DelBene: "We Should Not Treat Asbestos Victims Like Criminals'

Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (WA-01) today voted against H.R. 1927 because it included unnecessary and burdensome requirements that would deny asbestos victims their privacy and timely compensation. Instead, DelBene called for a vote on her bill, the Reducing Exposure to Asbestos Database (READ) Act (H.R. 230) to protect American families and workers from exposure to asbestos.

"It's unacceptable that so many Americans and their families suffer from contact with deadly asbestos. We can and must prevent exposure, but Congress should not be passing legislation that would treat asbestos victims like they are the criminals," DelBene said. "My legislation will save lives and reduce exposure through increased transparency while ensuring the public is informed of where asbestos has been used."

H.R. 1927 included the Furthering Asbestos Claim Transparency (FACT) Act, which steals victims' privacy by requiring asbestos bankruptcy trusts to release the personal information on their claimants. Meanwhile, corporate defendants continue to enjoy seemingly limitless privacy, including the right to keep the terms of their settlements confidential without regard to public health or safety. The FACT Act would also shift the discovery costs from asbestos companies to the bankruptcy trusts, draining limited resources intended to pay victims' claims in a timely manner.

DelBene's alternative, the READ Act, would direct the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to maintain a publicly searchable online asbestos database of products and locations containing asbestos.

Asbestos is a carcinogenic substance that increases the risk of cancers in those who are exposed. Asbestos-related diseases still claim nearly 15,000 American lives every year and more than 100,000 worldwide.

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