WASHINGTON -- Congressman George Miller (D-Martinez) today joined other House Democratic leaders calling on Speaker Hastert to launch a Congressional investigation into the allegations of political interference in the response of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and other government agencies to the terrorist attacks of 9/11.

The demand for a Congressional investigation follows a report issued last month by the EPA's Inspector General that documented serious problems in the way the EPA and the White House responded to the health crisis created by the terrorist attack. The report cited that the EPA did not have sufficient data to justify the assurances it made about the safety of the air around Ground Zero and that the White House instructed EPA officials to downplay air quality concerns because of "competing considerations."

Miller, in his role as senior Democrat on the Committee on Education and the Workforce, said it was shocking to learn that both the EPA and OSHA failed to provide critical safety information to residents and rescue workers after 9/11.

“Through many years of service on the Education and Workforce Committee, I know the severe health hazards of asbestos and other workplace hazards,” said Miller. “As we all know, asbestos is a killer.”

Miller also raised concern over first responders who traveled from across the country to aid in New York’s clean up - specifically, men and women from California Task Force Three of The National Urban Search and Rescue System in Menlo Park, CA - who purchased more effective breathing and locator equipment than EPA and OSHA suggested, but who still became ill. Federal officials are refusing to reimburse the Menlo Park rescue team members for the cost of their respirators. Many First Responders have also struggled with the Department of Labor on worker’s compensation issues, medical care, and lost wages.

“Congress must get to the bottom of what responders were told and what the real concerns were on the ground at that time,” said Miller. “And the Bush Administration should not nickel and dime people who risked their lives to respond to the attacks of 9/11. That is an inconceivable and costly insult to those men and women.”

In addition to the letter sent to Speaker Hastert today by lawmakers, Miller earlier urged the chairman of the Education and the Workforce Committee to hold hearings. To view that letter, click here: http://edworkforce.house.gov/democrats/releases/rel9503.html.