Washington, D.C. – The Council for Citizens Against Government Waste (CCAGW) today praised members of the Senate for supporting Sen. Arlen Specter’s (R-Pa.) motion to waive the budgetary point of order which stood in the way of a vote on the Fairness in Injury Resolution (FAIR) Act.

“This point of order was technical maneuvering,” CCAGW President Tom Schatz said.  “In allowing the legislation to be decided on its merits, the Senate has put the interests of actual victims above the needs of trial lawyers.”

The court system is overwhelmed by more than 730,000 individuals who have filed asbestos claims.  An estimated 300,000 claims are currently pending.

“Various asbestos reforms have been presented over the past ten years, yet a broken system that wastes tax dollars remains in place.  The FAIR Act offers a practical, privately-funded solution.  Today’s action moves true victims one step closer toward relief,” Schatz said.    

The Council for Citizens Against Government Waste is the lobbying arm of Citizens Against Government Waste, a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization dedicated to eliminating waste, fraud, abuse, and mismanagement in government.