Robert Byrd: “This isn't the average. This is deplorable, is what it is. It's not average, and it's not acceptable.”

Congress has authorized the most aggressive miner protection laws in the history of the world--history of the universe.

I don't believe it was because of lack of funding. I don't believe that MSHA lacked enforcement authorities. I don't believe that.

Massey mines were cited for 31,000 violations. This means that, on the average during that 10 year period, a miner was seriously injured every other day.

Never, ever, ever get rid of the filibuster. It is the guardian of minority rights and an essential engine for consensus.