Get to know U.S. Representative Max Miller (R-OH)
After a stint in the United States Marine Corps, Max Miller embarked on a career in politics, serving as an aide to Senator Marco Rubio during his presidential campaign in 2016 and later as a staffer for President Donald Trump. Elected to the United States House of Representatives in 2023 to represent Ohio’s Seventh Congressional District, Rep. Miller is at the beginning of what he hopes will be a lengthy and productive career serving the American people in higher office. We caught up with him to discuss his legislative priorities, the role hotels play in the economy of his home district, and his vision for the future of the American workforce.
WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES FOR THIS SESSION?
Although there are many important issues Congress needs to tackle, some of my top priorities include passing a farm bill, expanding workforce development, and curbing inflation. I’m honored to sit on the House Committee on Agriculture, especially during a farm bill year. The farm bill is absolutely crucial to my constituents since Ohio’s Seventh Congressional District is home to more farms than any other district in Ohio. One in every seven jobs is agriculture-related, so passing a farm bill is critical for those I represent. I’ve also made it my mission to expand workforce development and career and technical education opportunities that create prosperity for individuals and build a stronger future for America. To that end, I’ve introduced the American Workforce Act, which will empower Americans to pursue non-college pathways and allow private employers to develop workforce education to support their industries’ needs. I’m also keen on addressing inflation since it continues to affect every working family across the country. Our only way out of this mess is to curb spending, lower taxes, and get Americans back to work.
WHAT SORTS OF POLICIES, SUCH AS TAX AND REGULATORY REFORMS, DO YOU HOPE TO WORK ON TO SUPPORT SMALL-BUSINESS OWNERS AND THE HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY?
Small businesses have faced unprecedented economic headwinds in recent years – from a pandemic to record-breaking inflation and the ongoing labor shortage. Right now, the quickest way to provide our small businesses with relief is to pare burdensome regulations. Congress should also continue working to make the small business tax cuts included in the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act permanent so American businesses can have the certainty needed to run successful operations.
WHAT EXCITES YOU THE MOST ABOUT SERVING IN CONGRESS?
There are many amazing aspects of my job, but my favorite is the opportunity to serve and help my constituents. Americans have real problems that need solutions. There’s nothing more rewarding than successfully assisting a constituent who needs help accessing VA benefits, receiving a Social Security check, or getting a passport in time for a family vacation. We can get past all the noise in Washington and make a real impact on people’s lives.
WHAT INDUSTRY (OR INDUSTRIES) DID YOU WORK IN BEFORE YOU WERE ELECTED TO CONGRESS?
Prior to being elected to Congress, I had the honor of working for President Donald Trump at the White House for four years. I held various positions, but most notably I was the deputy assistant to the president and director of presidential advance. I left the White House briefly to work on the president’s campaign as deputy campaign manager for presidential operations. Before then I worked on various local campaigns in Cleveland, as well as Senator Marco Rubio’s presidential campaign in 2016.
WHAT LED YOU TO RUN FOR CONGRESS?
I ran for Congress for the same reason I joined the Marine Corps; I felt the call to serve a purpose larger than myself. I wanted to serve the people of Northeast Ohio and work with them to find common-sense solutions to the problems most impacting our communities.
WHAT DO YOU MOST ENJOY ABOUT STAYING IN HOTELS?
My work has always required me to travel a lot, which can be difficult since I’m away from home and my family so often. What I enjoy most about staying in hotels is having a little home away from home. Sometimes traveling so much is exhausting and coming back to a great hotel makes it a little bit easier. Whether it’s friendly staff, a comfortable bed, or a delicious meal, hotels can make or break a trip.
WHY ARE HOTELS AND HOTEL OWNERS IMPORTANT TO YOUR DISTRICT/STATE?
Hotels and hotel owners help to drive our local economy in Northeast Ohio. Whether it’s fans coming to town to watch the Browns, Guardians, and Cavaliers, family visiting their favorite relatives, or people in town on business, hotel and hotel owners support far more than just the local tourism industry.
THE HOTEL WORKFORCE WAS ONE OF THE INDUSTRIES MOST AFFECTED BY THE PANDEMIC. DO YOU SEE CONGRESS PLAYING A ROLE TO SUPPORT BUILDING BACK THE HOTEL WORKFORCE?
As I mentioned earlier, one of my foremost priorities in Congress is supporting and growing our workforce. Businesses need workers with the appropriate skills to keep our economy humming, and workers need skills that will connect them with well-paying jobs. I’m working to expand alternative pathways into strong jobs, and I hope my colleagues will join me in this endeavor.
is the vice president of Patel Partners, a bipartisan, bicameral government affairs consulting firm located on Capitol Hill, and he can be reached at [email protected].
When America’s Hoteliers Take Action, Congress Listens
AAHOA’s Action Alert Center provides you the resources you need to contact your representatives, tell your story, and promote AAHOA’s top legislative priorities. Be sure to visit AAHOA.com/Alerts for up-to-the-minute updates on all important legislative issues, including H.R. 7242, the Loans in Our Neighborhoods (LIONS) Act, which would increase the maximum loan amount for the Small Business Administration (SBA) 7(a) program from $5 million to $10 million.
Write to your Member of Congress to garner support for this legislation and ask them to cosponsor H.R. 7242. Your voice can help move this legislation forward.
ADDICTIVE CREATIVE/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM
