Steve Cohen: “I wish to address a few comments on the underlying bill, the Product Liability Fairness Act, which attempts to address…”

“I wish to address a few comments on the underlying bill, the Product Liability Fairness Act, which attempts to address some of the abuses that have occurred in the civil justice system. Unfortunately, the cure being offered is worse than the disease itself. I am struck by the irony that many, particularly on this side of the aisle, have been calling for the deregulation of our economy, for returning power to the States, for empowering the people, and for trusting the judgment of our citizens. They invoke the 10th amendment as if remembering the Alamo--remember the 10th amendment. Yet, at the very same time we are calling for this deregulation, this demassification--if I can use Toffler's phrase --of the power structure in Washington by returning power back to the States and local communities, we are now calling for the passage of another Federal piece of legislation. At a time when we are searching for ways to streamline the civil justice system and to make litigation less cumbersome and costly, this bill is going to complicate the law and make litigation even more expensive. At a time when we are trying to improve the lives of hard-working middle-class Americans, this bill is going to make it more difficult for these citizens to obtain compensation when they are injured, at work or at home, from defective products.”