WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) and Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) issued this joint statement about a Patriot Voluntary Employee Beneficial Association (Patriot VEBA) letter notifying beneficiaries it will run out of money on December 31, 2016. The letter was sent to approximately 12,500 coal mine retirees and their dependents, including 5,000 West Virginians, on October 5, 2016:

“It’s no secret that America’s coal communities are suffering, and this letter is just the latest in a string of bad news for our miners. Without the Miner’s Protection Act, the situation for communities in our state and in other coal producing areas will get even worse. Together, we are putting all of our energy behind passing this bipartisan legislation before year’s end. We urge our Senate colleagues to recognize the uncertain futures facing our miners and join our efforts before it’s too late.” 

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