Asbestos Bill Up For Debate
Article Added February 7th, 2006 - Print This Story - Bookmark This Story
The bill that proposes a trust fund for asbestos victims has cleared it’s first hurdle. Democratic Senate leader Harry Reid removed his objection to debating the bill, clearing the path for the next stage.
The measure passed with 98-1 votes from the Senate, moving the bill to it’s first ever debate, which will likely take place over the next few weeks. One Senator did not vote, and Senator James Inhofe of Oklahoma cast the only vote against the bill. Though Reid withdrew his objection to the debate, he still plans to oppose the bill itself as does a campaign funded by trial lawyers and other private citizens. The attention should now shift to the shortcomings of the bill itself, a debate that Reid is looking forward too considering he feels that this is one of the worst bills he has ever seen come to the Senate floor.
The bill’s sponsor, Arlen Specter, feels that this is the last speed bump in the approval of the bill. Republicans were convinced that the withdraw of Reid’s opposition signaled approval for the bill, a thought process that could lead to the bill being denied. Reid, and those that are against the bill, are afraid that the measure would lead to taxpayers having to pay for frivolous claims and that the cases would then end up in court anyways, potentially causing multiple lawsuits against a business by the same person.
Article Added February 7th, 2006 - Print This Story - Bookmark This Story
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