Zoe Lofgren: “Mr. Chairman, there is no doubt that there have been problems in the area of class action lawsuits. We have heard some…”

“Mr. Chairman, there is no doubt that there have been problems in the area of class action lawsuits. We have heard some reference to those problems here today, and certainly the Committee on the Judiciary heard testimony about some of the issues that do need to be addressed. However, the fact that there are problems with coupon settlements does not mean that we can adopt any old thing as a remedy. In fact, this bill has some flaws, and the amendment before the body now is a very important amendment because it cures one of those flaws. This is an amendment that is very important for local prosecutors. H.R. 2341, oddly enough, prevents district attorneys from taking civil actions to benefit the public under the guise of 'class action reform.' This provision of the bill is opposed by the California District Attorneys' Association, and that is because this provision of the bill is not limited to consumer protection class actions brought by plaintiff attorneys. It has a far-more reaching effect. It federalizes any State cause of action that is brought on behalf of the general public.”