[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 70 (Monday, May 1, 1995)]
[Senate]
[Pages S5870-S5871]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    COMMONSENSE PRODUCT LIABIL- ITY AND LEGAL REFORM ACT

  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Under the previous order, the Senate will now 
resume consideration of H.R. 956, which the clerk will report.
  The legislative clerk read as follows:

       A bill (H.R. 956) to establish legal standards and 
     procedures for product liability litigation, and for other 
     purposes.

  The Senate resumed consideration of the bill.

       Pending:
       (1) Gorton amendment No. 596, in the nature of a 
     substitute.
       (2) McConnell amendment No. 603 (to amendment No. 596) to 
     reform the health care liability system and improve health 
     care quality through the establishment of quality assurance 
     programs.
       (3) Thomas amendment No. 604 (to amendment No. 603) to 
     provide for the consideration of health care liability claims 
     relating to certain obstetric services.
       (4) Wellstone amendment No. 605 (to amendment No. 603) to 
     revise provisions regarding reports on medical malpractice 
     data and access to certain information.
       (5) Snowe amendment No. 608 (to amendment No. 603) to limit 
     the amount of punitive damages that may be awarded in a 
     health care liability action.
       (6) Kyl amendment No. 609 (to amendment No. 603) to provide 
     for full compensation for noneconomic losses in civil 
     actions.

  Mr. GORTON addressed the Chair.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Washington.
  Mr. GORTON. Mr. President, the balance of the day will be used to 
debate the McConnell amendment which proposes to add detailed 
provisions with respect to medical malpractice legislation to the 
substitute which is currently before the Senate, primarily on the 
subject of product liability.
  All amendments, except for leadership amendments, that deal with 
medical malpractice under the order are to be offered today and debated 
throughout the day. There will also be approximately 1 hour for debate 
on all of those amendments tomorrow before 11 o'clock in the morning, 
when there will be votes on everything leading up to and including the 
McConnell amendment, after which time, with certain narrow exceptions, 
medical malpractice will no longer be discussed as a part of this bill.
  So I want to express the hope that Members who wish to speak on the 
subject of medical malpractice or to offer additional amendments to the 
McConnell amendment will come to the floor and debate those issues 
today. Nothing in the order prohibits speeches or discussions on the 
legislation broader than medical malpractice, but this is 
[[Page S5871]] primarily going to be a medical malpractice day.
  So we are open and ready for business for any Member who wishes to 
discuss that issue or to offer an amendment relating to that issue.
  With that, for the time being, Mr. President, I suggest the absence 
of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. GREGG. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for 
the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  Mr. GREGG. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that I be allowed 
to proceed as in morning business for approximately a half hour.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

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