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News & Analysis | REG•WATCH Blog | Press Room
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
House Nearing Passage of Mine Safety Bill
The House is nearing passing of a bill that would tighten safety standards for miners and expand the enforcement authority of the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA), according to CQ Politics.
The bill is a follow up to the MINER Act which passed in 2006 after the Sago and Darby mine disasters. George Miller (D-CA), chairman of the House Education and Labor committee and champion of the bill, believes continuing mine safety problems and collapses like the one in Crandall Canyon Utah last year warrant additional Congressional action.
The White House Office of Management and Budget issued a veto threat of the bill yesterday. OMB says the bill would undermine progress being made in implementing the MINER Act and, in some cases, would actually make mines less safe.
That seems unlikely, especially since the United Mine Workers (the major union for miners) supports the bill.
If the bill also passes the Senate, it is unclear whether Democrats will be able to rally enough votes to override a Bush veto. According to CQ Politics, some House Republicans oppose the bill:
Rep. Howard P. "Buck" McKeon , R-Calif., slammed the bill as "premature at best," adding it "ignores the progress that has been made." He urged adoption of a GOP substitute that would strip the new fines, earlier timelines and stricter safety requirements from the bill.
Judging by that description, the Republican bill must be a few blank sheets of paper.
Update: The House passed the bill in a 214-199 vote.
Posted by Matt Madia
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