Specter says asbestos bill vote unlikely before August recess News
Specter says asbestos bill vote unlikely before August recess

[JURIST] US Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Arlen Specter [official website] said Wednesday that a bill he is co-sponsoring to end asbestos injury lawsuits is unlikely to receive a vote in the Senate before the August recess. The statement comes after Specter earlier in the month urged the bill to be brought forward [JURIST report] despite a tight schedule. The Fairness in Asbestos Injury Resolution Act of 2005 (FAIR) [PDF text], approved by Specter's committee [JURIST report] in May, would replace lawsuits with a $140 billion compensation fund. Many families of those affected by asbestos exposure oppose the bill [Copley report]. Reuters has more.

THIS DAY @ LAW

Charlemagne crowned Holy Roman Emporer

On December 25, 800 A.D., Charlemagne was crowned Holy Roman Emperor by Pope Leo III in Rome, Italy. During his lifetime, Charlemagne united most of Western Europe for the first time since the fall of the Western Roman Empire. He is credited with spreading the rule of law throughout his dominions as well as starting the French and German monarchies.

President Andrew Johnson pardoned Confederates

On December 25, 1868, President Andrew Johnson granted an unconditional pardon to all who had been involved in "insurrection or rebellion" during the US Civil War.