Political Quotes

“My colleagues, we have reached the moment in the frantic 104th Congress where we will begin consideration of product liability reform, the conceded centerpiece of the new majority's contract with corporate America. But we should carefully study the signatories to this contract provision: the party of the first part, the Republican Party; the party of the second part, corporate America. But where are the American people? They are nowhere to be found. So, Mr. Chairman, let us be clear at the outset of this debate. What masquerades under the arcane title of product liability reform is nothing less than a frontal assault on consumers, on the courthouses and the juries of the 50 States, and on the continued safety of products found in our grocery stores, at our schools, and, yes, at our very homes. Not to be allowed to be considered is joint and several liability which has now been severely reduced. Not to be considered are various amendments on punitive damages, to raise the limit at least to a million dollars and to include noneconomic damages. Not to be considered is the Federal preemption of State laws that include sexual abuse violations, drug violations and even, yes, regular assaults on individual to individual. There is no way to change the law under this very strictured debate.”