D.C. Notebook | Union bill dies; asbestos ban advances

The Employee Free Choice Act died June 26, but not for lack of action by Sen. Patty Murray. She has been pushing the bill sponsored by Sen. Ted Kennedy, D-Mass., for months.

The bill would have allowed unions to organize workplaces by collecting cards signed by employees instead of holding secret-ballot elections.

The King County Labor Council calls the act one of the most important pieces of workers' legislation in a decade.

Industry corralled dozens of lobbyists to oppose it. They said it was unfair because it would force workers who did not want to join a union to refuse to sign a union card in the presence of colleagues.

The bill had enough votes in the Senate, 51-48, but it needed 60 votes to get past a GOP blockade and filibuster threat.

Calling herself "a proud sponsor" of the bill, Murray castigated opponents after the loss, saying, "Instead of standing with our nation's workers and strengthening their voices, rights and protections, Republicans walked away."

Murray is moving forward with legislation that would ban asbestos.

She has pushed the issue for six years, and introduced a bill on it in 2004. The bill would ban asbestos in products two years from its enactment.

Under the GOP-controlled Congress, Murray could not get a hearing on the issue.

But on June 12, the new chair of the Environment and Public Works Committee, Barbara Boxer, D-Calif., held a hearing. Murray testified about deaths from asbestos and the cost to taxpayers. According to an interest group, the Environmental Working Group, Washington state ranks eighth in asbestos-related deaths in the last 20 years.

Murray is now getting support from Republicans such as Johnny Isakson, R-Ga.

In April, Murray's concerns over asbestos forced the Architect of the Capitol, who supervises maintenance of the building, to pull a team of 10 workers from the miles of utility tunnels under the complex. The tunnels reportedly contain airborne asbestos.

The Andean Trade Bill did not get a lot of attention last week, but Rep. Doc Hastings, R-Pasco, had it in his sights.

The bill would extend preferential trade agreements to Peru, Bolivia, Ecuador and Colombia.

On June 26, Hastings sent a letter asking House members to reject the bill.

He cited a New York Times article from 2004 headlined, "War on Peruvian Drugs Takes a Victim: U.S. Asparagus." The story said that the agricultural boom in Peru, and easier policies on imports to the U.S., have hurt state asparagus farmers.

"I urge you to vote 'no,' " Hastings said in his four-line note. Despite his effort, the bill passed 365 to 59.

The Democrats may be in the majority in Congress, but they are still losers.

The Republicans blew them away, 5-2, in the annual Congressional Baseball Game, played June 25 at RFK Stadium.

The Dems made five errors — three alone by their shortstop, Rep. Adam Smith, D-Tacoma. A Smith hit did lead to one run, which accounted for half his team's RBIs. Designated hitter Jay Inslee, D-Bainbridge Island, hit a line drive and an infield fly, both caught.

Brian Baird, D-Vancouver, had a hit, which he touted in a press release. "Baird Slams Single," it read, noting his earlier prowess in Little League.

There was minor muttering by some scribes over the cost to taxpayers of Baird's press release. However, it should be noted that the Clerk of Congress devotes pages of its Web site to the game's 46-year history and its importance to the functioning of the House.

Alicia Mundy: 202-662-7457 or amundy@seattletimes.com