Miller Becomes Focus of Debate Among Adversaries in Congress

WASHINGTON —  When Rep. George Miller (D-Martinez) failed this week in a last-ditch effort to reshape federal water policy in California before Congress recesses, he gave one of his many adversaries an opportunity to settle a personal score and stirred old resentments among others.

Rep. Carroll Hubbard Jr. (D-Ky.) stood up on the House floor Tuesday night and prevented Miller, the chairman of the Interior Committee, from getting the unanimous consent he needed to proceed with a companion measure--emergency drought relief legislation.

The unusual maneuver by Hubbard, who has been seething since Miller loudly cursed him last summer in front of local Kentucky officials, marked the first time in his 17 years as a lawmaker that he had stymied such a routine request.

“The old adage of what goes around comes around happened (Tuesday night). . . ,” Hubbard said in an interview. “Believe me, I am not the only one in the House who dislikes Congressman Miller and that includes a large number of California members. Many Democrats and Republicans will tell you they try to stay clear of him because he is so obnoxious.”

Miller said he had anticipated that his motives would be widely assailed after he attempted to overturn the federal government’s practice of automatically renewing 40-year contracts with irrigators who use the massive Central Valley project. While making it clear in an interview that he could care less what others think of him, Miller dismissed Hubbard’s act of revenge as meaningless.

“This is not real,” Miller said. “I’ve had Salvadoran death squads and assassins sent to the United States because they were mad (over his opposition to U.S. aid to Central America). That is real.” (In 1983, State Department officials warned Miller that they could not guarantee his safety if he traveled to Central America.)

After attaching the irrigation contract issue to the drought bill, Miller needed a special measure to get the drought measure reconsidered separately. That is when Hubbard objected on grounds that Miller was trying to get the same legislation approved on consecutive days.

On Wednesday, Miller was able to bypass Hubbard’s objection to the appointment of a conference committee to consider drought relief by getting a special resolution approved in his committee and then in the House. As a result, House and Senate negotiators are expected to take up the drought bill soon. The measure would arm federal authorities with new power to move water in California during a crisis.

Throughout the week’s water battle in Washington, Miller had succeeded in casting the spotlight on himself. Once again, the fiery, nine-term congressman had become the focus of intense attacks for his history of abrasiveness and inability to get along with colleagues in Congress.

Several lawmakers accused Miller on Monday of engaging in “blackmail” and “abusing the legislative process” by linking water contract reform to sorely needed drought legislation.

Rep. Paul B. Henry (R-Mich.) recalled on Wednesday how he was “steamed” last month at Miller during a subcommittee debate on higher education.

“He was not speaking of public policy,” Henry said. “He was attacking me personally. Afterward, a number of (Democrats) came up to apologize over their embarrassment about what he said.”

Similarly, Hubbard said he was stunned when Miller humiliated him in front of the mayor of Paducah, Ky., and another city official who were trying to see the Interior chairman last summer. Three witnesses told the Washington Post that Miller grabbed Hubbard by the arm outside the House floor and called him a “sonofabitch.” Then, apparently unaware that the mayor was standing next to Hubbard, Miller added: “I don’t give a (expletive) about your (expletive) mayor of Paducah.”

Hubbard said Miller has never apologized for his outburst. “Naturally, he never would.”

Miller, without elaborating, has said that the quotes attributed to him were inaccurate. In any case, the 46-year-old congressman has never been one to lose sleep over his remarks.

“People sent me to Congress to kick ass and take names and I’m not gonna roll over,” he told the San Francisco Examiner recently.

As abrasive as he can be, Miller also has his share of admirers in Congress.

“I have long said that, if we could clone George Miller, the country would be better off,” said Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-San Francisco). “He is so bright, so informed and has great legislative skills.”

During Monday’s vote on water reform, Miller was assailed by several members of his own California delegation, including Rep. Richard H. Lehman (D-Sanger), who represents agriculture interests.

“I disagree with George,” Lehman said. “I didn’t like the tactic he used here. (But) I would much rather have him on my side than against me.”

Rep. Ben Nighthorse Campbell (D-Colo.), who sits on the Interior Committee and does not share Miller’s philosophy on water issues, nevertheless ranks the chairman in the top 10 of influential House members.

“He’s tough. He is abrupt. . . ,” Campbell said. “I’ve tried to work with him. Sometimes, I find it difficult. He’s become so powerful that a lot of times he can do what he wants.”