WASHINGTON -- By a party-line vote, a House of Representatives committee today moved sweeping mine safety legislation crafted in response to the Upper Big Branch coal mine disaster.

The Education and Labor Committee voted 30-17 to send the bill, named for the late Sen. Robert C. Byrd, to the House floor, with all Democrats voting yes and all Republicans voting no.

During a contentious markup session, Republicans primarily expressed concern with the bill's changes to the Occupational Health and Safety Act, which they said are too stiff and go beyond what should be the scope of mine safety legislation. The bill would increase whistleblower protections for all workers and step up penalties for safety hazards in all fields.

In terms of the mining industry, the bill, as amended today, would only apply to underground coal mines and other underground mines in which explosive gases can be found. It gives the federal Mine Safety and Health Administration additional power to shut down mines that display a pattern of safety violations.

The Senate, though it shared a discussion draft with the committee chairman, Rep. George Miller, D-Calif., has not yet introduced its bill, as Democrats and Republicans on the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions committee work for a bipartisan compromise.

Mr. Miller, meanwhile, is pressing for a House vote as soon as possible on the bill.

Reps. Jason Altmire, D-McCandless, and Joe Sestak, a Democrat from outside Philadelphia who is running for Senate, voted in favor of the bill. Rep. Glenn Thompson, R-Centre, voted against it.

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