The stark political differences were apparent, with Republicans opposing the Act because changes would be detrimental to changes already in process.

"We're stepping on something we haven't even implemented yet," Representative Howard "Buck" McKeon told the Associated Press

However, the Democratic side argued that federal regulators have not pushed progress for implementation of the 2006 MINER Act since its adoption almost two years ago.

"Congress has been forced to act to improve mine safety because of the Bush administration's total failure to work aggressively to keep miners safe on the job," said Representative George Miller to the news service.

Among the planned changes with the S-MINER Act: more safety measures for retreat mining, tracking technology requirements and enhanced emergency response. Coal dust monitors would also be part of the Act if it were to become law.

The split House vote is not enough to override the planned White House veto, according to the news service. The Administration said earlier this week that the President would not approve of the legislation in its current form.

"The S-MINER bill would place in jeopardy meaningful achievements and efforts currently underway (in the MINER Act)," it said. "In particular, several of the regulatory mandates in the ... bill would weaken several existing regulations and overturn regulatory processes that were required by the MINER Act and are ongoing.

"These changes would provide no opportunity for stakeholder participation in the regulatory process and would impose burdensome and unrealistic time requirements."

The National Mining Association said Thursday it was "disappointed" in the outcome but was "gratified" by the 199 votes of opposition it received, viewing those individuals as strong supporters of mine safety improvement.

"US mining operations have made significant safety improvements and investments to implement the Mine Improvement and Emergency Response (MINER) Act of 2006, and we share the concern expressed by many safety experts that HR 2768 will divert industry and regulatory resources from the important task of fully implementing and assessing the MINER Act," said NMA president Kraig Naasz.

The West Virginia Coal Association weighed in on the situation earlier this week, urging its members and supporters to push their respective Representatives to oppose the proposal.

"[The] bill that would impose new, unnecessary regulations on coal mining operations that will do very little to improve mine safety. Passage of this new legislation could possibly idle or close mines and have unintended, adverse effects on mine safety."

By contrast, however, the United Mine Workers of America called the vote a "tremendous victory" for miners across the nation.

"[It] is a strong first step toward a healthier and safer workplace for tens of thousands of American coal miners. It's now time for the US Senate to step up to the plate and pass this legislation as soon as possible."

A similar bill is pending at the US Senate.

Union president Cecil Roberts continued: "Some argue that this bill is premature, that congressional action should wait until the provisions of the 2006 MINER Act are fully implemented so we can see how they work. That argument is flawed."

He said the MINER Act addressed only what occurs after a safety incident. "There is next to nothing in that legislation that does anything to address keeping incidents from happening in the first place," Roberts said, adding that the S-MINER Act had incorporated those issues.

"Secondly, even after passage of the MINER Act, miners are still dying in our nation's mines - clearly, enough has not been done. I would like those who say we need to wait before we pass any more legislation to meet with the widow of the next miner killed when a conveyor belt catches on fire and tell her why they voted against requiring belts to be non-flammable."

Roberts argued that the House vote reflects a strong backing of support to the coal industry and the President's veto would go against that.

"President Bush has threatened to veto the S-MINER Act. I say, put it on his desk and make him do it. If [Bush] wants to reinforce his administration's record of indifference to the fate of coal miners, a veto will surely do the trick."