Murray said he worked in underground mines and is entitled to benefits. He disputed that he fought against regulations to quell the disease or fought against miners receiving benefits.

The Trump administration set about weakening or scrapping a slew of environmental rules that bound the industry. But there are about 5,000 fewer miners than when Trump took office.

The Senate Environmental Resources and Energy committee on Tuesday invited regulators, industry representatives, and environmental advocates to talk about the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative.