Joe Manchin

I co-sponsored legislation again this year--the Robert C. Byrd Mine Safety Protection Act--which would increase criminal penalties for mine safety violations and ensure MSHA has the necessary enforcement authority to halt operations at…

For many West Virginia families, coal mining is a way of life and we must arm the Federal Government with the necessary resources to ensure safety standards are met and our brave miners face less risk.

Time is of the essence--the longer we wait to solve this problem the more expensive and more difficult it becomes.

In 2015, 4,836 workers were killed on the job across the country.

OSHA resources are already strained and too many workers are being put in danger.

Unfortunately, the President's budget request both includes a small cut to OSHA and shifts their focus away from enforcement and inspections.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration, OSHA, as we know it, plays a critical role in ensuring that our workers are safe in their workplaces.

How do you intend to encourage the environment in which mine safety inspectors and mine employees are encouraged to speak up about violations?

If you are focusing--I mean, it looks like your shift is focusing away from enforcement and inspections. How would it be safer?

The underlying premise of MSHA's mission is to prevent minor fatalities and accidents.

I guess what I would ask you is is the Department of Labor activity working on solutions for this problem?

I do remain deeply concerned about President Trump's harmful agenda for workers and the Federal investments that help make sure they are safe and have security.

The President's budget proposes deep cuts to those investments that provide over 20 million workers with 21st century skills they need to succeed in a rapidly changing global economy.

The President's recently announced executive order on apprenticeships would actually loosen standards that are intended to make sure businesses getting Federal workforce funds actually deliver results.

The budget would undermine U.S. energy leadership in a sector that is poised to grow millions of jobs around the world.

I think it is one of the most important studies you all have taken on and I thank you for it, because I think it is going to be imperative for the American people and the security of our nation that we find out, how do we keep these grids…

You are a person of your word, and I thank you.

69.6 percent is not a good starting point.

No, it is not a good starting point. It is a terrible starting point.

I think you have been sent on a suicide mission here.

The U.S. is the leader in clean energy technology, and we are committed to this mission.

When you have 60 days of coal laying there, you are not going to interrupt that, they are going to feed it, and that is going to give you power.

We worked well together.

I think that is the way we are supposed to work here, too.

I will never forget that.