Republicans Block Miner Safety Bill

Press Release

U.S. Rep. George Miller (D-CA), chairman of the House Education and Labor Committee, issued the following statement after House Republicans voted to block the passage of mine safety legislation. While a majority of the House voted to approve the bill, final passage required at least a two-thirds majority under the suspension of the rules.

"I am pleased that a majority of the House of Representatives voted in strong support of our nation's miners and their families. However, I am deeply disappointed that Republicans turned their backs on those who go underground every day, 600 of whom who have died in the last decade. As other mine tragedies have show us in the past, inaction today is paid for with the lives of hard-working miners tomorrow. The majority of the House is now on record in supporting miners and their families. I will continue to be a forceful advocate on behalf of stronger miner safety and health protections."

The Robert C. Byrd Mine Safety Protection Act (H.R. 6495), would give the Mine Safety and Health Administration powerful new tools to keep miners safe and hold mine operators accountable for putting their workers in danger. The bill is modeled after mine safety reforms approved by the committee in July.

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