October 7th, 2005

Leaders have been given the authority by the senate committee to subpoena information from companies that are facing lawsuits relating to asbestos while the government works on the asbestos trust fund that is to provide compensation funds for victims of asbestos-related diseases. The decision was made on Thursday. The information will relate to the amount that companies will be expected to contribute to the fund.

Senator Arlen Specter had told the committee that although he did not think the measure would be necessary he wanted some muscle just in case, and the decision to give leaders this authority gives him the strength he was looking for. This means that the companies cannot refuse to produce any data requested in relation to this matter.

Senator John Cornyn was also pleased about the decision with regards to the authority given, as he stated that without the information from the companies the bill could be in peril. Many companies were not happy about providing much of the information required, as they thought it might leave them open to further legal action.

Many senators had not been prepared to back the bill until the information required was made available, as without this it would be difficult to know how much each company would contribute to the fund.