On the recordDecember 6, 2016
reserving the right to object, this legislation sounds pretty good. It is bipartisan, but I also know that in my State there are more than 1,000 retired mine workers and their widows. We know that people who have worked in the mines for 30, 35, or 40 years are more likely to be sick and die younger. These 1,000-plus mine workers have been denied their pensions. Their pensions and health care have been threatened. Many of them are widows of mine workers. Yet, we have bipartisan support. It passed out of the Finance Committee 16 to 8, and Senator McConnell--one person in this body--has blocked the mine workers pension and health care legislation for weeks and weeks and months and months. I would be very happy to support and help Senator Gardner in this legislation, the American Innovation and Competitiveness Act. I hope he will speak to the Republican leader and ask him to do the right thing to help these pensioners, widows, and mine workers whose pensions are threatened and whose health care is about to be cut off. Mr. President, I object. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Objection is heard. The Senator from Colorado.
