Shutdown threat eases as Democrats signal retreat on miners’ aid

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 battle of coal-state Democrats who demanded a one-year extension for the miners rather than the shorter, fourmonth fix in the spending bill. Faced with Republicans unwilling to agree to the robust coverage and the departure of House lawmakers, the Democrats relented.

Manchin acknowledged Friday night that he probably did not have the votes to block the bill, but said “the fight will continue” next year.

“I’m born into a family of coal miners. If I’m not going to stand up for them, who is?” he asked reporters.

Speaking on the Senate floor earlier, Manchin stressed the importance of coal as an energy source for Americans and the contributions of miners to the nation. “What 12 hours of the day do you not want electricity? … Heat?” he asked as miners watching from the Senate’s visitors’ galleries.

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 to buy time for the incoming Trump administration and Congress to wrap up more than $1 trillion in unfinished agency budget work. It also provides war funding, disaster aid for Louisiana and other states, and an expedited process for considering Trump’s nominee for defense secretary, retired Gen. James Mattis.

Coal-state Democrats had pressed Trump, a self-proclaimed coal supporter, to intervene with Republicans. Manchin, mentioned as possible candidate for energy secretary or secretary of state in the new administration, will meet with Trump Monday and said he will raise the coal miners’ issue.

“I’m sure that will be part of the conversation,” Manchin told reporters. “He won every coal area in America.”