A California congressman is trying to block immediate passage of a mine safety bill inspired by the Sago mine disaster because its wording "doesn't touch upon what would have saved these miners' lives."

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Among those opposing the move is the United Mine Workers of America, which usually has sided with Rep. George Miller on mine safety issues.

While saying he appreciates the congressman's efforts, UMW President Cecil Roberts said yesterday that the bill represents the first improvement in coal mine health and safety since 1977 and "the UMW believes that the House should take this rare opportunity and pass it without delay."

Mr. Miller, ranking Democrat on the House Committee on Education and the Workforce that oversees mine safety, said he will refuse to agree to passage of a Senate-authored mine safety bill until provisions mandating a 48-hour oxygen supply and government testing of emergency breathing devices are inserted.

In a conference call with reporters yesterday, Mr. Miller said he will stop the House from passing the bill by unanimous consent -- a parliamentary maneuver that could delay a House vote until after the Memorial Day recess and, he hopes, open it for amendments.

He demanded that Congress mandate caches of oxygen sufficient to maintain any trapped miner for a minimum of 48 hours. Current language in the bill does not specify a time period for emergency oxygen supplies.

He also wants Congress to set a 15-month deadline for mines to set up two-way communications systems to allow trapped miners to talk with rescuers on the outside.

The current bill allows a three-year grace period for such systems.

Mr. Miller said he wants an amendment that requires the government to run tests on emergency breathing units currently issued to miners.

The lone survivors at both Sago and last week's Darby mine explosion in Kentucky reported that the breathing units failed to work properly, an assertion the federal Mine Safety and Health Administration disputed.

"I believe that these amendments are not a heavy lift. I believe they are a significant improvement," Mr. Miller said.

Although disagreeing with the congressman's strategy, Mr. Roberts said the UMW intends to file a federal lawsuit next week to require MSHA to immediately conduct random testing of the self-contained self-rescuer emergency oxygen packs that miners carry underground.

The lawsuit also will call for immediate implementation of training programs "that would give miners the opportunity to actually put on and use these devices in true mining conditions underground, as opposed to the classroom training they receive now."

Mr. Miller's effort to block quick passage drew an angry rebuke from fellow House member Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., whose district includes the Sago mine.

"It is outrageous that personal posturing has blocked the passage of this important mine safety legislation," Ms. Capito said in a prepared release. "This is a huge disappointment for miners who are relying on us to help protect them, and an injustice for the families of those who have died in mine tragedies across the country."

Mr. Miller responded by releasing a letter from an attorney representing the families of three of the miners killed at Sago. Paul R. Cranston said his clients, the families of Fred Ware, Terry Helms and James Bennett, strongly support the amendments.

"Requiring at least 48 hours of oxygen for trapped miners, mandating the use of communications and tracking devices, and requiring MSHA to conduct random field tests of self-rescuers are all reasonable and common sense measures and should be part of any legislation to address mine safety," the families said in a prepared statement.