Armstrong Leaves Coal Miners in the Dark

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Armstrong leaving coal miners in the dark

(Bismarck, ND)- Last month U.S. House Democrats Rep. Bobby Scott of Virginia and Frederica Wilson of Florida introduced a bipartisan bill that would ensure retired miners do not lose their health care. HR 934 is similar to a bill Congress passed with bipartisan support in 2017 that preserved the health-insurance benefits of retirees and widows when Patriot Coal filed for bankruptcy.

With news that retired employees of Westmoreland’s lignite coal fighting for their pensions and health care benefits, you would think Congressman Kelly Armstrong would readily sign on to this bill.

Unfortunately, Congressman Kelly Armstrong is too busy voting to cut military projects in North Dakota to care. Despite bipartisan support in the House, Congressman Armstrong refuses to support HR 934.

“Retired coal miners are literally going broke trying to stay alive, and Congressman Armstrong’s indifference to their struggle proves that he is not a leader fit to represent the people of North Dakota” said Alison Jones, Communications Director for the North Dakota Democratic-NPL. “Armstrong’s unwillingness to support a bill that will help our state’s coal miners is insulting to all North Dakotans, especially those who quite literally worked their lives away in the coal mines.”