MSHA Lobbying

Gao ID: HEHS-96-9R October 19, 1995

Pursuant to a congressional request, GAO examined whether Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) officials engaged in activities with mining industry executives to discredit proposed legislation affecting MSHA. GAO noted that: (1) MSHA officials reported that they actively communicated their opposition to the proposed legislation, but they did not urge anyone to contact congressional representatives to express their opposition; (2) there was no evidence to contradict MSHA officials' statements; (3) a confidential source alleged that in May 1995, MSHA field staff urged industry representatives to contact Members of Congress to oppose the proposed legislation, but the source failed to provide sufficient evidence to support these allegations; and (4) one MSHA employee reported that, in his capacity as union representative, he urged the public to contact Congress to oppose the legislation, but he did so during nongovernment time with nongovernment resources.



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