[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.