A resolution designating the first week of April 2025 as "National Asbestos Awareness Week".
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Sen. Merkley, Jeff [D-OR]
ID: M001176
Bill's Journey to Becoming a Law
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Submitted in the Senate, considered, and agreed to without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S1864; text: CR S1875)
March 26, 2025
Introduced
Committee Review
Floor Action
📍 Current Status
Next: The full Senate will vote on whether to pass the bill.
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Became Law
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Bill Summary
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.
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💰 Campaign Finance Network
Sen. Merkley, Jeff [D-OR]
Congress 119 • 2024 Election Cycle
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Cosponsors & Their Campaign Finance
This bill has 7 cosponsors. Below are their top campaign contributors.
Sen. Daines, Steve [R-MT]
ID: D000618
Top Contributors
10
Sen. Durbin, Richard J. [D-IL]
ID: D000563
Top Contributors
10
Sen. Sheehy, Tim [R-MT]
ID: S001232
Top Contributors
10
Sen. Padilla, Alex [D-CA]
ID: P000145
Top Contributors
10
Sen. Markey, Edward J. [D-MA]
ID: M000133
Top Contributors
10
Sen. Booker, Cory A. [D-NJ]
ID: B001288
Top Contributors
10
Sen. Schiff, Adam B. [D-CA]
ID: S001150
Top Contributors
10
Donor Network - Sen. Merkley, Jeff [D-OR]
Hub layout: Politicians in center, donors arranged by type in rings around them.
Showing 35 nodes and 43 connections
Total contributions: $149,060
Top Donors - Sen. Merkley, Jeff [D-OR]
Showing top 21 donors by contribution amount