Washington–Senate Majority Leader William Frist, R-Tenn., said today that he is not sure that the Senate will be able to take up the asbestos litigation reform bill before its Independence Day break.
Mr. Frist joked about a comment made by Minority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., on Monday in which the Democratic leader compared wanting the asbestos bill on the Senate floor to wanting a heart attack. Sen. Frist, a cardiac surgeon, joked that he would make sure Sen. Reid was resuscitated.
In a most serious tone, however, Sen. Frist said that the asbestos issue "calls out" for reform and that it was something he cares "passionately" about.
The Senate Judiciary Committee gave its approval to the asbestos litigation reform bill, which is known as S. 852, shortly before Congress adjourned for the Memorial Day holiday.
The bill, which has been championed by Judiciary Chairman Arlen Specter, R-Penn., would establish a trust fund for victims of asbestos exposure and remove cases from the court system. It faces an uncertain future, as evidenced by Sen. Reid's comments.
It also faces fierce opposition from labor over concerns that the trust would be underfunded and could deny asbestos victims compensation should it dry up.
Business and insurers have also expressed concerns over "leakage," or instances in which cases could be brought to court despite the trust, which would be funded by insurers, defendant companies and existing asbestos trusts.
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