Press Release
 

Asbestos Victims Applaud Congress's Action

Fair Legislation Is Still Goal

WASHINGTON D.C. — An asbestos victims' group today commended the U.S. Senate for voting to sustain Senator John Ensign's (R-NV) budget point of order against S.852, the so-called FAIR Act. Ensign's amendment addressed the concerns of many Senators who were worried that the bill's funding mechanism would add to the federal deficit.

In praising the vote, Committtee Chair Susan Vento said, "This vote demonstrates the bipartisan concern that has evolved about the trust fund approach. This bill wasn't good for small businesses, it wasn't fair to victims, and now the Senate has confirmed that it wasn't good for the American taxpayer either."

Noting that this has been a three-year long battle, Vento said, "Forcing this bill to the floor exposed many of the flaws that we have been talking about all along. I think most would agree that the trust fund concept, while well intentioned, just won't work."

Vento also said that she was encouraged by the level of support that Senator John Cornyn's (R-TX) medical criteria amendment received. "Twenty seven Republican Senators supported the medical criteria amendment, which tells me that there is still hope for meaningful asbestos reform in the United States Senate," said Vento.

The group will continue their outreach to ensure that fair and appropriate legislation is introduced that will correctly resolve the current asbestos litigation crisis.

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The Committee to Protect Mesothelioma Victims (CPMV) is an organization founded by asbestos victims and their families and friends. CPMV works to raise awareness on national asbestos issues and ensure that victims' rights are properly represented and protected on both a local and national level. For more information, www.asbestostruth.org.