Dan Quayle: “I thank the gentleman for yielding. Mr. Chairman, I oppose this amendment, because it would have allowed ideological…”

“I thank the gentleman for yielding. Mr. Chairman, I oppose this amendment, because it would have allowed ideological special interest groups to block mining permits through lawsuits funded by taxpayer dollars. The Equal Access to Justice to Act of 1980 is a law in need of reform. Recognizing the Federal Government's vast resources, it was intended to help protect small businesses, charities and ordinary Americans from unreasonable litigation or administrative proceedings. To this end, the EAJA allows individuals with a net worth of under $2 million and businesses worth less than $7 million to collect attorneys' fees up to $125 per hour. Last year the Judiciary Committee Subcommittee on Courts, Commercial and Administrative Law held a hearing on the need for EAJA reform. The subcommittee learned that particular groups, particularly environmental organizations, are aggressively exploiting the EAJA. The EAJA exempts all not-for-profit organizations from the net worth cap, and it allows attorneys' fees over $125 per hour if a special factor justifies such an award. Well-heeled environmental organizations take full advantage of these provisions to collect large awards for attorneys' fees. For example, the Center for Food Safety recently awarded more than $2.6 million under the EAJA, with its lead counsel compensated at a rate of $650 per hour. It's a good gig if you can get it.…”