Jay Rockefeller: “Mr. President I am very pleased that the Senate is taking the necessary steps today to move forward with a reasonable…”

“Mr. President I am very pleased that the Senate is taking the necessary steps today to move forward with a reasonable tax relief package. In the coming days, conferees from the Senate and the House will work together to craft a final bill for the President to sign. Yesterday and today, I supported a number of motions offered by my colleagues to instruct our conferees to maintain the Senate's position because, indeed, the Senate package enjoys bipartisan support. I am very proud that the Senate legislation also includes a bipartisan amendment that I worked hard to develop that will stimulate investment in mine safety. Our amendment has two key components. The first provision allows accelerated depreciation to encourage mines to invest in new telecommunications technology, tracking devices, improved breathing apparatus, and other critical safety equipment. The second major initiative provides incentives for the creation of additional mine safety rescue teams. While a miner is trapped, he or she should not have to wait for hours for a rescue team to arrive from far away. West Virginia, Appalachia, and our entire Nation have been stunned and saddened by the recent mine tragedies in West Virginia, Kentucky, and Utah that took the lives of 18 miners and devastated families, friends, and communities. I have visited our West Virginia communities and spoken with families and officials. In the memory of these brave miners, we must take bold and swift action to promote mine safety.…”