DeLauro Calls for House Hearings on Sago Mine Disaster

DeLauro Calls for House Hearings on Sago Mine Disaster

- Congress must investigate industry ties to oversight responsibilities -

WASHINGTON, D.C. - As the U.S. Senate today begins Congressional hearings on the Sago Mine disaster, Congresswoman Rosa L. DeLauro (Conn.-3) today called for hearings in the U.S. House. DeLauro is a member of the House Appropriations Labor-HHS-Education Subcommittee.

"Congress must put its full weight behind investigating mine safety, particularly following the tragic Sago event that led to the death of 12 Americans and the death of 2 additional miners this weekend in Melville, West Virginia. In order to avert future disasters, we must learn where the system put in place to protect the mining industry failed.

"Over the last two years, the Sago Mine was fined repeatedly by the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) for health and safety violations. Though mine officials paid only a few hundred dollars for each violation, 12 men paid the ultimate penalty by losing their lives. Particularly in the wake of the corruption and corporate conflicts of interest uncovered at FEMA after Hurricane Katrina, Congress must now investigate the extent of improper industry influence at MSHA. The health and safety of our country's miners depends on this oversight. Our country has unfortunately learned how health and safety concerns of our nation's workers fall by the wayside when industry insiders are charged with oversight."

http://www.house.gov/delauro/press/2006/January/Sago_hearings_1_23_06.html