    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2005, Book I)]
    [February 17, 2005]
    [Page 251]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Statement on House of Representatives Passage of the Class-Action
    Lawsuit Reform Legislation
    February 17, 2005

        I commend the House for passing a class-action reform bill that will
    help protect people who are wrongfully harmed while reducing the
    frivolous lawsuits that clog our courts, hurt the economy, cost jobs,
    and burden American businesses. Junk lawsuits have helped drive the cost
    of America's tort system to more than $240 billion a year, greater than
    any other major industrialized nation. This bill is an important step
    forward in our efforts to reform the litigation system and to continue
    creating jobs and growing our economy. I look forward to signing the
    bill into law.