Congresswoman Candice Miller’s career in public service reflects a long history of efficiency and effectiveness – from her early roots on the Harrison Township Board of Trustees, nearly 28 years ago, to her current responsibilities representing Michigan’s 10th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Committees
Congresswoman Miller is currently serving her third term after first being elected to office in November 2002. She proudly sits on two committees: the House Committee on Homeland Security and House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.

Homeland Security
Congresswoman Miller was appointed to the House Homeland Security Committee in March 2008 and is the only member from Michigan to serve on this important committee. This committee assignment is helpful for a district that faces many homeland security challenges.

The 10th District is a border district. It is home to the Blue Water Bridge which is the second busiest commercial border crossing on the northern tier, Selfridge Air National Guard Base which has expanding missions in the area of homeland security, Coast Guard stations at Selfridge, Port Huron and Harbor Beach, it borders Chemical Valley which is one of the largest collections of petro-chemical operations in North America, the CN Rail Tunnel which is the busiest rail artery in the U.S., and is where the genesis of important trade arteries interstates I-94 and I-69.

Miller has focused her efforts on building a stronger presence of homeland security assets at Selfridge, enhancing the security of our airways, roadways, railways and waterways in addition to securing our food and water supplies by enhancing Northern Border security.

The Committee on Homeland Security was established in 2002 to provide Congressional oversight for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and better protect the American people against a possible terrorist attack. Many of the programs at Selfridge and the armed service reserves throughout the 10th Congressional District fall under the purview of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. The Committee on Homeland Security provides oversight for the department and handles issues dealing with transportation security, border and port security, critical infrastructure protection, cyber security and science and technology, emergency preparedness, emerging threats, intelligence and information sharing, investigations, and management and procurement.

Transportation and Infrastructure
In 2007, Congresswoman Miller was appointed to the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. This marked her first appointment to this committee.

As its name implies, the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee oversees all issues related to transportation. This appointment was particularly important because Congresswoman Miller has long held that Michigan has never gotten its fair share of tax dollars returned for its many infrastructure needs, particularly in Southeast Michigan. She believes the explosive growth areas of northern Macomb County have been particularly shortchanged.
Furthermore, the Blue Water Bridge in Port Huron, MI is the second most traveled border crossing in North America. It is a vital component of economic expansion, not just for the district, but for the region, state and nation. This Committee allows her to offer enhanced oversight and influence to ensure this portal and others like it receive the federal attention they need and deserve.

The Transportation and Infrastructure Committee also holds jurisdiction over water quality issues. Throughout her career in public service, protecting the Great Lakes has been one of Congresswoman Miller’s principal advocacies. She is a vocal proponent for policy designed to preserve and protect Michigan’s most cherished natural resource.

Congresswoman Miller serves on both the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit and the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment.

Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming
Congresswoman Miller was also selected as a member of the House Select Committee on Climate Change in the 110th Congress. The Committee’s responsibility is to investigate study, make findings and develop recommendations on policies, strategies, technologies and other innovations. This work is intended to reduce the dependence of the United States on foreign sources of energy and achieve substantial and permanent reductions in emissions and other activities that contribute to climate change and global warming.

Michigan Secretary of State
Prior to her election to Congress, Congresswoman Miller served two terms as Michigan’s Secretary of State from 1994 until 2002. “Customer service” stood as the operative phrase of her administration. During her first term, she visited every branch office in the state to get a firsthand look at the operations on the front lines. Those visits became the impetus for wholesale changes to modernize and redesign branch offices and streamline transactions for millions of Michigan drivers.

As Secretary of State, Congresswoman Miller became a national leader in election reform, using technology to enhance Michigan’s qualified voter file. She was recognized by the Ford-Carter Commission on National Election Reform as a national model for states developing similar programs.

Background
Congresswoman Miller’s career in public service began when she was elected to the Harrison Township Board of Trustees in 1979. Only one year later, she was elected Harrison Township Supervisor, becoming the youngest Supervisor in her township’s history and the first woman elected to the post. During her 12 years as Supervisor, Harrison Township underwent explosive growth. Congresswoman Miller made tremendous strides in her effort to hold the line on taxes and encourage business growth; all while being hailed for doing so in an environmentally sensible manner.

Congresswoman Miller is a lifelong resident of Macomb County. Before being elected to her first position in public office, she worked for her family’s marina business on the Clinton River.

She and her husband, Macomb County Circuit Court Judge Donald Miller, continue to reside in Harrison Township. Judge Miller formerly served as Colonel in the Air National Guard. He flew missions in Vietnam and was the base commander at Selfridge Air National Guard Base. They have one daughter.