WASHINGTON Rep. Gary Miller, vice chairman of the House Financial Services Committee, announced Wednesday that he will not seek reelection later this year.
The California Republican, who has served in the House since 1999, said he is retiring due to "family circumstances." Miller and his wife have taken care of their grandchildren for several years, since Miller's former daughter-in-law, the kids' mother, was arrested for allegedly abducting them and fleeing to Mexico.
"When I came to Congress in 1999 my children were grown and out of the house. Today, we have a full house again. My wife and I are raising our three grandchildren," Miller said in a statement. "It has been a great honor to spend so many years in public service, striving to make a difference for Southern California families. While there is still a lot of work to be done, it is now time for me to pass the baton."
Miller, who has been active on housing and regulatory relief issues, urged his colleagues to work together on compromise solutions. He is one of two Republicans on the banking panel who voted against Chairman Jeb Hensarling's conservative bill to wind down Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac last year during a committee markup.
"Going forward, we must all remain focused on real solutions to create jobs, grow the local economy, and stabilize the housing market," he said. "Rather than waste our time on proposals that divide us, we need to focus on feasible, bipartisan solutions to provide opportunities for hardworking Americans."
