Press Releases

U.S. House Committee on Education and the Workforce Chairman John Kline (R-MN) today released the following statement on the third anniversary of the Upper Big Branch mining disaster:

A reckless mine operator and a failure of safety enforcement contributed to the worst mining disaster in forty years. As a nation, we were stunned by the magnitude of the tragedy and inspired by the heroism of rescuers who risked their lives to save others. Mining is dangerous work but it shouldn't be deadly. Efforts to strengthen federal mine safety protections continue. Today we remember the twenty-nine men who died and the families that were forever changed. They and the entire community of Montcoal, West Virginia remain in our thoughts and prayers.

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