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Read. Follow. Verify.Congressional Hearing: Oversight of the Black Lung Disability Trust Fund
Record date · January 1, 2022
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What This Bill Does
The House held a hearing on February 26, 2020, to examine allegations that the Department of Labor failed to properly oversee the . The hearing featured testimony from the Government Accountability Office and the Department of Labor regarding the management of the fund.
This hearing investigates the management of a federal fund that provides medical and disability benefits to coal miners suffering from black lung disease, directly impacting the financial stability and service delivery for affected miners.
Who It Affects
Groups the bill's text affects, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.
Coal miners with black lung disease
These individuals rely on the Black Lung Disability Trust Fund for medical and disability benefits.
U.S. Department of Labor
The agency is the subject of oversight regarding its management of the fund.
Key Facts
- The hearing was held on February 26, 2020, by the Subcommittee on Workforce Protections.
- The hearing title, 'Asleep at the Switch,' reflects the subcommittee's focus on alleged failures in Department of Labor oversight of the Black Lung Disability Trust Fund.
- Witnesses included representatives from the U.S. Government Accountability Office and the U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Workers' Compensation Programs.
- The subcommittee established a quorum to conduct official business.
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- Additional members from outside the subcommittee were permitted to participate in questioning after subcommittee members.
- The hearing record includes prepared statements from the Chair, Ranking Member, and witnesses.
- The record includes follow-up questions submitted for the record by Chairwoman Adams and responses from the GAO.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the purpose of the Black Lung Disability Trust Fund?
Who was responsible for overseeing the fund according to the hearing?
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News Coverage
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Votes, people, money & the original sourceFull breakdown
Who this bill affects and the strongest case for and against it, written only from the bill’s own text.
Discoveries
Patterns POLISCOPE noticed across the record. These are observations to investigate, not conclusions.
Congressional Oversight Focus
The hearing demonstrates a shift toward increased legislative scrutiny of administrative oversight within the Department of Labor regarding disability funds.
Connected Entities
Sources
www.govinfo.gov
Analysis Score
0–100- Significance75How much this matters to a regular citizen
- Controversy60Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
- Entertainment20Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
- Buzz15Current news / social attention level
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