Bob Dole: “as we continue the legal reform debate, I think it is important to take a few minutes and focus on what is and is not at…”

“as we continue the legal reform debate, I think it is important to take a few minutes and focus on what is and is not at stake here. What is at stake is whether we are going to continue with a legal system that is too costly, too long, and too unfair. What is at stake is whether the powerful trial lawyers lobby will continue to protect their privileges through irresponsible scare tactics. Because, let Members be clear, the last week has demonstrated not only that the American people--over 83 percent--want reform; a majority of the Senate wants reform too. Only President Clinton and his trial lawyer allies defend the status quo. What they will not do, however, is engage in a debate on the merits. I was disappointed to see President Clinton parrot the standard trial lawyer line that legal reform protected ``drunk drivers, murderers, rapists, and abusers of women and children.'' Mr. President, I have been here awhile, but I must say that I rarely have seen such an offensive twisting of the truth. President Clinton knows better and he should be ashamed of engaging in such tactics. The truth is that we have State and Federal criminal codes to deal with these people.”