Senate Democrats, in Push for Coal Miners Benefits, Try to Block Spending Bill

[mahatmakanejeeves]

Source: The Wall Street Journal.

Senate Democrats, in Push for Coal Miners Benefits, Try to Block Spending Bill

Sen. Joe Manchin of West Virginia leads uprising against short-term bill to keep government funded though April 28

By Kristina Peterson and Kris Maher

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http://twitter.com/kristinapet

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http://twitter.com/Kris_Maher

Updated Dec. 9, 2016 2:23 p.m. ET

WASHINGTONSenate Democrats led an uprising against a short-term spending bill Friday, demanding more certainty for coal miners slated to lose their health-care benefits later this month and pushing Congress up against the midnight expiration of the governments current funding.

Democrats still smarting from the defection of the white-working class in last months election sought to align themselves with blue-collar workers and drive a wedge between GOP leaders and President-elect Donald Trumps appeals to the industrial belt.

In a charge spearheaded by Sen. Joe Manchin of West Virginia, centrist Democrats worked on Friday to muscle enough opposition to block the short-term spending bill that would keep the government running through April 28 after its current funding ends at 12:01 a.m. Saturday. ... They are pushing to find a fix that is longer than the bills four-month extension of coal miners health-care benefits, which are slated to run out for more than 16,000 miners at months end.

That is not only a nonstarter, that is inhumane, said Mr. Manchin, who is under consideration by Mr. Trumps transition officials as a possible secretary of state or energy secretary. Mr. Manchin, who is up for re-election in 2018, is scheduled to meet with Mr. Trump on Monday.

Read more: http://www.wsj.com/articles/senate-democrats-in-push-for-coal-miners-benefits-try-to-block-spending-bill-1481308845

[Missn-Hitch]

1. Yes, let's save the miners. Let the orange menace save them.

Democrats should pick their battles wisely. These miners will be fighting his impeachment in 3 months. Waste of effing time.

[Dan]

2. I hate to say this

But I would bet most of them voted for the Orange POS.

Sometimes you have to let people get a good ass-whipping before they can learn anything.

Let the GOP put this asswhipping on them, and then that asswhipping will open up their minds.

Until that asswhipping, they will not learn.

[yallerdawg]

3. Right now Elizabeth Warren is on the Senate floor.

She said the Senate should not leave until they made good on their promise to the coal miners.

Manchin at quarter after.

[yallerdawg]

6. Great.

When we become just like "them" they really have won.

This is a healthcare issue. Abandon that?

These are Democratic representatives. Abandon them?