Press Release: ADAO Strongly Opposes the So-Called “PROTECT Asbestos Victims Act” (S. 2564)

WASHINGTON–(BUSINESS WIRE)–The Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO), an independent nonprofit dedicating to ending asbestos exposure through education, advocacy, and community work; strongly opposes the “PROTECT Asbestos Victims Act” (S. 2564). Authored by Senators Tom Tillis (R-NC), John Cornyn (R-TX), and Chuck Grassley (R-IA), this is just the latest tactic in the ongoing efforts to protect the asbestos industry and insurers from being held responsible for poisoning of Americans.

The new legislation follows a path of more than 25 pro-asbestos industry bills masking as protective legislation for asbestos victims, when, in reality, they are protecting those who caused the asbestos man-made disasters. This latest bill claims to help diminish fraud but instead delays claims payments for those impacted by asbestos and denies them their rights.

“Whether you call it the FAIR Act, the FACT Act, or the new ‘PROTECT Asbestos Victims Act’ – it’s always the same industry driven legislation to delay and deny justice to present and future asbestos victims. This newest bill’s name is misleading and offensive with claims to protect victims but instead protects trust money, instead of focusing on a much needed asbestos ban, while continuing to give the asbestos industry a pass,” stated ADAO President and Co-founder, Linda Reinstein. “Since 2004, ADAO has strongly opposed congressional efforts to push both the asbestos industry and U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s agendas at the expense of asbestos victims. We urgently call on the Senate to stand up for asbestos victims, their constituents oppose this dangerous and irresponsible legislation.

During the past two decades, an estimated 300,000 Americans have died from preventable, asbestos-caused deaths, and 89,000 metric tons of asbestos has been imported in order to meet ‘manufacturing needs’ at the expense of Americans.

We are holding the sponsors and others who may think about supporting S. 2564 responsible for this shameless attack on innocent victims who have built and defended our country, their families who washed their clothes, and their children who hugged them, and those exposed after disaster. Asbestos has still not been banned and we continue to see it in many parts of our lives, including makeup and other consumer products. The time is now to protect public health and our environment – not the companies who knowingly exposed and killed Americans.”

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About the Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization
The Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO) was founded by asbestos victims and their families in 2004. ADAO is the largest non-profit in the U.S. dedicated to providing asbestos victims and concerned citizens with a united voice through our education, advocacy, and community initiatives. ADAO seeks to raise public awareness about the dangers of asbestos exposure, advocate for an asbestos ban, and protect asbestos victims’ civil rights. For more information, visit www.asbestosdiseaseawareness.org. ADAO, a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, does not make legal referrals.