June 27, 2019

Manchin Condemns Mitch McConnell For Blocking Votes On Miners Healthcare And Pensions

Washington, D.C. – Today U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) condemned Mitch McConnell for blocking a vote on his amendment to secure coal miners’ healthcare and pensions.

“I appreciate that we are voting on the NDAA to ensure funding for our military, but there are amendments that benefit Americans and West Virginians that are being blocked by one person: Mitch McConnell. He is the sole person that is blocking a vote on my amendment to the NDAA that would secure coal miners’ healthcare and pensions, even though it has bipartisan support and would better the lives of every West Virginian, Kentuckian and American. The American Miners Act has to be attached to a must-pass bill like the NDAA, because Mitch McConnell has turned the Senate into a dysfunctional and unproductive body that no longer practices regular order.

“While I don’t understand Mitch McConnell’s motives or why he refused a vote on my amendment, I voted for the NDAA to ensure that our military receives the funding they need to keep our country safe. However, our coal miners are running out of time and I refuse to play Mitch McConnell’s political games with their lives.”