Congress should make good on debts to coal country. Now.

Congress should renew a tax on coal companies that supports medical treatment for miners disabled by black lung and expires at the end of this year. A vicious resurgence of the incurable disease gives lawmakers little choice.

Renewing the tax now would accomplish a dual purpose by clearing the way to return $1 billion to coal-mining regions where the money is already owed, via the RECLAIM Act sponsored by Rep. Hal Rogers of Kentucky.