Pension Fund For Retired Coal Miners Could Shut Down Government

"WASHINGTON -- One coal-state senator has vowed to block a must-pass spending bill to keep the government open unless Congress approves a fix for a pension and health care fund for retired coal miners that faces default by the end of the month.

Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., told reporters Tuesday that a proposal by Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Kentucky, to include a temporary fix in a stopgap spending bill would not be good enough.

'I just want it fixed,' Manchin said.

The United Mine Workers of America health care and pension fund faces insolvency because of a string of coal-industry bankruptcies. Only 10,000 active workers remain to support more than 100,000 retirees, and many of those retired miners and their families depend on the benefits."

Curtis Tate and David Lightman report for the McClatchy Washington Bureau December 6, 2016.