The hearing is focused on a truly outrageous bill H.R.5437 – Protection of Lawful Commerce in Stone Slab Products Act. If passed, it would ban federal and state lawsuits by workers with silicosis against manufacturers of artificial stone slabs that are used to make kitchen countertops. In California alone, hundreds of these workers have developed silicosis and dozens have died.
The bill was written to protect Cambria, the major US producer of these slabs. Cambria’s CEO is Marty Davis, a major financial and ideological supporter of President Trump, which may explain why the Judiciary Committee is holding the hearing.
What is more important than protecting the industry that is killing its workers?
The chairman of the committee is Jim Jordan (R-OH) and the ranking member is Jamie Raskin (D-MD). The Democratic witness is former OSHA head Dr. David Michaels, so it promises to be exciting.
Because what is more important than protecting the industry that is killing its workers?