WASHINGTON — The House has rejected a bill that would have adopted sweeping changes to rules about mine safety. The legislation was prompted by the deadly explosion in April that killed 29 West Virginia coal miners.

The measure would have made it easier to shut down problem mines, increased penalties for serious safety violations and offered more protection for whistle-blowers.

Democrats brought up the bill under a special procedure in which debate was limited and no amendments were allowed. That procedure requires a two-thirds majority to pass. The vote was 214-193 in favor of passage, short of the two-thirds needed.

Republicans say the bill is too punitive and call it premature because investigators are still looking into the Upper Big Branch disaster.