Specter Tries Keeping Asbestos Bill Alive

Senate Judiciary Chairman Arlen Specter is persistent in his fight for the passage of S. 852, the Fairness in Asbestos Injury Resolution (FAIR) Act. Specter continues to collect signatures on a letter to Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist to document that Specter has the votes needed to waive the budget-point-of-order on the bill; however, Specter is being met with significant reluctance.

Specter maintains his belief that he has the 60 votes needed to overcome the budget-point-of-order (see excerpts below from a Senate floor speech Specter gave on March 6), but Majority Leader Frist reportedly dismissed Specter's assertion because the challenge is not only to get 60 votes to invoke cloture on the asbestos bill, but also to obtain 60 votes to waive the budget-point-of-order. Currently, Frist is focused on other legislative business (e.g., lobby reform and immigration), and is not prepared to bring asbestos back up until there is an absolute guarantee of 60 votes to limit debate.

Comments of Senator Specter, March 6, 2006

... people who are familiar with the Judiciary Committee, we have representatives at opposite ends of the political spectrum. That is what is attractive about the Judiciary Committee. Notwithstanding our divergence of views, we have had remarkable success in the past 14 months passing the bankruptcy bill, the class action bill, and the asbestos bill out of committee.

We stumbled a little. We are one vote short on the budget point-of-order. That is going to be coming back.

We are taking a look at some of the provisions I am personally talking to Senators about on an individual basis. There is a recognized need for asbestos reform. There is only disagreement as to what it ought to be. I am asking Senators to take a look at the bill and tell me what it is they would like to see done in order to have the bill receive the requisite support here to overcome the budget point of order--I think we have the votes already there--but to overcome cloture and to have a bill that can be enacted.

Direct questions to NAMIC Senior Vice President of Federal Affairs David A. Winston or NAMIC Federal Affairs Director Marliss Browder.

Posted: Monday, March 13, 2006 12:00:00 AM. Modified: Monday, March 13, 2006 10:27:47 AM.

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