The Robert C. Byrd Mine Safety Protection Act was drafted in the wake of West Virginia’s Big Branch tragedy that killed 29 miners. It would toughen enforcement, for example by preventing coal corporations from endlessly appealing violation citations, thus stalling federal actions against dangerous mines.
House Labor Chairman George Miller, D-Calif., sought to suspend House rules and pass the Byrd Act, a tactic requiring two-thirds approval. He succeeded in gaining a 214-193 majority, with 26 members not voting, but fell short of two-thirds.
Every Republican except one opposed the safety effort. Rep. Shelley Capito, R-W.Va., denounced the attempt, calling it ‘‘partisan games’’ to bring up the bill ‘‘in the dead of night.’’ She said the Byrd Act ‘‘imposes severe penalties on businesses, introduces dramatic regulatory changes and promotes unnecessary litigation.’’
Rep. Nick Rahall, D-W.Va., supported the bill. Lame-duck Rep. Alan Mollohan, D-W.Va., soon to leave Congress, was absent.
Chairman Miller said the Byrd bill would save miners. ...
Also, the Byrd Act would protect miners who report safety problems, give U.S. investigators more power to demand information after accidents, require weekend and night-shift inspections, and toughen criminal penalties for violations.
It’s a shame that Democrats couldn’t pass this lifesaving law while they still dominate Congress. We wish that party leaders would keep members in session straight through the holidays to approve many reforms while there’s still time. After Republicans take power next month, it will be too late.
Online:
http://www.wvgazette.com
Don never made a comment of support for W that I ever heard. In fact he made several against the involvement in Iraq.
Again, fact is: Democrats ran both the House and Senate for over 3 years when the UBB explosion happened. THEY had oversight; THEY could have done anything they wanted, but, liberal democrats did nothing. Obama was in office for over a year, had huge, overwhelming majorities in both houses, and could have gotten ANY mine safety bill he wanted; yet, what did he do? Waste his time on a pork barrel wasteful trillion dollar boondoggle and forcing his stupid Obamacare bill on everyone.
W left office over a year before UBB. Republicans lost the House and Senate over 3 years before UBB.
Fact is fact. It happened on Obama's watch; under the 9/11 rule, he is responsible.
Dastardly Bush,s "Midnight Regulations" in 2008 promoting self-regulation by the Coal Industry in 2008 to give the Coal Industry the right to violate Federal Law and to destroy Logan County by Mountain Top Removal Mining.
This was done in 2008 by presidential decree and not by Congressional action or approval.
Google "Interior Secretary Blasts Mountaintop Removal".
While Bush was president, Don and George was hooked at the r*@!um.
Give me a break.
Don obviously does not have a free hand in anything; every time you pick up the paper Massey is the target of another regulatory effort, or investigation.
Again, your writing is nonsensical. Bush and Cheney lost control of the regulatory body in November, 2006, nearly 4 years before UBB, and, lost the White House in Nov. 2008, well over a year before UBB. He who is in charge gets the blame, right? Remember 9/11? Clinton sat around with his pants around his ankles smoking cigars and molesting young women less than half his age, for 8 years; Bush gets in and 8 months later this happens, and dolts like you blame him. So yeah, Obama is to blame, 100%.
See, I can sound like a stupid liberal too, but it takes a lot of effort.
The UBBM disaster was the direct result of Bush/Cheney weakening mine safety and giving Don and the coal industry a free hand.
Pull your head out and give me a break.
As for mine safety, UBB happened after 3 1/2 years of the Barney, Nancy and Nicky Joe Show; well into Obama's term; where's the safety?
As for George Miller, I would put him in the top 3 of the Worst of the House; the man is a bum who has repeatedly infringed upon the rights of freedom loving Americans, he is filthy rich and has no regard for his constituents. He don't impress me much.
As usual, the Gazette is long on demagoguing and short on truth.
The article makes reference to the fact that all but one Republican U.S.Representative voted against the Robert C Byrd Mine Safety Act.
The article then lists U.S.Rep. Shelley Moore making a statement, this would imply that she voted for the Act, she did not vote for the Act, U.S. Rep. Jones of North Carolina was the only Republican that voted for the Mine Safety Act.
Shelley Moore voted against the the Safety and Health of all underground coal miners in the U.S.,Shelley Moore figurativly spat in the face of Mine Safety and W.Va. coal miners.
How can West Virginians vote for people that will not support the people.