Contrary to popular belief, the Superfund toxic dump clean-up program does not provide money to compensate victims of toxic waste. It is often difficult, if not impossible, for victims to recover damages from those responsible.

This vote is on the Roth (R-DE) Amendment to the Senate Superfund reauthorization to strike a provision establishing a new demonstration program to pay for medical expenses of toxic waste victims. The provision would have authorized $30 million annually for five years to pay out-of-pocket medical expenses of victims without insurance. The program would have been limited to those instances where scientific studies showed that toxic exposure caused health threats.

Roth Amendment accepted 49-45; September 24, 1985. NO is the pro-environmental vote. (Roth Amendment to S. 51, Superfund Reauthorization.) The Reagan Administration supported the amendment. The demonstration program was not included in the final Superfund bill that was signed into law.