A Senate panel has approved $22 million to help address the huge backlog of mine safety cases in the aftermath of the West Virginia explosion that killed 29 miners in April.

The money would be used to hire more judges and lawyers to resolve the backlog of over 16,000 appeals of mine safety violations.  Companies like Massey Energy Co., the owner of the West Virginia mine where the fatal explosion occurred, have been accused of filing appeals of safety citations in order to delay stronger penalties.

The funding increase is part of a supplemental spending bill expected to be passed by Congress this summer.

For the full story, go to the Chicago Tribune.