John Conyers: “I have supported this legislation in the past because I am told it will improve the ability of Federal courts to handle…”

“I have supported this legislation in the past because I am told it will improve the ability of Federal courts to handle complex multidistrict litigation arising from a common set of facts. But I do have some reservations about this bill. When Congress enacted the Multidistrict Litigation, MDL, statute 35 years ago, its purpose was not to impose an unfair burden on plaintiffs and their families. Congress made plain its insistence on preserving the ability of individual plaintiffs to have their eventual day in court in a Federal district courthouse reasonably close to their home. I want to make sure we continue to strike the right balance between emphasizing judicial economy and efficiency and preserving fundamental fairness during the critical trial phase. With this underlying goal in mind, I support this legislation. However, I hope the bill will continue to improve as it moves through the Senate and into Conference.”