WASHINGTON — Dozens of retired miners, some in wheelchairs and using oxygen tanks to manage black lung disease, recently visited the Capitol seeking federal help for their failing pension plans.
Members of the United Mine Workers of America bow their heads in prayer during a rally on Capitol Hill Sept. 8, 2016. The union and its supporters in Congress say the federal government should honor a 1947 promise to provide for the pension and healthcare benefits of retired miners.At issue is the Miners Pension Protection Act, legislation that would transfer public funding into the miners’ troubled pension fund in order to guarantee their pensions and health care.
Manchin’s office says Trump has been privately supportive of the miners, yet the president has said nothing publicly to pressure McConnell to act. While McConnell has sought a broader fix to shore up the federally chartered Pension Benefit Guaranty Corp., the miners have said they don’t have time to wait for it.
Other mining executives have reaped millions in retention bonuses as their companies undergo the bankruptcy and restructuring process. “Coal miners make up the coal industry. Coal miners, and the coal mining industry, have been, and are continuing to be helped by the Trump administration,” the spokesperson said.The state of coal country illustrates how Trump’s 2016 mantra of “draining the swamp” in Washington has, in many cases, yielded the opposite — windfalls for donors and lobbyists.
What a joke, the democrat party wants the entire coal industry out of business. Now they think that they are going to save the worker from the evil republicans. Bull, if democrats get back in power you can be sure that the coal industry will be put to death for good.
The democrats are to blame for the coal industry's demise. They at every turn work to put them out of business pushing for their versions of the Green New Deal.
Well they voted for the lying sack of shit so they get what they deserve
How about just fulfill promise of lifelong healthcare?!!!
MeetThePress in 2015 US coal mines had 65,971 employees, the lowest figure since EIA began collecting data in 1978.[15] However, a 2016 study reported that a relatively minor investment would allow most coal workers to retrain for the solar energy industry.[16]
MeetThePress Trump should ride down in a three mile mine...and not come up again .
Trump told Americans what they wanted to hear in 2016. Sad some are still catching up with reality
Duh !
All of his properties use coal for their energy needs. Coal fired heat, AC, lights, planes, golf carts, vibrating beds, cell phone, and even his burder grille!
Did the workers in Kentucky get paid? Or are they at the 4 to 6 week mark blocking transport by sitting on the train tracks so they can get their money? I'm sure they need to pay bills, eat, ... Last I heard BernieSanders was heading out there...
Is anyone surprised by this conman’s lack of deliverables ?
Who saw this coming? Right.... everyone who voted against trump.
I realize that 'science' is a dirty word for Trump. However I keep thinking that funding research might lead to some use for coal other than burning. A cheap method of converting coal to graphene would be worth a few trillion.
Who cares we're still voting for Trump Maybe this'll help Trump could sho someone in the middle of 5th Ave and were still voting for him Got it! And don't think we're nuts. We're Not. But YOU ARE. And we can't ever allow real nuts (the left) to ever gain power again EVER!
Trump sucked $2.5 million of campaign contributions from the area, money that should be put back in the coal miners Pension Plan.
ROTFLMFAO your such LIARS!
Poor coal miners. We tried to tell em.
Says NBC in their own twisted way. Spin city.
You think coal miners struggle now if a Progressive Socialist Liberal Democrat gets elected say bye bye.
Of course.
The only coal Trump is going to get his in a stocking
Anyone that believes trump on his promises deserves what they get! Trump all talk no action! Can't remember what he said from one day to the next !!
Then he won’t get the miners vote. One group less for Dems to worry about.
Hmm... I thought he was creating new jobs in the field in the coal washing machine business? I thought we were going to finally get clean coal! 😳🤣
The MAGA crowd begs to differ. Even as they are laid off enmasse and they lose their food stamps and medical insurance, they will still praise him for his talks. Not action. They hear what they want to hear and they believe it will come true. Even if it doesn’t. Because...
BareFootDave1 He’ll go do rallies in West Virginia and they’ll cheer as coal dies.
Mine owners are President Trump’s fifth biggest source of individual/family contributors, directing at least $6.1M toward joint fundraising committees, his inauguration, and related super PACs, according to an review. (2/7)
Sorry coal miners, like thousands of others you've been played.
We must nationalize the coal industry and save our brave miners from the diabolical efforts of evil capitalist oppressors who exploit them like wage slaves to the infernal war mongering tyranny of international stateless zionism.
Seriously do you really think an industry built on people digging holes is going to thrive? NO-even if it does somehow come back,, it will be heavily automated, meaning that there are going to be fewer bodies and more machines.
Coal is not the fuel of the future. It’s dirty to burn and miners die in the tunnels.
🤮🤮🤮🤮🤮
We tried to tell them
They voted for the liar,now see if they will do it again,maybe they will believe the draft dodger the second time around,hope not,but if the do,nobody will have any pity for them, 2nd time around.
How's that drainey-swampey thing working out for you
Keep pushing how you want the economy to fail. So selfish and sad.
I’m past the point of feeling sorry for any union member that votes republican. You voted for Trump and lost your pension? You got what you deserved, and I hope it keeps happening until you wake up.
In old age with lung disease & pensions are gone. It will be to late to regret.
Coal is a dead and truly pathetic issue to very few at this point, it's never coming back and will continue to die a slow and dirty death. Good riddance.
Democrats want to destroy these people
Turn coal into carbon fiber and carbon nanotubes
Maybe they will see he doesn't give a damn about them...
Miners continue to be left out while mine owners continue to fatten their pockets. This is NOT breaking news. States need to help with securing pension payouts, but they also need to offer a sustainable alternative work solution for these hard workers. Stop repeating this madness
“Industry struggles” ... hahahahahahaha.
Struggles under Trump? They would be closed if New Dems get their way.