Political Quotes

“I am submitting an amendment to S. 1773, the Black Lung Benefits Restoration Act for the information and consideration of my colleagues. The amendment would pay for the cost of the Black Lung Benefits Restoration Act by modestly increasing the black lung coal tax by 5.5 percent. This translates into an increase of $.06 per ton of coal for underground mines and $.03 per ton of coal for surface mines and an increase of the percentage tax for which the coal was sold to 4.64 percent. A separate account would be established within the black lung disability trust fund for the payment of benefits that are payable by reason of the Black Lung Benefits Restoration Act. As my colleagues know, the current black lung coal tax is $1.10 per ton of coal for underground mines or 4.4 percent of the price for which the coal was sold, whichever is less--and $.55 per ton of coal for surface mines or 4.4 percent of the price for which the coal was sold, whichever is less. With this amendment, the legislation will comply with the pay-go rules.”