Political Quotes

“Madam Chair, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Chair, I rise in strong support of H.R. 1423, the Forced Arbitration Injustice Repeal Act, or the FAIR Act. Buried deep within the fine print of everyday contracts, forced arbitration deprives American consumers and workers of their day in court when they attempt to hold corporations accountable for breaking the law. This private system lacks the procedural safeguards of our justice system. It is not subject to oversight, has no judge or jury, and is not bound by laws passed by Congress or the States, but it has become a requirement of everyday life. Consumers and workers must surrender their rights to corporations through forced arbitration clauses, which are unilaterally imposed by companies before disputes even arise. When forced arbitration is combined with nondisclosure agreements, it effectively silences the victims of rampant corporate misconduct. This shameful, humiliating, and corrupt system has isolated and silenced people who are ultimately deprived of their right to hold wrongdoers accountable through their day in court. Few instances of this silencing effect are as stark and disturbing as the experiences of victims of sexual harassment and assault, who are routinely exploited by forced arbitration. Forced arbitration has also eroded the fundamental rights of our Nation's men and women in uniform, veterans, and their families. These brave Americans have sacrificed much in service to our country.…”