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US House passes $1.4 trillion package, which includes miner benefits funding

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The U.S. House of Representatives on Tuesday approved a $1.4 trillion spending package that includes funding for coal miners’ pensions and health care as well as multiple policy changes.

The House voted 297-120 for funding domestic programs and 280-138 for funding security efforts.

The first measure dedicates funding for the health care benefits of 13,000 coal miners and pensions of 92,000 others. West Virginia Sens. Joe Manchin and Shelley Moore Capito pushed the funding as part of the Bipartisan American Miners Act.

All three of West Virginia’s House members — Reps. David McKinley, Alex Mooney and Carol Miller — voted in favor of this legislation.

Mooney opposed the second bill, telling MetroNews it will add $321.5 billion to the national debt.

The second measure also sets aside funding for a wall on the U.S.-Mexico border wall.

The package includes $25 million for research into gun violence and a 3.1% pay raise for federal civilian employees.

The package additionally increases the nationwide legal age to purchase tobacco products from 18 to 21 and repeals three taxes that would offset $400 billion to Obamacare over 10 years.

The Senate is set to approve the deal. The deadline for lawmakers to pass a package and avert a government shutdown is Friday.





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