"Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) said Tuesday that he wants a long-term fix for miners’ healthcare benefits in the next government funding bill, moving Congress closer to a deal on the issue.

'I’m in favor of a permanent fix on miners’ healthcare. It’s my hope that that will be included in the final package,' McConnell told reporters Tuesday after meeting with the GOP caucus.

The question of what to do about the government-backed healthcare benefits for coal miners has complicated congressional spending debates in the past.

McConnell’s endorsement is significant because he had previously supported temporary fixes but never backed a long-term legislative solution."

Timothy Cama, Devin Henry, and Jordain Carney report for The Hill April 25, 2017. [2]