WASHINGTON, DC -- U.S. Rep. Harold "Hal" Rogers (KY-05) released the following statement after Congress passed a short-term Continuing Resolution (CR) (H.J. Res. 99) to avoid a government shutdown and extend health benefits for retired coal miners and their beneficiaries. 

"We are just days away from finalizing a comprehensive package to fund federal government operations for the rest of fiscal year 2017, and this extension will allow us to ensure taxpayer dollars are spent wisely. The bill also extends the critical health benefits for our retired coal miners and their widows while we work toward a more permanent fix. It's our retired coal miners who powered this Nation for generations and we aren't going to let them down on their health care needs."

The CR extends funding through May 5, 2017 and maintains the federal budget cap level of $1.07 trillion.