serving since 2003. District 13 includes all of Caswell
Caswell County, North Carolina
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 23,501 people, 8,670 households, and 6,398 families residing in the county. The population density was 55 people per square mile . There were 9,601 housing units at an average density of 23 per square mile...
and Person
Person County, North Carolina
Person County is a county located in the Piedmont region in north-central North Carolina in the United States. It is part of the Durham-Chapel Hill Metropolitan Area. The population was 39,464 at the 2010 census.The county seat is Roxboro...
counties, and parts of Alamance
Alamance County, North Carolina
Alamance County is a county located in the U.S. state of North Carolina. It coincides with the Burlington, North Carolina, Metropolitan Statistical Area...
, Granville
Granville County, North Carolina
-Demographics:As of the census of 2010, there were 59,916 people in 20,628 households residing in the county. The population density was 111.6 people per square mile . There were 22,827 housing units at an average density of 42.5 per square mile...
, Guilford
Guilford County, North Carolina
Guilford County is a county located in the U.S. state of North Carolina. In 2010, the Census Bureau estimated the county's population to be 491,230. Its seat is Greensboro. Since 1938, an additional county court has been located in High Point, North Carolina, making Guilford one of only a handful...
, Rockingham
Rockingham County, North Carolina
Rockingham County is a county located in the U.S. state of North Carolina. As of 2010, the population was 93,643. Its county seat is Wentworth.- History :The county was formed in 1785 from Guilford County...
and Wake
Wake County, North Carolina
Wake County is a county located in the U.S. state of North Carolina. As of the 2010 census, the population was 900,993 making it North Carolina's second most populated county...
counties. He is a member of the Democratic Party
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
.
Early life, education and career
Miller was born in Fayetteville, North CarolinaFayetteville, North Carolina
Fayetteville is a city located in Cumberland County, North Carolina, United States. It is the county seat of Cumberland County, and is best known as the home of Fort Bragg, a U.S. Army post located northwest of the city....
to Margaret Hale Miller and Nathan David Miller. He attended Terry Sanford Senior High School in Fayetteville.
Miller earned a BA degree
Bachelor of Arts
A Bachelor of Arts , from the Latin artium baccalaureus, is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate course or program in either the liberal arts, the sciences, or both...
from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is a public research university located in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States...
in 1975, a Master's degree
Master's degree
A master's is an academic degree granted to individuals who have undergone study demonstrating a mastery or high-order overview of a specific field of study or area of professional practice...
from the London School of Economics
London School of Economics
The London School of Economics and Political Science is a public research university specialised in the social sciences located in London, United Kingdom, and a constituent college of the federal University of London...
in 1978, and a Juris Doctor
Juris Doctor
Juris Doctor is a professional doctorate and first professional graduate degree in law.The degree was first awarded by Harvard University in the United States in the late 19th century and was created as a modern version of the old European doctor of law degree Juris Doctor (see etymology and...
from Columbia Law School
Columbia Law School
Columbia Law School, founded in 1858, is one of the oldest and most prestigious law schools in the United States. A member of the Ivy League, Columbia Law School is one of the professional graduate schools of Columbia University in New York City. It offers the J.D., LL.M., and J.S.D. degrees in...
in 1979. After graduation he served as clerk to Judge J. Dickson Phillips, Jr. of the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit
United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit
The United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit is a federal court located in Richmond, Virginia, with appellate jurisdiction over the district courts in the following districts:*District of Maryland*Eastern District of North Carolina...
.
Miller practiced Law in Raleigh
Raleigh, North Carolina
Raleigh is the capital and the second largest city in the state of North Carolina as well as the seat of Wake County. Raleigh is known as the "City of Oaks" for its many oak trees. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the city's 2010 population was 403,892, over an area of , making Raleigh...
before entering politics. He was a member of the North Carolina House of Representatives
North Carolina House of Representatives
The North Carolina House of Representatives is one of the two houses of the North Carolina General Assembly. The House is a 120-member body led by a Speaker of the House, who holds powers similar to those of the President pro-tem in the state senate....
from 1992 until 1994 and a member of the North Carolina Senate
North Carolina Senate
The North Carolina Senate is one of the two houses of the North Carolina General Assembly.Its prerogatives and powers are similar to those of the other house, the House of Representatives. Its members do, however, represent districts that are larger than those of their colleagues in the House. The...
from 1996 to 2002.
Committee assignments
- Committee on Financial ServicesUnited States House Committee on Financial ServicesThe United States House Committee on Financial Services is the committee of the United States House of Representatives that oversees the entire financial services industry, including the securities, insurance, banking, and housing industries...
- Subcommittee on Capital Markets, Insurance, and Government-Sponsored Enterprises
- Subcommittee on Financial Institutions and Consumer CreditUnited States House Financial Services Subcommittee on Financial Institutions and Consumer CreditThe U.S. House Financial Services Subcommittee on Financial Institutions and Consumer Credit is a subcommittee of the House Committee on Financial Services.-Jurisdiction:...
- Subcommittee on Oversight and InvestigationsUnited States House Financial Services Subcommittee on Oversight and InvestigationsThe U.S. House Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations is a subcommittee of the House Committee on Financial Services.-Jurisdiction:The Subcommittee conducts oversight of the agencies, departments, and programs under the Committee’s jurisdiction...
- Committee on Science, Space and Technology
- Subcommittee on Energy and Environment (Ranking Member)
- Subcommittee on Investigations and OversightUnited States House Science Subcommittee on Investigations and OversightThe Science Subcommittee on Investigations and Oversight is one of five subcommittees of the United States House Committee on Science and Technology...
In January 2007 Miller was named to the House Foreign Affairs Committee. Soon thereafter he was appointed chairman of the new Science and Technology Subcommittee on Investigations and Oversight
United States House Science Subcommittee on Investigations and Oversight
The Science Subcommittee on Investigations and Oversight is one of five subcommittees of the United States House Committee on Science and Technology...
.
Caucus memberships
- African Great Lakes Caucus (Co-Chair)
- Congressional Bike Caucus
- Congressional Caucus on Youth Sports
- Congressional Community College Caucus (Co-Chair)
- International Conservation CaucusUnited States Congressional International Conservation CaucusThe U.S. Congressional International Conservation Caucus is a bipartisan congressional organization that was founded in September 2003 with the conviction that “the United States of America has the opportunity, the obligation and the interests to advance the conservation of natural resources for...
- Congressional Arts Caucus
Education
Miller co-founded and co-chairs the bipartisan congressional Community CollegeCommunity college
A community college is a type of educational institution. The term can have different meanings in different countries.-Australia:Community colleges carry on the tradition of adult education, which was established in Australia around mid 19th century when evening classes were held to help adults...
caucus
Congressional caucus
A congressional caucus is a group of members of the United States Congress that meets to pursue common legislative objectives. Formally, caucuses are formed as congressional member organizations through the United States House of Representatives and governed under the rules of that chamber...
, which educates members of Congress on the importance of community colleges. For his efforts, he was recognized with the Congressional Award from the Council for Resource Development.
Financial reform
The Mortgage Reform and Anti-Predatory Lending Act of 2009In Congress, Miller serves on the House Financial Services Committee, where he has worked to protect consumers from abusive lending, especially predatory mortgage lending. In 2007 and 2009 the House passed comprehensive federal mortgage lending reform legislation authored by Miller, but neither bill was subsequently considered in the Senate.
Financial Product Safety Commission Act of 2009
In 2009 Miller introduced legislationLegislation
Legislation is law which has been promulgated by a legislature or other governing body, or the process of making it...
with Rep. Bill Delahunt (D-MA) to establish a Financial Product Safety Commission. The bill, modeled on a concept proposed by Harvard Law School Professor Elizabeth Warren
Elizabeth Warren
Elizabeth Warren is an American bankruptcy expert, policy advocate, Harvard Law School professor, and Democratic Party candidate in the 2012 United States Senate election in Massachusetts. She has written several academic and popular books concerning the American economy and personal finance. She...
, was subsequently included in the financial regulatory reform package announced by Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner on July 24, 2009.
The Emergency Homeownership and Mortgage Equity Protection Act of 2007
On September 20, 2007 Miller introduced H.R. 3609, becoming the first member of Congress to propose that bankruptcy courts be allowed to modify the mortgage debt of persons in foreclosure or against whom foreclosure proceedings had been commenced.AIG Hearing
On March 18, 2009 Miller, a member of the Financial Services Committee, excoriated American International GroupAmerican International Group
American International Group, Inc. or AIG is an American multinational insurance corporation. Its corporate headquarters is located in the American International Building in New York City. The British headquarters office is on Fenchurch Street in London, continental Europe operations are based in...
(AIG) Chairman Edward Liddy during testimony pertaining to the insurance company's controversial financial policies following its receipt of federal assistance. Miller cited AIG's allocation of $49.5 billion of taxpayer resources toward bank credit insurance policies, criticizing the company for acting to compromise "market discipline."
Repeal of Defense of Marriage Act
In September 2011, Miller announced that he will co-sponsor a bill that would repeal the Defense of Marriage ActDefense of Marriage Act
The Defense of Marriage Act is a United States federal law whereby the federal government defines marriage as a legal union between one man and one woman. Under the law, no U.S. state may be required to recognize as a marriage a same-sex relationship considered a marriage in another state...
, the 1996 law that forbids federal agencies from recognizing the legal marriages of gay and lesbian couples. Describing the legislation, Miller said "North Carolina would still not be required to perform civil marriage, but it would be required to recognize marriages performed in other states.” The announcement comes on the heels of the North Carolina Legislature announcing that it would included a proposed constitutional amendment on the next ballot banning gay marriage.
Environment
Miller was originally in favor of having the National Bio and Agro-Defense FacilityNational Bio and Agro-Defense Facility
The National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility is a planned United States government-run research facility that will replace the 1950s-era Plum Island Animal Disease Center in New York, which is "nearing the end of its lifecycle and is too small to meet the nation’s research needs." The NBAF will be...
(NBAF) located close to his district in Butner, North Carolina
Butner, North Carolina
Butner is a town in Granville County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 7,591 at the 2010 census]. Butner was managed by the state of North Carolina from 1947 through 2007. A bill passed by the North Carolina General Assembly incorporating the town was signed by Gov. Mike Easley on...
, but changed his mind after his constituents objected to the project.
Political campaigns
In 2002, Miller was elected to represent North Carolina's 13th congressional districtNorth Carolina's 13th congressional district
The Thirteenth congressional district of North Carolina was re-established in 2002 after the state gained population in the 2000 United States Census. Previously, the state had 13 districts from the first election following the 1810 United States Census until the reapportionment following the 1840...
in the United States House of Representatives
United States House of Representatives
The United States House of Representatives is one of the two Houses of the United States Congress, the bicameral legislature which also includes the Senate.The composition and powers of the House are established in Article One of the Constitution...
. Following the 2000 Census
United States Census, 2000
The Twenty-second United States Census, known as Census 2000 and conducted by the Census Bureau, determined the resident population of the United States on April 1, 2000, to be 281,421,906, an increase of 13.2% over the 248,709,873 persons enumerated during the 1990 Census...
, Miller had a hand in redrawing the district map which established NC 13. During the 2002 election, Miller advanced from a crowded Democratic primary, which included former Congressman Robin Britt
Charles Robin Britt
Charles Robin Britt is a former Member of the United States House of Representatives from North Carolina's 6th congressional district. A Democrat, he served one term from 1983 to 1985...
, to defeat Republican Carolyn Grant and a Libertarian candidate with roughly 55% of the vote. Grant later sued Miller alleging, among other things, that he and his campaign defamed her in an October 2002 television advertisement. She later dropped the suit after she failed to comply with several court orders.
Miller was elected to his second term in the 2004 Congressional elections, earning 59% of the vote and defeating Republican Virginia Johnson.
Miller's opponent in the 2006 race was Vernon Robinson
Vernon Robinson
Vernon Lucius Robinson is an American candidate for U.S. Congress and former Winston Salem City Council member. He is known for two unsuccessful Congressional campaigns...
, a conservative African American
African American
African Americans are citizens or residents of the United States who have at least partial ancestry from any of the native populations of Sub-Saharan Africa and are the direct descendants of enslaved Africans within the boundaries of the present United States...
politician who is a former city council member and current resident of Winston-Salem, North Carolina
Winston-Salem, North Carolina
Winston-Salem is a city in the U.S. state of North Carolina, with a 2010 population of 229,617. Winston-Salem is the county seat and largest city of Forsyth County and the fourth-largest city in the state. Winston-Salem is the second largest municipality in the Piedmont Triad region and is home to...
(outside the thirteenth congressional district). Robinson was able to garner national attention due to his bombastic and exaggerative rhetoric. Robinson made several accusations against Miller, including that he was cutting money from troops to study the sex lives of prostitutes, that Miller was gay, despite having a wife, and that he was allowing illegal immigrants
Illegal immigration to the United States
An illegal immigrant in the United States is an alien who has entered the United States without government permission or stayed beyond the termination date of a visa....
to sneak into America. Miller defeated Robinson 63.71% to 36.29%.
In 2007 Miller considered a run for the U.S. Senate against incumbent Elizabeth Dole
Elizabeth Dole
Mary Elizabeth Alexander Hanford "Liddy" Dole is an American politician who served in both the Ronald Reagan and George H. W. Bush presidential administrations, as well as a United States Senator....
but decided against it. Later, he ruled out running against Sen. Richard Burr
Richard Burr
Richard Mauze Burr is the senior United States Senator from North Carolina and a member of the Republican Party. Previously, Burr represented North Carolina's 5th congressional district in the United States House of Representatives....
in 2010
United States Senate election in North Carolina, 2010
The 2010 United States Senate election in North Carolina was held on November 2, 2010. The filing deadline for the primaries was February 26; the primaries were held on May 4, with a Democratic primary runoff held on June 22. Incumbent Republican U.S. Senator Richard Burr won re-election to a...
.
After the 2010 United States Census, Republicans who controlled the state's General Assembly
North Carolina General Assembly
The North Carolina General Assembly is the state legislature of the U.S. state of North Carolina. The General Assembly drafts and legislates the state laws of North Carolina, also known as the General Statutes...
redrew the districts. In the process, they placed Miller into a district stretching from northern Raleigh all the way to Surry County
Surry County, North Carolina
Surry County is a county located in the U.S. state of North Carolina. As of 2010, the population was 73,673. Its county seat is Dobson.- History :The county was formed in 1771 from Rowan County...
on the other side of the state. While Barack Obama
Barack Obama
Barack Hussein Obama II is the 44th and current President of the United States. He is the first African American to hold the office. Obama previously served as a United States Senator from Illinois, from January 2005 until he resigned following his victory in the 2008 presidential election.Born in...
carried the old 13th fairly handily with 59 percent of the vote, John McCain
John McCain
John Sidney McCain III is the senior United States Senator from Arizona. He was the Republican nominee for president in the 2008 United States election....
would have won the reconfigured 13th with 56 percent of the vote.
However, after 1st District Congressman G. K. Butterfield
G. K. Butterfield
George Kenneth Butterfield, Jr. is the U.S. Representative for , serving since 2004. He is a member of the Democratic Party. The district is located in the northeastern corner of the state.-Early life and education:...
raised objections that the new map violated the rights of African-American voters in the eastern part of the state, the state legislature was forced to redraw the map again. The new plan made the 13th more compact, taking in territory from Raleigh to Rocky Mount
Rocky Mount, North Carolina
Rocky Mount is an All-America City Award-winning city in Edgecombe and Nash counties in the coastal plains of the state of North Carolina. Although it was not formally incorporated until February 28, 1867, the North Carolina community that became the city of Rocky Mount dates from the beginning of...
. However, it is still significantly more Republican than its predecessor; McCain would have won it with 54 percent. The new map also placed Miller's apartment complex 50 yards inside the 4th district
North Carolina's 4th congressional district
The Fourth Congressional district of North Carolina is located in the central region of the state and contains most of the area commonly known as The Triangle. It includes all of Durham and Orange counties, part of Wake County and a small section of Chatham County...
, represented by fellow Democrat David Price, but left the rest of Miller's precinct in the 13th. While Miller initially said he wouldn't challenge Price in a primary, he has increasingly hinted that he will run in the 4th.
Quotes
- "Eighty percent is not the bottom end. That’s the vast majority of workers not sharing in economic prosperity from production increases." (2006, to Federal Reserve Chairman Ben BernankeBen BernankeBen Shalom Bernanke is an American economist, and the current Chairman of the Federal Reserve, the central bank of the United States. During his tenure as Chairman, Bernanke has overseen the response of the Federal Reserve to late-2000s financial crisis....
)
- "With tax cuts going to the people who receive inherited wealth, can you identify a single policy of this Congress or the Bush Administration that appears directed at closing income inequality or the concentration of wealth?" (2006, also to Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke)
- "For four years, patriotic Americans, Democrats and Republicans alike, have anguished over events in Iraq, and given deep and prayerful thought to alternatives. But the Bush Administration dismissed and insulted dissenters, and often made fierce attempts to discredit them. Not even General Eric ShinsekiEric ShinsekiEric Ken Shinseki is a retired United States Army four-star general who is currently serving as the 7th United States Secretary of Veterans Affairs. His final U.S. Army post was as the 34th Chief of Staff of the Army...
, the Chief of Staff of the Army, or James BakerJames BakerJames Addison Baker, III is an American attorney, politician and political advisor.Baker served as the Chief of Staff in President Ronald Reagan's first administration and in the final year of the administration of President George H. W. Bush...
, Secretary of State for the first President Bush, were spared. And the Bush Administration has treated criticisms of Members of Congress as meddling, as sticking our nose in their war. House Democrats have offered plan after plan to alter our course in Iraq, and House Republicans greeted every plan with strident attack." (February 16, 2007)
External links
- Representative Brad Miller official U.S. House site
- Brad Miller for Congress official campaign site
- Brad Miller at Congress.orgCongress.orgCongress.org is a website run by the CQ-Roll Call Group which provides information on Congress and news about federal advocacy and activism. One tool on the site helps users find their elected officials and send e-mail to them.-Overview:...
- Daily Kos: Democrats Form New Science Subcommittee
- News & Observer "Under the Dome" Profile
- Draft Brad Miller for Senate