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Senate's tough issues: Patriot Act, asbestos - billingsgazette.com
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January 29, 2006Last modified January 29, 2006 - 2:06 am
Senate's tough issues: Patriot Act, asbestos
Senate's tough issues: Patriot Act, asbestos
Associated Press
WASHINGTON - The Senate opens its 2006 legislative session this week with two measures stalled at the starting gate: renewing the anti-terror USA Patriot Act and establishing a fund to compensate asbestos disease sufferers and stop their lawsuits against American businesses.
The Patriot Act is set to expire Friday.
Lacking the votes to renew many of the anti-terrorism law's provisions permanently and others for four years, Republican leaders are looking at a simple extension into March.
The other measure is a bill to compensate asbestos disease sufferers and halt suits the Bush administration says have cost businesses $80 billion.
The measure is in such bad shape that one senator predicted it will pass only with help from a higher power.
"Perhaps it will take a miracle, but miracles do happen," Sen.
John Cornyn, R-Texas, said Wednesday.
Both bills are products of the Senate Judiciary Committee and are being managed by its chairman, Sen.
Arlen Specter, R-Pa.
Specter also is directing the Senate's handling of Samuel Alito's Supreme Court nomination.
On the same day the Senate is scheduled to start debate on the asbestos bill - Feb.
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