A Senate panel on Thursday advanced President Donald Trump’s nominee to lead federal mine safety efforts.
The Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee approved Wayne Palmer to lead the Mine Safety and Health Administration 12-11 along party lines.
The panel also voted to confirm Marco Rajkovich to remain a member of the Federal Mine Safety and Health Review Commission, a panel that adjudicates disputes from MSHA.
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Senators advanced Palmer’s nomination despite calls from Appalachian advocates for a public hearing to ask questions about recent staff and budget cuts, and how that could affect research around diseases like black lung that are hurting miners.
