In fact, in 2009, the number of fatalities in coal mines reached a low of 18.

Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the privilege to be recognized here on the floor of the United States House of Representatives and have the opportunity to address you and hopefully illuminate some of these arguments that come before the American…

Is your mine organized? Is it represented by a labor union?

I think that we need these people to be sworn in and everyone tell what they know, so we can get to the bottom of this.

I'll have one last question, after I yield to Senator Byrd, and it's going to involve your comment about this open investigation by MSHA.

I don't think too many companies are out there looking to copy what's going on at Massey and implementing that at their operations.

Mr. Blankenship, you should have a chance to respond to that.

We can't be at the mine daily.

I do think it's wrong to have this hearing in private, and all of us try to figure out traipse behind to figure out what happened.

I join you, also, in thanking you both for being here.

I have full confidence in the Secretary of Labor, Hilda Solis. I think she was a fine appointment.

I feel their loss.

I would hope that you would pursue the second course of action.

I call up amendment No. 4085 and ask for its immediate consideration. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there objection to setting aside the pending amendment?

Mr. President, I wish to be heard on this amendment. We were told to stay here tonight so we could offer amendments. I have had an amendment pending since this bill was brought to the floor. I have not been able to bring it up. We were…

What is the pending amendment? The PRESIDING OFFICER. The pending amendment is amendment No. 4050, offered by the Senator from Maryland, Mr. Cardin.

Mr. President, until we find some way to work something out, I suggest the absence of a quorum. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll. The bill clerk proceeded to call the roll.

I say to my friend, the leader, that we seem to have an impasse. I have an annuities amendment. I don't know what is going to happen to that. I don't know if they are going to bring it up, vote on it or not vote on it. No one has said to…