On the recordMarch 25, 2014
After 5 years, the States would be asked to report back with a description in detail of any proposed changes that should be made to the rule. This legislation ensures that the States that are directly impacted by the proposed rule would have an actual say-so in the process, instead of a topdown approach from the Office of Surface Mining. Despite what some may say, it does not stop the administration from protecting waterways or the environment. Mr. Chairman, the rewrite of this rule has cost the taxpayers nearly $10 million and threatens to shut down underground coal mining in America, killing thousands of jobs in the process. I thank Chairman Hastings and Congressman Lamborn for their leadership on this important issue, and I urge all of my colleagues to support this legislation.
