MSHA under fire

Some legislators are warning MSHA chief Richard Stickler that he better get on the stick. Rep. George Miller, the chairman of the House Education and Labor Committee, said in a letter to Labor Secretary Elaine Chao: "I hope you agree that we must do everything in our power to make sure that 2007 is not a repeat of 2006, which was a disastrous and tragic year for miners and their families." Congress passed the MINER act eight months ago in response to two major mining disasters. In all, 47 coal miners died in 2006. In his letter, Miller, D-Calif., said it's "critical" that the law "be implemented quickly and effectively." But he said he had concerns about the progress the department is making. U.S. Senator Robert C. Byrd, chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee, also got in on the act, urging Congress move forward with tough oversight on MSHA. Your comment?