H.Res. 167 — Introduced in House

IV 114th CONGRESS 1st Session H. RES. 167 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES March 24, 2015 Mr. Jenkins of West Virginia (for himself, Mr. McKinley, Mr. Mooney of West Virginia, Mr. Griffith, and Mr. Rogers of Kentucky) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Education and the Workforce RESOLUTION Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that the committees of jurisdiction in the House of Representatives should craft replacement language for the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act that includes the amendments made to the Black Lung Benefits Act. Whereas men and women who spend their lives mining coal deserve the black lung benefits afforded them through the Black Lung Benefits Act; Whereas these critical benefits are important for thousands of men and women across the United States; Whereas since 1969, black lung benefits have been guaranteed by the Federal Government and have provided assistance for miners and their widows; Whereas in 1981, the Black Lung Benefits Act was amended tightening eligibility requirements and eliminating two provisions regarding coal miners’ and survivors’ entitlement benefits; Whereas the Black Lung Benefits Act was restored and amended into the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, providing equity for certain eligible survivors; Whereas the House of Representatives passed a repeal of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act on February 3, 2015, instructing committees of jurisdiction to craft replacement language; and Whereas current black lung benefits should not be reduced but should be preserved and protected: Now, therefore, be it That it is the sense of the House of Representatives that the committees of jurisdiction in the House of Representatives should craft replacement language for the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act that includes the amendments that restored the Black Lung Benefits Act.