An investigation by reporters with WXIA Channel 11 in Atlanta pulls back the curtain on the nefarious, backroom operations of the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) and its influence over state lawmakers. The exposé by Ch. 11 highlights a bill introduced in the Georgia General Assembly in 2007 written by ALEC to stop asbestos victims from taking their case to court.

Since 2012, ALEC has persuaded legislators in 11 states to consider bills that set up a series of hurdles for victims of asbestos disease before they can seek compensation through litigation. Laws have passed in 5 of the 11 states.  A federal counterpart, the Furthering Asbestos Claim Transparency Act (FACT Act), or the “Farenthold bill” after its author Rep. Blake Farenthold (R-Texas), is one of the top policy priorities of ALEC benefactors like Koch Industries. The “Farenthold bill” would result in the public disclosure of asbestos victims’ personal information and enable companies being sued by victims to avoid liability. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is among the business supporters of the federal FACT Act legislation.

Sandy Neuenschwander, who lost her son Michael Bradley on April 24, 2014 at the age of 29 from a long and painful battle with mesothelioma, had this to say after Republicans on the House Judiciary Committee passed the Farenthold bill.

“No mother, father, spouse, son or daughter should have to watch their loved ones die a horrible and preventable death. Any member of Congress who votes for the legislation is in effect telling these victims and their families that the profits of the asbestos peddlers are more important than the health of their constituents.”