Mining is a unique and dangerous industry.
And mining was significantly more dangerous in the days before Congress established effective Federal mine safety enforcement. In the past, too many miners faced a cruel choice between unemployment and a mining job that was apt to end in disabling injury, chronic lung disease, or death. This bill would hurt a lot of hard- working men and women. Repealing a good law isn't reform. Since passage of the Federal Coal Mine Health and Safety Act of 1969, McAteer noted, fatal coal mining accidents plummeted from 311 in 1968 to 44 last year, while coal production and productivity have soared.