Congresswoman Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., this past week introduced H.R 3697, the “Mine Safety Accountability and Improved Protection Act.” Capito’s legislation seeks to streamline the conference and appeals process, improve implementation of mine safety and health regulation, hold violators accountable by increasing penalties—both financial and criminal—for violations of the law, all with the end goal of creating a safer working environment for our miners.
“Mine safety is not a partisan issue. We can work together across party lines and across the Capitol to give everyone involved in mine safety, from inspectors to operators to the miners themselves, the resources they want, need and deserve to run a safe mine,” stated Capito, co-founder of the Congressional Coal Caucus.