[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 41 (Monday, March 6, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E521]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                            LITIGATION MAYHEM

                                 ______


                            HON. RON PACKARD

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                          Monday, March 6, 1995
  Mr. PACKARD. Mr. Speaker, our Republican Contract With America 
continues to move on track. Last week we passed the Job Creation and 
Wage Enhancement Act to stop out-of-control Federal spending and 
regulation. This week we will work to stop out-of-control litigation 
which is clogging our civil justice system.
  Our current legal system is being abused and overused. Frivolous 
lawsuits and outlandish damage rewards make a mockery of our civil 
justice system. In the last 30 years the number of Federal lawsuits 
filed annually tripled. This tidal wave of trivial lawsuits threatens 
fast-growing firms and burdens consumers by adding big legal bills to 
the cost of doing business. Our Republican Common Sense Legal Reform 
Act, H.R. 10, works to correct this injustice.
  Common sense legal reforms like product liability, limiting punitive 
damages, and making attorneys accountable for their litigation tactics 
will work to stem the current tide of endless litigation. The 
Republican tort reform proposals work to restore accountability to the 
legal system and reduce costs to the American people.
  Mr. Speaker, the tort reform provisions proposed within our Contract 
With America will end baseless litigation and exaggerated jury awards. 
Our Common Sense Legal Reform Act will protect American manufacturers, 
consumers and workers. We must end this litigation mayhem.


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