James M. Talent: “I appreciate the chance to offer a word or two on the amendment. My friend from Missouri and my friend from Iowa have…”

“I appreciate the chance to offer a word or two on the amendment. My friend from Missouri and my friend from Iowa have covered the ground very well. In part, I rise to compliment them on their dogged tenacity on behalf of these workers who deserve this compensation and now have a chance of receiving it because of their hard work. I also compliment the managers of the bill who, even though in their States they do not have people directly involved in this, have seen the plight of our Missouri workers and Iowa workers and have worked with us to get this amendment adopted. It simply means workers in Iowa and Missouri are going to have the same opportunity to get this compensation under expedited rules and procedures that already exist in other States so they will actually have some recourse and some compensation for the illnesses they have suffered because of this overexposure, and they will get it before they pass away because of the cancers that have resulted. There have been many tragic instances where people have fought for this compensation, have waited for what the law says they are entitled to, and have never gotten it. This amendment holds out hope now that we will be able to do justice in these cases. I compliment my friend from Iowa and my colleague from Missouri for their very hard work, and I join them in offering and supporting the amendment.”