Political Quotes

“In other words, we have an expansion to all civil actions on any theory as to changes in the area of punitive damages and the elimination of joint and several liability. And the amendment does not limit its application to interstate commerce. We as a deliberate body, the U.S. Senate, are going to attach our stamp of approval to language that has such a far-reaching, encompassing aspect without having a single witness or law professor or defense lawyer, or anybody to advise us as to its potential effect. I do not know where and how it affects Americans under the Disabilities Act or a State law that has a disability act. I do not know how it affects--and from this one cannot tell--what it does pertaining to all of the various State laws dealing with the environment. There are some States that have had Superfund-type cleanup laws. What happens where there are numerous parties which might have contaminated the environment? It certainly seems to me that these things ought to be subject to some hearings and some investigations rather than coming here without having really any great knowledge as to its ultimate impact.”