[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 59 (Thursday, May 2, 1996)]
[Senate]
[Page S4575]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     PRODUCT LIABILITY REFORM VETO

  Mr. DOLE. Later this afternoon, President Clinton is expected to veto 
the product liability reform bill--a bipartisan measure to curb 
abusive, predatory lawsuits.
  This bill passed the Congress overwhelmingly, with the support of 
Democrats and Republicans alike. And for good reason: In 1994, lawsuits 
cost the American consumer a staggering $152 billion--a price tag that 
exceeds the entire Federal budget deficit.
  Lawsuit abuse hurts consumers by raising the costs of goods and 
services. It limits employment opportunities for those seeking jobs. It 
hurts the competitiveness of U.S. businesses overseas. And, perhaps 
worst of all, it can prevent new, lifesaving drugs and medical devices 
from ever reaching the market.
  As Linda Ransom of Phoenix, AZ explained to us earlier this week, 
abusive lawsuits have forced manufacturers to stop selling the 
materials that are needed to make the medical device that is keeping 
her 9-year-old daughter, Tara, alive. This is truly a life-and-death 
issue.
  It is time to stop lawsuit abuse before lawsuit abuse stops America.
  So, why will President Clinton veto this important legislation? The 
answer can be summed up in three words: The trial lawyers. President 
Clinton vetoed the securities litigation reform bill because of the 
strong-arm tactics of the trial lawyers. And he will veto the product 
liability bill because he believes what is good for the trial lawyers 
is also good for America.
  America's legal system is broken and fundamental reforms are needed--
and need now. Our legal system must be reformed to encourage people to 
be responsible for their own actions. And it should quickly and 
efficiently compensate victims--not lawyers. Quite simply, legal reform 
is a key ingredient of any serious plan to promote job creation and 
economic growth.
  Unfortunately, with today's veto, the President will be confirming 
what we already suspected: It is the trial lawyers who are calling the 
shots at the White House.

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