Congress·In Committee·S. 3505

Relief for Survivors of Miners Act of 2025

Congress aims to ease black lung survivor benefits and cover some legal, medical case costs

Dec 16, 2025·View on Congress.gov·Read full text

This bill is one vehicle in a longer effort. See the full story across every version.View effort →

Next up: A senate committeeNo action in 7 months

A senate committee must act next: committee consideration.

Legislative Progress

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How we got here

This bill’s path across every version that has carried it.

Reintroduced
Reintroduced from S. 2416 (118th), which died when its Congress ended.
S. 2416 (118th) →

Key Points

Makes it easier for a miner’s family to prove the death was linked to black lung, especially when the miner worked at least 10 years in coal mining.
Adds a new rule: if the miner was totally disabled by black lung while alive, the death is generally presumed to be from black lung unless proven otherwise.
Applies the new rules to some recent claims too: claims filed within 5 years before the law takes effect, as long as they’re still pending.
Creates a Labor Department program to pay some legal fees and medical evidence costs for long-running contested cases, so families aren’t stuck paying up front.
Orders an independent government review of interim payments and benefit levels, including whether taking money back after a denial harms families and taxpayers.

Labor EmploymentHealthcareConsumer Protection

Impact Analysis

Govbase has not yet run an impact analysis on this legislation.

Milestones

2 milestones2 actions

Dec 16, 2025Senate

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

Sent to a congressional committee for expert review. The committee decides whether this bill moves forward.

Dec 16, 2025

Introduced in Senate

The bill was officially filed and given a number. It now enters the legislative queue.

Related News

4 articles

Appalachian Citizens’ Law Center·Dec 17, 2025

Congress introduces two bills to help coal miners access black lung benefits

Explains the Relief for Survivors of Miners Act (“Widows’ Bill”) and the companion Black Lung Benefits Improvement Act, including shifting burden to coal operators and helping families with contested cases.

Center Left

Office of Rep. Morgan McGarvey (press release)·Dec 16, 2025

McGarvey and Warner Introduce Bill to Support Families of Mine Workers Who Died of Black Lung Disease

Announcement of the Relief for Survivors of Miners Act; describes easing proof requirements for survivors and reducing legal/financial burdens in black lung claims.

Center Left