04.28.17

McConnell: Protecting Miners’ Health Care Remains A Top Priority

‘Last year, I fought for a long-term extension of health benefits, and earlier this year, I introduced my own bill to provide a permanent fix for miner’s health care.’

WASHINGTON, D.C. –U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) made the following remarks today on the Senate floor regarding miners’ health care benefits and the short-term continuing resolution: 

“With cooperation from our friends across the aisle, the Senate will pass a short-term continuing resolution before this evening so that members of both parties can continue work on a longer-term solution.  The legislation we should pass today will carry us through next week, so that a bipartisan final agreement can be reached and so that members will have time to review that legislation before we take it up.

“Importantly, this one-week extension will also ensure that thousands of retired coal miners and their families — including many in my home state of Kentucky — will not lose their health care benefits.

“Protecting these miners and their families from losing their health care has been a top priority of mine. Last year, I fought for a long-term extension of health benefits, and earlier this year, I introduced my own bill to provide a permanent fix for miner’s health care.  I will continue to fight on their behalf to secure a permanent solution on this issue in the larger funding bill.”

Related Issues: Coal