Mining, and coal mining in particular, is vital to our national and local economies, and to our national energy security. No aspect of mining is more important than protecting the health and safety of those whose hard work fuels the industry.The MINER Act, S. 2803, passed unanimously by the Senate, is the first meaningful mine safety reform in 28 years. It would improve mine safety oversight, impose stricter penalties on employers who violate MSHA policies, increase mandatory oxygen supplies, develop and employ new technologies, foster education and training programs, and open lines of communication between regulators, employers, miners, and their families.The House must join the Senate by approving this bill this week so that these crucial reforms can be put into law as soon as possible, and so that the health and safety of our nation’s miners will no longer be jeopardized.