Campaign Donors: Asbestos Trust Fund

ASBESTOS TRUST FUND

• Lieberman was one of only 11 Democrats to support an asbestos victim trust fund that would drop all asbestos-related court proceedings. The vote, requiring 60 votes to overcome a procedural motion to block the legislation, failed by a 58-41 vote. (S 852, Senate Vote 21, 2/14/06)

• The legislation forced defendant companies that dealt with asbestos-containing products to contribute to a $140 billion trust fund to pay claims to those sickened by asbestos. In exchange for payouts of up to $1.1 million based on age and level of exposure, victims would drop all asbestos-related court proceedings. (Chicago Tribune, 2/16/06)

• Large manufacturers, including Dow Chemical, Ford, General Electric, General Motors, Honeywell, Pfizer and Viacom, stood to benefit greatly from the legislation. One company, USG, would see its liability capped at $900 million, rather than the $3.95 billion it had faced in total liability. (Center for Responsive Politics: Tracking the Payback-Asbestos; Chicago Tribune, 2/16/06)

• In the 2006 election cycle, Lieberman received $28,250 from chemical manufacturing PACs and $38,000 from miscellaneous manufacturers and distributors, according to the Center for Responsive Politics. General Electric contributed $2,500 and Honeywell International contributed $3,500 to Lieberman in 2006. During the 2000 cycle, General Electric contributed $8,000 to Lieberman while Honeywell contributed $1,000. (Center for Responsive Politics)