September 29, 2004—Senate Minority Leader Tom Daschle (D-S.D.) has formally proposed a compromise with Republicans in forming a trust fund to compensate workers exposed to asbestos. The proposal includes a $140 billion private trust fund to be paid by business and insurers, moving the Democratic leadership closer to Republicans efforts. The proposal would also void virtually all pending lawsuits, previously a source of disagreement on the measure. Only claimants with trial dates set within 60 days of enactment or who suffer from mesothelioma, a deadly lung cancer directly related to asbestos exposure, and have a set trial date would be allowed to proceed.
Majority Leader Bill Frist (R-Tenn.), whose most recent offer has been $136 billion, has not yet responded to the proposal. The compromise is not being supported by the AFL-CIO, which claims that most Senate Democrats would not support Daschles proposal and is looking for funding at $149 billion.
—From BOMA.org
