Steve Pearce: “I would like to speak about tort reform, but before I do that I would like to use some of the comments of my colleague…”

“I would like to speak about tort reform, but before I do that I would like to use some of the comments of my colleague and friend who has just spoken about scientific integrity and maybe the creation of a climate that self-selects facts but disregards the scientific evidence, the active suppression of that evidence and questioning and removal of voices that are contrary to predetermined outcomes. I was certain that he was going to bring in CBS news and Dan Rather into the thing, but he stopped one step short. So I would like to add CBS news and Dan Rather to the list of people who preselect their facts, who preselect and predetermine the outcomes, and then compliment CBS news and Dan Rather for their pursuit of truth in front of the American people. Mr. Speaker, one of the things that we continue to talk about on this House floor is the way that businesses are driven off the shores of America into other countries. Very often we seem to simply omit the discussion of tort reform and the need for tort reform and the cost to not only businesses but to individuals in this country for lawsuits, for frivolous lawsuits, litigation. Mr. Speaker, the U.S. Chamber ran an ad 2 years ago which described the cost of every car to include $500 for the cost of legal protection. That means that every consumer who buys a new car contributes $500 to the trial lawyers in this Nation. Is it any surprise then, Mr.…”