[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 43 (Wednesday, March 8, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E548]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


             COMMONSENSE PRODUCT LIABILITY AND LEGAL REFORM

                                 ______


                            HON. RON PACKARD

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, March 8, 1995
  Mr. PACKARD. Mr. Speaker, our courts have become a lucrative feeding 
ground for unscrupulous lawyers and greedy plaintiffs who abuse the 
system. Litigation is spinning out of control when a woman can file 
suit over spilt coffee and walk away millions richer. Republicans will 
work to curb this lucrative feeding frenzy by passing a commonsense 
product liability and legal reform bill.
  In our civil justice system the very laws which are supposed to 
protect American workers and consumers hurts them the most. Our current 
legal system imposes a ``litigation tax'' on every hardworking 
American. Higher prices, higher insurance premiums, and stifled 
productivity dampen job creation and deny consumers new, safer, and 
less expensive products. The American people should not be forced to 
pay the tab for baseless litigation and unsettling jury awards.
  Our Commonsense Product Liability and Legal Reform Act, H.R. 956 
takes a balanced approach to provide fairness to consumers, products 
sellers and manufacturers alike. Increased uniformity and certainty in 
civil law will encourage settlements before trial--reducing legal costs 
and helping to speed just compensation to victims.
  The American people are fed up with a senseless civil justice system 
that works against them. They want a legal system that works to protect 
their rights as workers and consumers. H.R. 956 restores accountability 
and responsibility to a legal system currently mired in abuse.




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