Finding A Path Forward to Ban Asbestos

Floor Speech

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Mr. SHIMKUS. Mr. Speaker, since last Friday, I have been working in good faith to find a path forward on a bill to ban asbestos. Democrats ended that effort yesterday evening.

The bill passed the Energy and Commerce Committee with bipartisan support last November, but the majority added new language just last Friday.

One minute is not enough to detail my concerns with that language or to describe every offer our side made to try to reach agreement. The committee record will have to speak for itself.

The record shows the bill passed 47-1. Every Democrat on the committee voted for it. It shows the bill does not affect talc litigation. And it shows exactly which special interest objected, trial lawyers who didn't get exactly what they wanted.

I want to offer my apologies to Linda Reinstein, who has been a tireless advocate for more than a decade and has fought the good fight in honor of her late husband, Alan, for whom this bill is named.

We know the 47-1 bill I have right here could pass.

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