Darlene Hooley: “I rise today in complete support of the idea behind my colleague from Pennsylvania's amendment to H.R. 2341. It seems…”

“I rise today in complete support of the idea behind my colleague from Pennsylvania's amendment to H.R. 2341. It seems perfectly logical to want to know exactly whether or not this legislation is really needed by requesting a report on Federal class action settlements. We need to know what we are doing. This report would include recommendations on how to ensure settlements are fair, that they are in the best interests of the plaintiffs, and that the expenses awarded to the lawyers are appropriate. I end up asking myself, why are we considering this as an amendment? Why not its own legislation? Why would we pass legislation and then amend it with a requirement that we be told whether or not the legislation was actually necessary in the first place? That makes no sense. I propose today that we work together and pass this amendment as stand-alone legislation and then revisit this whole area of class action reform when we have the recommendations from the report and can act accordingly. To date, we have not been provided with comprehensive data justifying the changes proposed in this legislation. The report would give Congress a chance to really understand whether or not these reforms are even necessary. I offer today to spearhead an effort in this body to quickly adapt stand-alone legislation introduced by the gentlewoman from Pennsylvania (Ms. Hart) that would require such a report.”