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OFFICIAL COMMITTEE VIDEO · 1:05:26Pick a point on the bar to jump thereTap the bar to jump1:05:26
Why this hearing
On the record: 4 witnesses, all from business and trade groups.
Real oversight or theater?
Did this hearing get real answers, or was it mostly speeches?
NO RATINGS YET
What each witness said
The main points of each witness’s written statement.
Resource Services, LLCPresident · Bruce Stevens
- Argues federal regulatory pressure and power plant closures contributed to Indiana coal's decline, with production falling to 18.4 million tons in 2025.
- Asks Congress to sustain mining training grants, explore apprenticeships, and study workforce displacement among former coal miners.
“Sustaining and expanding this program requires continued federal commitment.”
Peabody EnergyGeneral Manager · Eric Carter
- Reports a growing mining workforce shortage and says weak career pathways and longer new-hire training cause production delays and safety concerns.
- Asks Congress to advance H.R. 8210 and ensure mining occupations are included in federal apprenticeship efforts.
“Addressing that gap requires coordinated efforts among industry, educational institutions, and policymakers to develop a sustainable pipeline of trained mining professionals at every level.”
Petsonk PLLCOwner · Sam Petsonk
- Asks Congress to preserve the 2024 silica rule and press MSHA to use existing tools to cut silica exposure.
- Asks Congress to preserve a functioning mine-safety review commission, staff NIOSH, and pass the Black Lung Benefits Improvement Act.
“Most of all, MSHA must fully restore the silica rule, and receive sufficient funds to enforce it.”
Fisher Phillips LLPPartner · Arthur Wolfson
- Asks Congress to create a Pattern of Compliance designation that rewards mines with strong compliance records through enforcement relief.
- Argues MSHA should reward safety protections beyond legal requirements and clearly define key enforcement terms.
“MSHA should provide a similar incentive to mine operators with commensurate relief from enforcement if achieved.”
- Argues federal regulatory pressure and power plant closures contributed to Indiana coal's decline, with production falling to 18.4 million tons in 2025.
- Asks Congress to sustain mining training grants, explore apprenticeships, and study workforce displacement among former coal miners.
“Sustaining and expanding this program requires continued federal commitment.”
- Reports a growing mining workforce shortage and says weak career pathways and longer new-hire training cause production delays and safety concerns.
- Asks Congress to advance H.R. 8210 and ensure mining occupations are included in federal apprenticeship efforts.
“Addressing that gap requires coordinated efforts among industry, educational institutions, and policymakers to develop a sustainable pipeline of trained mining professionals at every level.”
- Asks Congress to preserve the 2024 silica rule and press MSHA to use existing tools to cut silica exposure.
- Asks Congress to preserve a functioning mine-safety review commission, staff NIOSH, and pass the Black Lung Benefits Improvement Act.
“Most of all, MSHA must fully restore the silica rule, and receive sufficient funds to enforce it.”
- Asks Congress to create a Pattern of Compliance designation that rewards mines with strong compliance records through enforcement relief.
- Argues MSHA should reward safety protections beyond legal requirements and clearly define key enforcement terms.
“MSHA should provide a similar incentive to mine operators with commensurate relief from enforcement if achieved.”
Who asked what
We haven’t logged who asked questions at this hearing yet.
Question logs come from the committee’s official video.
The committee
37 members · 20 Republicans, 16 Democrats, 1 independent
- Tim WalbergR-MI-5 · CHAIR
- Rick W. AllenR-GA-12
- Michael BaumgartnerR-WA-5
- James ComerR-KY-1
- Randy FineR-FL-6
- Virginia FoxxR-NC-5
- Glenn GrothmanR-WI-6
- Mark HarrisR-NC-8
- Julia LetlowR-LA-5
- Ryan MackenzieR-PA-7
- Lisa C. McClainR-MI-9
- Mark B. MessmerR-IN-8
- Mary E. MillerR-IL-15
- James C. MoylanR-GU-AL
- Robert F. Onder, Jr.R-MO-3
- Burgess OwensR-UT-4
- Michael A. RulliR-OH-6
- Elise M. StefanikR-NY-21
- Glenn ThompsonR-PA-15
- Joe WilsonR-SC-2
- Kevin KileyI-CA-3
- Bobby ScottD-VA-3 · RANKING
- Alma S. AdamsD-NC-12
- Suzanne BonamiciD-OR-1
- Greg CasarD-TX-35
- Joe CourtneyD-CT-2
- Mark DeSaulnierD-CA-10
- Adelita S. GrijalvaD-AZ-7
- Jahana HayesD-CT-5
- Summer L. LeeD-PA-12
- John W. MannionD-NY-22
- Lucy McBathD-GA-6
- Donald NorcrossD-NJ-1
- Ilhan OmarD-MN-5
- Haley M. StevensD-MI-11
- Mark TakanoD-CA-39
- Frederica S. WilsonD-FL-24
Witnesses
- Bruce StevensPresident, Resource Services, LLCWITNESS TYPENon-governmentalTHIS CONGRESSFirst appearance
- Eric CarterGeneral Manager, Peabody EnergyWITNESS TYPENon-governmentalTHIS CONGRESSFirst appearance
- Sam PetsonkOwner, Petsonk PLLCWITNESS TYPENon-governmentalTHIS CONGRESSFirst appearance
- Arthur WolfsonPartner, Fisher Phillips LLPWITNESS TYPENon-governmentalTHIS CONGRESSFirst appearance
In the news
No news coverage of this hearing yet.
Timeline & documents
- Field hearing noticed (done)APR 24
- Held (done)MAY 8 · 9:15 AM – 11:13 AM
- Video posted (done)MAY 8 · 11:13 AM
- Written testimony posted (done)MAY 8 · 10:18 AM
- Questions for the record posted (done)MAY 27
- Printed transcript (not yet)USUALLY ABOUT 5 MONTHS AFTER THE HEARING
- Meeting noticePDF (opens the committee’s file)
- Written testimony (4)PAGE (opens the committee’s file)
- Statements for the recordPDF (opens the committee’s file)
- Questions for the recordPDF (opens the committee’s file)
- Printed transcriptPENDING
Written follow-up questions from members, answered after the hearing. are posted. The printed transcript usually comes out about 5 months after the hearing (of hearings printed so far).
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