White House Threatens Safe Mines Bill Veto

Administration Says Additional Law Would Interfere With Legislation Passed In 2006

(AP)  The White House on Tuesday threatened to veto a mine safety bill, saying the new regulations proposed by Democrats would interfere with legislation President Bush signed in 2006.

House Democrats on Wednesday planned to pass the Supplementary Mine Improvement and New Emergency Response Act, also called S-MINER, which they say is a needed follow-up to the sweeping safety changes in the 2006 MINER Act. That bill was passed after the 2006 Sago Mine disaster in West Virginia that killed 12 people.

Democrats now want to pass a bill that would add safeguards to "retreat" mining, the type of mining that was being done at central Utah's Crandall Canyon, where nine people died in August 2007. They say the bill would improve emergency response to mine sites and reduce long-term health risks facing miners.

The bill also would give the federal Mine Safety and Health Administration subpoena authority, increase penalties for safety violations, and create an ombudsman's office to handle miners' safety complaints.

The Bush administration contends that the Democrats' mine safety legislation would jeopardize achievements and efforts under way because of the MINER Act.

"We are focused on implementing the 2006 MINER Act, which provided MSHA with strong new tools to be able to accomplish this mission," said Richard Stickler, who leads the federal mine safety agency. "S-MINER, on the other hand, would undermine these and other ongoing efforts."

"In particular, several of the regulatory mandates in the S-MINER bill would weaken several existing regulations and overturn regulatory processes that were required by the MINER Act and are ongoing," according to a White House statement that threatened a presidential veto if the bill comes to Bush in its current form.

The National Mining Association, a trade group, shared the White House view that the bill would divert resources unnecessarily.

"Mine safety experts, including prominent deans and heads of leading mining engineering schools, agree that additional legislation is unwarranted until the MINER Act is fully implemented and its effectiveness properly assessed," association president Kraig R. Naasz said.

Democrats planned to push on with the legislation with the support of the United Mine Workers, which has come out in favor of the legislation.

"The administration has weakened or rolled back a number of existing mine safety regulations," said Rep. George Miller, D-Calif., chairman of the House Education and Labor Committee.

"And now, the White House is offering a series of completely baseless excuses to explain its decision to threaten a veto of this urgently needed legislation," Miller said. "President Bush should stop playing politics with people's lives and work with Congress to enact mine safety reforms that were left unaddressed by the MINER Act of 2006."

The bill number is H.R. 2768.

[antizion]

This is why rich people should not be allowed into politics. A mine shaft would be a great place for all the super wealthy.

[watcher269-2009]

Yep, Bushit and his crew giving workers the SHAFT again.

[ontheleft]

The bill would ''increase penalties for safety violations''. No wonder Bush has threatened it with a veto.

[watcher269-2009]

I heard this about some of the SS agents that guard the President. You know how the name given the President is POTUS for President of the United States.

Well I heard they took the OT out of the name and now he''s called President United States or PUS.

I heard evidently it is Cheney who has the OT now.

[magoo2u1]

Now I can add this to my "Why I don''t like Bush" list. He has been the most blatant anti-worker president in my lifetime. Businees has to make a profit, no problem. But "We the people" are not expendable cogs in the machine. Here in NC the ligislature passed new laws to protect companies that kill you at work by violating OSHA rules. It''s how we know they care!!

[watcher269-2009]

Bush disowns%u2019 intelligence estimate on Iran

Most of the world experienced a collective sigh of relief recently when the Bush administration released the conclusions of a National Intelligence Estimate on Iran, and the collective judgment of U.S. intelligence officials is that Iran halted its nuclear-weapons program more than four years ago. Without an imminent nuclear threat, the neocon dream of a military confrontation with Iran seemed effectively off the table.

Of course, that%u2019s only true if the president is willing to take the NIE seriously. There%u2019s growing evidence that he does not.



[I]n private conversations with Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert last week, the president all but disowned the document, said a senior administration official who accompanied Bush on his six-nation trip to the Mideast. %u201CHe told the Israelis that he can%u2019t control what the intelligence community says, but that [the NIE%u2019s] conclusions don%u2019t reflect his own views%u201D about Iran%u2019s nuclear-weapons program, said the official, who would discuss intelligence matters only on the condition of anonymity.

[missingamerica]

Well, forming an opinion about this issue is easy.

The people who actually work in the mines want it; the people who don''t go into the mines, like the Administration and the mine owners, don''t want it.

The Administration has a track record of not caring how many people die or where to accomplish their goals; the mine owners have a somewhat longer track record of not caring how many people die or where to accomplish their goals.

Both the Administration and the mine owners have demonstrated that they care more about corporate profits than they do about people.

Duh. Pass the S-MINER legislation.

[mythoughtsr]

Yeah, let those Washington losers actually spend one HOUR inside one of those mines and then ask them how they felt about being in there and the prospect of that being their tomb. No one in Washington who doesn''t actually have to work for a living has any idea of the horrors of unsafe mines. I''d like to have them look in the faces of the families left after mine tragedies and say "we''re vetoing more safety for your loved ones". I really despise this government.

[skyk-2009]

The National Mining Association, a trade group, shared the White House view that the bill would divert resources unnecessarily.

Why does Sir Lies-A-Lot ALWAYS come down on THIS side of issues concerning workers safety and welfare?

[antoniof123]

A lesson from history maybe America will learn.

In 1954 The Democrats swept to power to stop the Republican maniac Senator McCarthy after attempt were made in 1956 the Democrats came into more power and Senator McCarthy was disgraced by the American people by giving the Democrats almost ultimate power. For 40 the Republicans were out of favor with the American people. The reason after McCarthy our parents learned their lesson.

McCarthy was just a Junior Senator and it cost the Republicans 40 years because it took America that long to clean up the mess and for our parents to die.

What do you think the Republicans are looking at now because life expectancy in longer by about 10 years?

[gkc99]

Yes, the Darth Bushit regime had passed some laws benefitting Bushit''s Billionaires and making sure their profits weren''t impeded in their flow to Cayman Island tax shelters by any pesky workers'' safety issues.

Bushit cares not whether you or I die on the job, as long as his uber-rich continue to prosper.

And the weird thing is, there are still a few non-billionaires out there that think Bushit is anything but a Howdy Doody.

[walt1944-2009]

Once again, it has been learned that the Great Emperor Bush II will veto a bill this time providing for greater safety working in mines. The official reason is that it "interferes" with laws passed by the Great Emperor Gush II several years earlier.

However, many of us know that the real reason is that the Great Emperor Bush is again playing politics with the lives and livlihood of the working class by vetoing anything which the Congress or the evil, cowardly Whimpo-crats send to the White House, which could be of benefit to the working class and would cost the Great Emperor''s wealthy friends in business MONEY!

And yet, amazingly, the cowardly Whimp-ocrats supposedly in the majority in Congress refuse to consider putting impeachment back on the table.
Those in Congress with any kind of "backbone" like Dennis Kucinich and Ron Paul are totally ignored, because they are doing what they were elected for: representing what the people want, not what lobbyists, special interests, and big business wants!!!

There are 2 types of power in this country; people power and money power. In the 1960''s and early 1970''s, it was people power taking to the streets that brought down 2 presidents, LBJ and "the Trickster" Nixon. Today, the power is with big business and big money and the people don''t count, even on election day.

HOW SAD FOR THE GREAT EXPERIMENT THAT WAS THE UNITED STATES!

SIG HEIL, BUSH!!!

[ov442]

Lets see, Bush appoints a Former Mine Owner to oversee Mine safety regulations.
Multiple Mine collapses and safety violations as well as dozens of deaths occur in only a few years span.
Mine workers Union, represents those that might die, wants more safety processes and guarntees put in.
Mine owners refuse.
Bush sides again with Mine owners. Instead of those that might die that have experience with those that have died.
Yeah, whatever Bush. You are plain Evil and so are the owners of the mines, your lobbyists.

[sgtrds]

Bush forced through a recess appointment when even republicans wouldn''t vote for mining company lackey Richard Stickler. Stickler then set about gutting mine safety in favor of company profits and more and more miners died. Bush, however, doesn''t give a da*mn because he is an elitist pig who doesn''t think any person of the working class is even a human being, but is rather just a part of the machinery of this nation. Top be used, discarded or even killed, in favor of corporate profits.

Bush does NOT care!

[aaabee-2009]

In other news, the White House applauds a Virginia state bill to restrict joke rubber testic1es from being hung off trailor hitches, and in an inspired speach, Bush declared all Virginia dogs should wear pants.

Republican policy makers were said to erupt in wild-eyed frantic applause at these remarks, while Virginia mine workers quietly left the room.

[inventagod]

Wow - I thought Bu$h had already gutted the Mine Safety and Health Administration budget...
Jeeze, what is left for this administration to destroy???

[mwhc1]

Too much! I think people who voted for Bush should start being taxed extra. They (the ''people'' who voted for him) need to be punished. Those who voted for him the second time might need to do a little time behind bars.

[pepperp1]

Wellllllllllllll I am SCHOCKED how about all of you, and why are the people that sent those poor men entombed in Utah not up on charges yet.

Because the President re appoint his Bolten like crony that was involved with out confirmation again temporarily


What a peevish little prig this man is and get off your knees you are embarrassing our NATION who despite your rule are going green and will sacrifice%u2026.

[cyberus-2009]

This surprises who?
King W Golden Rule Profit greater than People

[rowdytexan2]

Once again, Mr. Bush refuses to listen to the will of the people. Ever miner in the US should set down tools and walk away. Folks, this is the only way that we are going to stop this mess for the next year.

We not only need to show Mr. Bush, but we need to show congress that we mean business. Congress answers your letter in protest about an issue with a form letter response. We''re not being heard. Only by a show of bodies are these folks going to get the message.

[mwhc1]

It''s just the cost of arresting this guy... for what?? i think there are bigger issues to worry about - and this makes headline news????? and i''m posting this?????

[aaabee-2009]

Posted by RowdyTexan2 at 09:59 AM : Jan 16, 2008

I always get a kick out of your posts.

If miners are like the rest of us, they can put down their tools and walk away, but living paycheck to paycheck like most of us do means within a week, some kids don''t eat, within two weeks quarters for clean laundry and diapers run out, and within the month, rent and car payment goes unpaid and some kids loose a roof over their heads.

Living paycheck to paycheck is something an elitist like Bush will never understand, but it is a knife to the throats of the working class.

[tejasdemo]

Let''s move the White House to an underground mine in West Virginia. You can bet your a ss they make ''em safe then.

Wait, they would probably just make that particular area safe. The rest of the miners can just go to hell.

[lvdragonlady-2009]

My dad was a miner for many years mostly in silver mines but they can be as dangerous as any other mine. He always said that it was the owners that cut safety to have bigger profits. Owners/mine bosses should be held accountable for all safety violations. They know what it takes to make a mine as safe as possible, they do not need a *** law to tell them.
Congress needs to get their head out of their a$$ and work on the economy and gas prices and ending the Iraq war and impeaching Bush.
We need to start a movement to revamp to constitution to make sure that Congress and the president have to work as many day as we do with only 2 weeks off, screw the dumb sh*t.

[sgtrds]

It''s all part of the same pattern from this corrupt administration. Bush doesn''t care if miners die, as long as the mine companies make money, just like he doesn''t care if our troops die, as long as the war is profitable. He doesn''t care if people get sick and die because he put oil, logging and coal lobbyists in charge of the EPA, as long as those companies make money. He doesn''t care if people die from drugs being rushed to market via the FDA, as long as the drug companies make money.

He just doesn''t care about the lives of any Americans, as long as there is money to be made. He''s an elitist pig.

[terrapin78]

"Can''t sign any bill that the Democrat party sends. What kind of message would I send if I approved of ANYTHING they do in Congress?" Bu$h says.

We need these baastards out of the Gov''t now.

Impeach Now! Avoid the post-(mis)Administration legal rush!!

[Krazcarl]

Now were entering stupid politics and shows how much our leader cares about the working man nor at all he''s rich he don''t care he''ll be collecting on political favors till he dies and for some time after had 80 year olg millionare tell me once if you ever think the rebuplicains care about the working man your wrong and over the last 20 years I see he''s right. The rich seldom pay taxes never join the military just rub each others backs for favor free wheels free secondaty education free house if rich enough a trust fund to live off and we wonder why the pres is out of touch with the common man he never had to live like us to him were aliens and to be honest theres not much hope in the field running on either side.

[itchyb-2009]

Speaking from one of the coal states, WV, this is yet another example of "compassionate conservatism". Hint to GOP: WV will go democratic, no matter who''s running.

[fornicario]

Another example of how much Bush cares about the people he is exploiting. He does not want safety to cut into the profit margin of his corporate cronies.

[briannorwood]

Compassionate conservatism at its best.

[simonsez40]

Too much! I think people who voted for Bush should start being taxed extra. They (the ''''people'''' who voted for him) need to be punished. Those who voted for him the second time might need to do a little time behind bars.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Posted by mwhc1

GREAT POST - GAVE ME A GREAT LAUGH AND I SO AGREE!

[inventagod]

''Since taking office in 2001, the Bush administration has cut funding and staff at the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA), the federal agency in charge of enforcing the nation%u2019s mine safety laws. The Bush administration has eliminated 170 jobs at MSHA and proposed to cut the MSHA budget in fiscal year 2006 by some $4.9 million in real dollar terms...

In 2003, the Bush administration%u2019s report on mining fatalities highlighted that deaths in the nation%u2019s mines fell by 18 percent, but the report downplayed the fact coal mining deaths actually increased by 7 percent. The drop in mine fatalities occurred in metal and nonmetal mines, not in coal mines, where the death rate increased, according to MSHA.''
http://www.aflcio.org/issues/safety/ns01052006.cfm

[mcvet]

When does the Working Guy become important again. For the last 7 years they haven''t mattered and seem to even less every day. They''ve been blackmailed into working for nearly nothing, Very long hours and no one in this Administration seems to care.

[nyckate]

These effers HAVE got to be joking ... Utah mine collasp Aug 2007.

There isn''t a chance in hades that Bush has any respect for those who voted for him - he keeps showing it to ya''ll time and time again.

[enriquecaliente]

Understand that to the privileged and very rich. We are here to serve them, hand and foot. They are the new royalty. We are serfs at best and fodder for their canons. If you are a republican you will swear on a bible and talk about family values. All the while robbing people blind, and corn-holing anything that bends over. We are here for grins and giggles as far as they''re concerned.

[Krazcarl]

PARROT2...Not very bright are we I''m a VERY liberal democrat and the field is lacking Edwards my personal favorite but not sure he can win down the line. Everyone is caught up in gender and race the party is more like a carnavil not much deapth.

[forthepeopl1]

A former congressman AND GOOD FREIND OF ROMNEY and delegate to the United Nations was indicted Wednesday as part of a terrorist fundraising ring that allegedly sent more than $130,000 to an al Qaeda and Taliban supporter who has threatened U.S. and international troops in Afghanistan.

The former Republican congressman from Michigan, Mark Deli Siljander, was charged with money laundering, conspiracy and obstructing justice for allegedly lying about lobbying senators on behalf of an Islamic charity that authorities said was secretly sending funds to terrorists.

A 42-count indictment, unsealed in U.S. District Court in Kansas City, Mo., accuses the Islamic American Relief Agency of paying Siljander $50,000 for the lobbying - money that turned out to be stolen from the U.S. Agency for International Development.