Bluefield Daily Telegraph: Jenkins introduces black lung benefits bill

WASHINGTON – U.S. Rep. Evan Jenkins , R-W.Va., introduced his first piece of legislation Tuesday as a member of Congress, a resolution to protect black lung benefits.

During his first floor speech, Jenkins said Congress must reaffirm its commitment to providing for miners should they contract black lung disease.

View a copy of the black lung bill here:

“Since 1973, miners have known that if they get black lung, the federal government will be there and stand up for them,” Jenkins said. “More than 100,000 miners from West Virginia have filed for black lung benefits. And today, almost 5,000 miners and their families depend on these benefits for care for their families when they are no longer able to work. Congress must uphold, protect and secure these crucial benefits for our hardworking miners and their families,”

The legislation is co-sponsored U.S. Rep. Morgan Griffith, R-Va., U.S. Rep. David McKinley , R-W.Va., U.S. Rep. Alex Mooney, R-W.Va. and House Appropriations Chairman Hal Rogers, R-Ky.

“As we in Congress work on health care reform, we must remember the miners who toil above ground and underground to power our nation,” Jenkins said. “Any reforms must secure the black lung benefits program and ensure that these critical benefits will be available for our miners and their families.”