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Shutdown threat eases as Democrats signal retreat on miners' aid

 
Published Dec. 10, 2016

WASHINGTON — The Senate headed to a vote averting a government shutdown at midnight Friday as coal-state Democrats beat a tactical retreat and promised to continue their fight next year for months-long health care benefits for retired miners.

"We had no intention of shutting down the government," said Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., adding that Democrats would provide enough votes to pass a stopgap spending bill to keep the government operating through April 28.

The extended fight over the miners' benefits was intended to "highlight the seriousness of this issue," Schumer said.

Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., led the fight of coal-state Democrats who demanded a one-year extension for the miners rather than the shorter, four-month fix in the spending bill. Faced with Republicans unwilling to agree to the robust coverage and the departure of the House lawmakers, the Democrats relented.

But not without several speeches, with miners watching from the Senate's visitors' galleries.

Speaking on the Senate floor, Manchin stressed the importance of coal as an energy source and the contributions of miners. "What 12 hours of the day do you not want electricity? … Heat?" he asked.

The high-stakes fight gave Democrats, who suffered devastating election losses a month ago at the hands of working-class voters, a chance to cast themselves and not the GOP as the champion of the common man. Manchin was joined by other coal-state Democrats from states Donald Trump won last month, including Pennsylvania and Ohio.

"We're just getting warmed up," said Sen. Bob Casey, D-Pa., vowing a fight next year. "These miners and their families kept their promise, put their lives at risk. … It's not too difficult for a senator or House member to keep a promise."

The Senate was on track to vote late Friday night, just two hours before the deadline, to send the spending bill to President Barack Obama.

The underlying funding bill would keep the government running through April 28.