New York Times blasts Republicans for delaying bill to improve mine safety

The Senate's delay of new mine safety regulations during the election season is intolerable, writes The New York Times in its Sunday editorial. "The case for far stronger safety laws was tragically made last April when 29 miners were killed in an explosion down in the Upper Big Branch mine in West Virginia," the Times writes. "The shoddy safety record of the mine owner, Massey Energy, soon became clear — along with the need to plug gaping flaws in regulations and enforcement biased toward owners over miners who take all the risks"

The newspaper notes the House has a mine safety bill moving toward a floor vote, but the Senate's "attempt at a bipartisan bill is floundering." West Virginia Democratic Sen. John Rockefeller is blaming Republican staffers on the delay, but the Times asks, "Where are the elected principals on such a vital issue?" The House bill would give the Mine Safety and Health Administration subpoena power over recalcitrant owners, increase civil and criminal penalties, provide protection for whistle-blowing miners and mandate faster disaster investigations.

The House bill now includes safety amendments to account for some of the issues raised by the Gulf of Mexico summer oil blowout, providing even more motivation for passing the bill, the newspaper writes. "Republicans insist that they are not obstructionists serving Big Coal, but Mr. Rockefeller has the greater credibility," the Times concludes. "Last April, the death toll from Upper Big Branch found both chambers resounding with regret and resolve for reform. So, where’s the action? Can lawmaking be any harder than mining?" (Read more)