Ernest Istook: “I want to urge my fellow Republicans, those of us who have been supporting tort reform, to vote down this amendment. I…”

“I want to urge my fellow Republicans, those of us who have been supporting tort reform, to vote down this amendment. I do not think a lot of Members realize what you are lumping in. The reference in the text of the amendment to pain and suffering is only by way of example and inclusion. It is not the complete definition of noneconomic damages. It does not pretend to be. Do not tell me that there is no difference between having a lifetime where you may have perpetual pain. I had a young man that I hired in my office as a staff member that was a paraplegic in a wheelchair. Do not tell me that because he was still able to work, which he did, tremendous young man, tremendous worker, but do not tell me because of that, the accident that cost him his feelings from below the waist, is not worth anything more than someone that says, I hurt or I have emotional distress. Do not treat those as the same. Do not treat someone that has this type of disability as no different than someone who just says, I have pain or I have emotional distress. This amendment does that. I urge my colleagues, even those who support tort reform, vote down this amendment.”