Coal Miners’ Benefits in Crisis | Lexington News

Lexington News Today | 2 Min News | The Daily News Now! · Jul 2, 2026 · 1m

Coal miners battling black lung are getting a lifeline in Congress — lawmakers have introduced the Support Our Miners Act to restore disability payments frozen for over 50 years, bringing them back to their original intent and adjusting for inflation. With current payouts below the poverty line and failing to cover basic living costs, this bill could mean the difference between survival and destitution for families in coal country. Yet, despite the urgency, West Virginia — the hardest-hit state — is notably absent from the co-sponsor list, even as former Senator Joe Manchin has long…