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February 7, 2000
ROCKEFELLER SAYS CLINTON BUDGET FOLLOWS THROUGH ON PROMISE TO PROTECT COALMINER BENEFITS
WASHINGTON, D.C. —After President Clinton issued his budget today, U.S. Senator Jay Rockefeller (D-WV) applauded the Administration's inclusion of significant funding to protect health benefits for retired coalminers. Rockefeller issued the following statement:
"It is very satisfying to see that the budget includes $346 million for one of my top priorities — securing health benefits for retired coalminers. This budget provision demonstrates the Administration's rock solid commitment to protecting retired miners' benefits. If approved by Congress, the funding will be mandatory spending and guaranteed for the next ten years.
"More than a half century ago, coalminers were promised lifetime health benefits by the companies they worked for and by the federal government. The Administration has done their part to keep the promise, and I am now going to aggressively push Congress to approve this funding. It is important that we take action this year to secure the health benefit fund for the long term."
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