Usery v. Turner Elkhorn Mining Co.

Twenty-two coal mine operators (Operators) brought this suit to test the constitutionality of certain aspects of Title IY of the Federal Coal Mine Health and Safety Act of 1969, 83 Stat. 792, as amended by the Black Lung Benefits Act of 1972, 86 Stat. 150, 30 U. S. C. § 901 et seq. (1970 ed. and Supp. IV). The Operators, potentially liable under the amended Act to compensate certain miners, former miners, and their survivors for death or total disability due to pneumoconiosis arising out of employment in coal mines, sought declaratory and in-junctive relief against the Secretary of Labor and…