[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 42 (Tuesday, March 7, 1995)]
[House]
[Page H2731]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   CHANGES IN THE LEGAL SYSTEM PROVIDED BY THE CONTRACT WITH AMERICA

  (Mr. CHABOT asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. CHABOT. Mr. Speaker, this is a true story. A man in New York 
tried to commit suicide by jumping in front of a subway train? He 
survived, and then he sued the city for damages, and he won $1.2 
million.
  This is just the type of case which tells why three-fourths of 
Americans say that the current liability lawsuit system is in need of 
major repair.
  The American people are sick and tired of our culture of 
victimization. Murderers go free because they were supposedly abused as 
children. A woman spills coffee on herself, and then she collects 
millions of dollars in punitive damages.
  Whatever happened to personal responsibility? This is no small 
matter. Frivolous lawsuits cost Americans $300 billion in higher prices 
and in lost wages, but we are going to reform this system, while 
ensuring that all those with legitimate grievances will have access to 
the justice system. This is our Contract With America.


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