Carper Urges Negotiations to Continue on Asbestos Bill

WASHINGTON (April 22, 2004) – Sen. Tom Carper, D-Del., today issued the following statement after the Senate voted against moving to a final vote on an asbestos exposure bill [S. 2290] sponsored by Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, R-Tenn., and Senate Judiciary Chairman Orrin Hatch, R-Utah. Saying the bill did not yet represent a true compromise, Carper joined 46 other senators in delaying a final vote on the legislation. However, Carper expressed optimism that bipartisan negotiations could soon yield a compromise on this critical issue. “Sometimes ‘no’ doesn’t mean ‘no’. It means it’s time to roll up your sleeves and get to work,” said Carper. “I’m hopeful that we can now start meaningful, bipartisan negotiations to get this bill on the right track. It’s imperative that we pass a bill this year that is fair to all parties.”