Democrats Pass Mine Safety Bill Despite GOP Objections and Threatened Veto

[babylonsister]

Democrats pass mine safety bill

Democrats Pass Mine Safety Bill Despite GOP Objections and Threatened Veto

JESSE J. HOLLAND
AP News

Jan 16, 2008 16:19 EST


Defying White House veto threats, the Democrat-controlled House on Wednesday passed sweeping mine safety legislation aimed at preventing future underground disasters like the one that took nine lives last year at Crandall Canyon mine in Utah.

Republican and mining industry officials complained Congress and President Bush demanded mine safety changes in 2006 after the Sago mine disaster, which killed 12 West Virginia miners. New legislation, they say, would imperil the safety changes already underway.

"We're stepping on something we haven't even implemented yet," said Rep. Howard "Buck" McKeon, R-Calif.

Democrats accused the Bush administration of being lax on getting the required changes in the 2006 law in place.

"Congress has been forced to act to improve mine safety because of the Bush administration's total failure to work aggressively to keep miners safe on the job," said Rep. George Miller, D-Calif., chairman of the House Education and Labor Committee.

Representatives voted 214-199 to pass the Supplementary Mine Improvement and New Emergency Response Act, also called S-MINER.

more...

http://talkingpointsmemo.com/news/2008/01/democrats_pass_mine_safety_bil.php

[elehhhhna]

1. Better tell Obama, cuz he HATES mine safety.

[babylonsister]

2. Link? Maybe he just doesn't like coal. nt

[blondeatlast]

3. Do tell. How exactly has he demonstrated that he does (this from an Edwards supporter, btw)? nt

[blondeatlast]

4. Sounds like a damn good bill--independent investigations, subpoena power, law enforcement

being able to call off operations and secure the area.

:applause:

[WHEN CRABS ROAR]

5. Bush has filled up gov. mine safety with his own people.

Most of all fines have never been payed.