The head of Massey Energy Co. can expect tough questions from lawmakers as he testifies for the first time since a blast at the company's Upper Big Branch mine killed 29 workers.

Don Blankenship was to appear Thursday at a Senate subcommittee hearing examining how spending more federal money could improve mine safety and enforcement.

Blankenship has faced a wave of criticism since the accident in West Virginia last month — the nation's worst coal mining disaster in 40 years. Lawmakers have accused the company of putting profits before safety, and the FBI has opened a criminal investigation.

Blankenship has defended Massey's safety record.