Support Our Miners Act
- Sponsor
- Rep. Lee, Summer L. [D-PA-12]
- Committees
- Education and Workforce Committee (primary)
- Last action
- Jun 30, 2026
Bottom line
The bill aims to restore and maintain the purchasing power of black lung benefits for disabled miners and their families by increasing the monthly payment and indexing it to inflation.
What it actually does
This bill, titled the 'Support Our Miners Act,' amends the Black Lung Benefits Act to significantly increase the monthly benefits paid to coal miners suffering from black lung disease, starting in calendar year 2026. It sets a new annual benefit rate of $15,030 for 2026 and mandates that this rate be adjusted annually thereafter based on the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) to account for inflation.
Proponents argue
Supporters argue that the current black lung benefit rates have not kept pace with the cost of living since their establishment in 1969, leading to a substantial erosion of their real value. They contend this bill is essential to provide adequate financial support and dignity to miners disabled by their work, ensuring their healthcare and living expenses can be met.
Opponents contend
Potential opponents might raise concerns about the increased financial burden on the federal budget or the Black Lung Disability Trust Fund, particularly without explicit provisions for additional revenue. They may question the long-term fiscal sustainability of such an increase and automatic indexation, especially given the historical solvency challenges of the Trust Fund.
The bill is exceptionally short and clear, allowing for a quick and thorough understanding of its provisions.
Section 3
Increase and Indexation of Black Lung Benefits
This section amends Section 412(a) of the Black Lung Benefits Act to update how benefits are calculated. For calendar year 2026, it establishes a new annual benefit rate of $15,030, which translates to $1,252.50 per month. Crucially, for 2027 and all subsequent calendar years, the bill mandates that this annual rate be adjusted based on the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W). This ensures that the benefits will automatically increase with inflation, preventing future erosion of purchasing power.
Supporters argue
Supporters argue that this provision is vital to rectify the historical inadequacy of black lung benefits, which have lost nearly 40 percent of their original value due to inflation. They assert that indexing benefits to the CPI-W is a necessary step to ensure that miners, who sacrificed their health for the nation's energy needs, receive fair and stable compensation that keeps pace with the rising cost of living.
Critics contend
Critics might contend that while the intent to support miners is laudable, the substantial increase and automatic indexation of benefits could place an unsustainable strain on the Black Lung Disability Trust Fund or necessitate increased transfers from general Treasury funds, especially without a corresponding increase in the fund's revenue sources.
Tradeoffs
The primary tension lies between providing robust and inflation-adjusted support for disabled miners and ensuring the long-term fiscal solvency of the Black Lung Disability Trust Fund, which is funded by an excise tax on coal. The bill prioritizes miner benefits, potentially increasing pressure on the fund's resources.