Manchin: Trump supports health care for coal miners
WASHINGTON — A national lawmaker from West Virginia said the president of the United States is supporting efforts to supply retired coal miners with health care coverage.
U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., spoke with reporters from around the state Wednesday by phone about efforts to extend health benefits to retired coal miners and family members whose coverage is set to expire on Sunday and lawmakers formulating legislation to prevent a government shutdown by the weekend.
Manchin said he has talked with President Donald Trump two days in a row about extending health benefits to retired miners.
Plans in the works have the support of Senate Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., and appears to be moving forward along with the support of Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., Manchin said.
In his conversations, Manchin said Trump was supportive of the work being done. The two also talked about the amount of support the president received from the Mountain State during the election and their continuing support, Manchin said.
“This is time we can make it happen,” Manchin said. “This is something we cannot accept to kick the can down the road again. I am cautiously hopeful. It is not done until it is done.”
Late last year, Congress approved a bill to keep benefits going until the end of April as part of a temporary continuing measure.
Manchin has been pushing for a more permanent solution for the health care needs of miners and maintaining pensions.
The senator was still disappointed that a permanent solution has not been found to address the health and pension concerns, which he said would cost around $1.3 billion. The House of Representatives has been slow in considering it, Manchin said.
Later, Manchin participated in a press conference hosted by the United Mine Workers of America calling for a permanent health care fix in government funding legislation.
“We would not be at this point today if it weren’t for the retired miners and their widows who have come to Capitol Hill, talked with their representatives, made phone calls and written letters,” he said. “It’s because of their hard work that we are so close to securing a permanent health care fix and I thank them for dedicating their time and energy.
“This is not a partisan issue; we’re on the same team here and we’re fighting for what’s right,” Manchin said.
Manchin said time and time again, coal miners have given the country the energy to build the strongest and greatest country on earth.
“All they are asking for is what they have earned and what they have paid for,” Manchin said. “The last two days I have spoken to President Trump about finding a permanent fix twice. He called me this morning to reiterate he is with us, he is behind us, and that he is going to do everything he can to get this fixed.
“We are not accepting another inhumane extension; we are only accepting a permanent fix for health care now and a commitment to redoubling our efforts to secure a permanent fix for their pensions,” Manchin said.
Manchin believes Congress will end up passing another “Continuing Resolution” this week to prevent a government shutdown. Manchin said lawmakers had to act on something by Friday.
“It always seems to come down to this deadline,” Manchin said.
Work has been happening on a more permanent spending bill, but the senator did not think it would get done by the Friday deadline, thus the continuing resolution. However, Manchin said negotiations are continuing.
“The extention this week will keep a shutdown from happening,” he said.