Congressmen Doyle and Jenkins Introduce Bill to Help Dislocated Coal Miners

Statement

U.S. Representatives Mike Doyle (D-PA) and Evan Jenkins (R-WV) introduced legislation today that would provide new retraining opportunities for dislocated coal miners.

"Through no fault of their own, thousands of coal miners have lost their jobs recently," Congressman Doyle observed. "This shock has devastated whole communities in Pennsylvania and West Virginia, not just the laid-off coal miners and their families.

"Pittsburgh experienced similar economic disruption and suffering when we lost thousands of steel-making jobs in the 1970s and "80s, so I know what they're going through -- and my heart goes out to them," Congressman Doyle added. "Moreover, I know from experience that the best way to help folks who have lost their jobs is to help them get new ones. That's why I've joined Representative Jenkins in introducing the Assisting America's Dislocated Miners Act."

This legislation, the Assisting America's Dislocated Miners Act, would establish a Dislocated Miners Assistance Program at the U.S. Labor Department to identify dislocated miners, assess their skills and training, identify job training programs, and provide grants to job training providers. The bill would also authorize $20 million a year for five years to fund the Dislocated Miners Assistance Program.

"While we fight to restore our coal jobs, we must also provide for the miners who are out of work and for their families. My bill, the Assisting America's Dislocated Miners Act, will help us provide retraining opportunities for more unemployed miners and get them back to work in good-paying and stable jobs," Rep. Jenkins said. "By providing coal miners the opportunity to retrain and learn new trades, we can revitalize our coal communities. I want to thank Rep. Doyle for his support of this legislation, which gives families hope and the promise of a paycheck, not an unemployment check."

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