washington u.s. senate majority leader mitch mcconnell tuesday say push extend expire healthcare benefit retire coal miners include provision spend bill congress hop pass week statement senate floor mcconnell republican kentucky say conversations house representatives speaker paul ryan insist continue resolution include provision address issue retire lose healthcare benefit end year fate unite mine workers health care pension fund air congress weigh legislation provide financial support soon-expiring benefit risk default coal company grapple bankruptcies although senate finance committee september pass bill provide fund benefit senior lawmakers look ways include provision spend bill pass exist government fund expire dec. 9. democratic senators coal-producing state bob casey pennsylvania sherrod brown ohio mark warner virginia joe manchin west virginia say would block must-pass legislation congress take action so-called miners protection act go 16,500 retire miners lose healthcare benefit another 4,000 first next year say manchin senate floor tuesday fight people promise believe power nation give us country turn back manchin say manchin due meet president-elect donald trump late week discuss potential role republican cabinet trump repeatedly promise campaign trail put coal miners back work spokesperson respond request comment trump view protect miners pension health care benefit grassroots group kentuckians commonwealth plan deliver 10,000 signature petition mcconnell tuesday call pass miners protection act well reclaim bill would offer financial support help coal communities diversify economies congress leave recess senate leader push extension coal miner healthcare