Political Quotes

“I rise today in strong objection to H.R. 2005, the Workplace Goods Job Growth and Competitiveness Act of 1999. The title of this bill gives the erroneous impression that it will encourage "job growth and competitiveness." Instead, it will only serve to harm workers and employers. The so-called Workplace Goods Job Growth and Competitiveness Act would terminate any rights of workers to hold wrongdoers accountable for a defective product over 18-years-old, even if the product was designed to be used for many more years. Some workers would be able to collect workers' compensation. However, that does not provide for noneconomic damages such as physical disfigurement, loss of limbs, blindness, infertility or pain and suffering. We cannot allow these workers to be sacrificed for the profit of manufacturers. This bill would also discourage manufacturers from notifying consumers of possible defects. H.R. 2005 makes it more cost effective to ignore a malfunction when they are discovered near the end of the 18-year period than to publicize the defect or correct it. By adopting this 18-year statute of repose, Congress would send the message to America's working families that their injuries and costs are of less importance than any other victim of product malfunction.”