Mine bill to crack down on repeat violators, introduced by Dems naturally-rethugs whine

[babylonsister]

Keep it up, Dems; ignore that boring background noise that signifies nothing.

Mine bill to crack down on repeat violators

By SAM HANANEL
Associated Press Writer


WASHINGTON (AP) -- Democratic lawmakers, seeking to prevent another mine disaster like the April explosion that killed 29 workers in West Virginia, proposed sweeping new legislation Tuesday that would make it easier to shut down mines with poor safety records.

The bill - to be introduced in the House this week - would also boost penalties for serious violations, grant mine regulators the power to subpoena documents and testimony, and offer greater protection to whistleblowers who report safety problems. The Senate is expected to take up a similar measure soon.

Leaders of the House and Senate committees that oversee mine safety said the measure is needed to fix a badly flawed system that came to light after the accident at the Upper Big Branch mine in Montcoal, W.Va. - the nation's worst mining accident in four decades.

"Mine operators who callously and repeatedly put their workers in danger must be held accountable," said Rep. George Miller, chair of the House Education and Labor Committee.

Democratic leaders have said they want to pass the legislation by year end. Mine industry officials who were still reviewing the details said they expect some tinkering, but warned lawmakers against going too far.

"While it may be necessary to supplement the tools they have, they have to implement tools they already have," said Luke Popovich, a spokesman for the National Mining Association.

Some Republicans expressed disappointment that Democrats did not work with them in crafting the plan. Sens. Mike Enzi, R-Wyo., and Johnny Isakson, R-Ga., said they wanted to see the kind of bipartisan approach that happened the last time Congress passed comprehensive changes to mine laws following the 2006 Sago mine disaster.

more...

http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_MINE_SAFETY?SITE=CONGRA&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT

[sakabatou]

1. So... the Republicans want a repeat Massey mine disaster?

[babylonsister]

2. They want bipartisanship, doncha know, so they can obstruct some more. nt

[sakabatou]

3. But as we all know, they don't give a shit about bi-partisanship

[Angry Dragon]

4. It is time for the Democrats to do what they were elected to do

protect and serve the people, if the republicans want to go along for the ride, then fine, if not, then they can tell the voters that they really do not give a damn about them

[babylonsister]

7. Seems the Dems ARE doing what they were elected to do. nt

[Angry Dragon]

8. I will wait and see if they push without watering it down

[babylonsister]

9. You wait; in the meantime, can you spare some of your wrath

for the rethugs? They actually deserve it.

[Angry Dragon]

10. dear babylonsister..... Every chance I get I attack the republicans

I have called boehners office and complained about some of his comments
I would like nothing better than to see some good bills passed that actually accomplish something
The thing that I have trouble understanding is that the democrats control the House, the Senate, and the White House
and it seems that they bend over backwards for the republicans.
If someone could explain the reasoning behind this I will listen.
I have enough wrath for anyone that panders to the corporations
and worries more about how they will get elected than doing their job.
If they do their job the people will get the benefits and they will get
elected again.
It is time for the democrats to grow some b---s.

[Scurrilous]

5. K & R

:thumbsup:

[Staph]

6. Yes, let's have a bipartisan effort

to produce another bill, like the one created after the Sago Mine disaster.

:sarcasm:

Of course, Massey Energy ignored many of the provisions of that bill. The bill set no deadline to provide miners with improved rescue gear. No deadline for better communications equipment. And Massey is notorious for accumulating huge numbers of safety violations, and then tying it all up in appeals so that they don't have to pay fines.

I want a bill with teeth, a bill with real and painful penalties, that will stop the Don Blankenships of the world from making their fortunes of the backs of working people.