The negative health and environmental impacts of our nation’s continued reliance on coal as a fuel source for power plants appropriately receives significant attention in the media and in public policy debates. However, the health consequences for those working in underground coal mines have received much less attention.

Some conservative members of the Senate and House of Representatives introduced legislation this week bent on abolishing the 44-year-old health foundation for the Clean Air Act and eliminating Americans' right to breathe safe air. Senator John Thune (R-SD) co-sponsored the Senate bill with Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) and others. Representatives Pete Olson (R-TX) and Bob Latta (R-OH) co-sponsored the House bill.

Federal workers help tens of thousands of people across the country, not just in their everyday work but with their generosity. In 1964, the first Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) was launched as an experiment. It raised $12.9 million dollars for charity (that’s $99 million in 2014 dollars). Today, 50 years after that experiment, the CFC raises a staggering $282.6 million for nonprofit organizations, allowing federal workers' payroll contributions to change lives and transform communities, throughout the U.S. and around the world.

With only a few workdays remaining in the current congressional session, House leaders have yet to address many important proposals. However, instead of focusing on the nation’s top priorities, the House majority plans to press ahead with its anti-regulatory, pro-industry agenda.