[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 42 (Tuesday, March 7, 1995)]
[House]
[Page H2730]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        LIABILITY LAWSUIT SYSTEM

  (Mr. TIAHRT asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. TIAHRT. Mr. Speaker, America's liability lawsuit system has 
imposed huge costs on the economy and our society. Even Little League 
baseball has not been exempt. Its liabilities insurance rates have 
climbed 1,000 percent in 5 years. So Americans are going to have to pay 
more for their children to play baseball.
  I feel safe in saying that if our current liability system had 
existed 100 years ago, we would not be flying airplanes. And being from 
the air capital of the world, Wichita, KS, that is a startling thought. 
Americans are brave and adventurous people. We like to take risks. We 
have historically been willing to pay the price for progress. But all 
we are paying today is the cost of frivolous and predatory lawsuits 
brought by lawyers who in many cases are only out to protect their 
fees.
  Mr. Speaker, $300 billion a year. That is what our system costs 
Americans each year in higher prices and lost wages and in lost jobs. 
While we need to ensure that people with legitimate grievances have 
access to the justice system, we also need to make commonsense reforms.

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