Democrats to Mull Recent $140 Billion Asbestos Trust Fund Counterproposal

WASHINGTON - The leading Democratic member of the U.S. Senate has returned to his party with a proposal from Republicans that would set up a $140 billion fund to compensate victims of asbestos exposure.

Sen. Tom Daschle (D-S.D.) told reporters on July 20 that he would mull the latest offer from Senate Majority leader Bill Frist (R-Tenn.) as Congress approached its month-long summer recess, which was set to begin July 23.

The announcement was made within days of the public revelation of Sen. Frist's $140 billion asbestos trust fund plan, which appeared to be about $1 billion short of an …