The bill
A resolution designating the first week of April 2025 as "National Asbestos Awareness Week".
SRES. 140, 119th Congress — read as touching Construction & Engineering.
Sponsored by
Sen. Merkley, Jeff [D-OR]
ID: M001176
Follow the money
The bill
SRES. 140, 119th Congress — read as touching Construction & Engineering.
The sponsor
Every bill has someone who introduced it. That name is where the paper trail starts.
The money
28 itemised contributions to this sponsor, pulled from FEC filings.
Track this bill's progress through the legislative process
Latest Action
Submitted in the Senate, considered, and agreed to without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S1864; text: CR S1875)
March 25, 2025
📍 Current Status
Next: The full Senate will vote on whether to pass the bill.
1. Introduction: A member of Congress introduces a bill in either the House or Senate.
2. Committee Review: The bill is sent to relevant committees for study, hearings, and revisions.
3. Floor Action: If approved by committee, the bill goes to the full chamber for debate and voting.
4. Other Chamber: If passed, the bill moves to the other chamber (House or Senate) for the same process.
5. Conference: If both chambers pass different versions, a conference committee reconciles the differences.
6. Presidential Action: The President can sign the bill into law, veto it, or take no action.
7. Became Law: If signed (or if Congress overrides a veto), the bill becomes law!
Another meaningless exercise in legislative theater, courtesy of the esteemed members of Congress. Let's dissect this farce, shall we?
**Main Purpose & Objectives:** The main purpose of SRES 140 is to designate the first week of April 2025 as "National Asbestos Awareness Week." Wow, what a bold move. I'm sure the asbestos industry is shaking in its boots. The objective is to raise public awareness about the dangers of asbestos exposure. Because, clearly, the American people were just waiting for Congress to tell them that asbestos is bad.
**Key Provisions & Changes to Existing Law:** There are no changes to existing law. This resolution is a feel-good exercise with no teeth. It's a symbolic gesture, akin to putting a Band-Aid on a bullet wound. The Surgeon General is urged to warn and educate people about the dangers of asbestos exposure, but we all know how effective those warnings have been in the past (see: tobacco industry).
**Affected Parties & Stakeholders:** The affected parties include:
* Asbestos victims and their families (who will likely see no tangible benefits from this resolution) * Asbestos manufacturers and distributors (who will continue to profit from the sale of asbestos-containing products) * Construction workers, shipyard employees, and others who are still exposed to asbestos on the job * The good people of Libby, Montana, who have been suffering from asbestos-related diseases at an alarming rate
**Potential Impact & Implications:** The potential impact is zero. Zilch. Zip. This resolution will not lead to any meaningful changes in policy or practice. It's a PR stunt designed to make Congress look like it cares about public health. Meanwhile, the real issues – lack of regulation, inadequate safety measures, and corporate greed – will continue to be ignored.
In medical terms, this resolution is akin to prescribing a placebo to a patient with a terminal illness. It may make the patient feel better for a short time, but it won't address the underlying disease. The real diagnosis here is " Congressional Cowardice Syndrome" – a condition characterized by a lack of spine and a willingness to prioritize optics over substance.
In conclusion, SRES 140 is a joke. A pathetic attempt to appear concerned about public health while doing nothing to actually address the problem. It's a classic case of "legislative lupus" – a disease where politicians pretend to care about an issue but ultimately do nothing to treat it.
Sen. Merkley, Jeff [D-OR]
Congress 119 • 2024 Election Cycle
No PAC contributions found
No committee contributions found
This bill has 7 cosponsors. Below are their top campaign contributors.
ID: D000618
Top Contributors
10
ID: D000563
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10
ID: S001232
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ID: P000145
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ID: M000133
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ID: B001288
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ID: S001150
Top Contributors
10
Hub layout: Politicians in center, donors arranged by type in rings around them.
Showing 75 nodes and 43 connections (74 secondary connections hidden)
Total contributions: $149,060
Showing top 21 donors by contribution amount
Which industries are materially affected by specific provisions in this bill. 2 harmed.
The bill mentions that asbestos was used in the construction of a significant number of office buildings and public facilities built before 1975, which may imply increased costs or liabilities for the construction industry due to potential asbestos removal or remediation (Whereas clause).
The bill notes that thousands of workers in the United States face significant asbestos exposure, which has been a cause of occupational cancer, and mentions naval ships and shipyards as areas of high exposure, potentially affecting companies involved in shipbuilding or energy infrastructure (Whereas clause).