Rahall blasts black lung measure

HUNTINGTON - Rep. Nick Rahall says he will fight Republican-backedlegislation that he says threatens compensation for black lungvictims.

The provision, included in a bill which authorizes the LaborDepartment's 1998-99 appropriations, is aimed at blocking a newregulation that would limit the number of medical examinations forminers seeking benefits.

It "constitutes a vicious assault on black lung victims," Rahall,D-W.Va., said in remarks made Friday on the floor of the House ofRepresentatives."There is simply no need for this provision, except as a delayingtactic aimed at killing this …