Wednesday, July 02, 2008
Senate committee increases OSHA, MSHA funding
The Senate Appropriations Committee on June 26 approved a fiscal year 2009 budget for agencies covered under the Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies appropriations – including OSHA and the Mine Safety and Health Administration.
The proposed $154.9 billion budget adds $9.5 billion to the president's request. Committee Chairman Sen. Robert C. Byrd, D-WV, said the proposed funding "fills critical gaps" in President Bush's budget request.
The Senate legislation provides $504 million for OSHA and $346 million for MSHA. Those figures represent increases of about $4 million and nearly $15 million, respectively, from FY 2008 levels.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention would receive $6.5 billion, including $50 million in mine safety research for sub-agency NIOSH, as well as $507 million for pandemic influenza preparation.
The House Appropriations Committee approved a fiscal year 2009 Labor-HHS budget of $157.5 billion.