Ted Poe: “I oppose this amendment because it would defeat the whole purpose of the bill, which is to resolve access issues under…”

“I oppose this amendment because it would defeat the whole purpose of the bill, which is to resolve access issues under title III without the need for expensive litigation. The private enforcement provisions provided in title III of the ADA are already a powerful tool to achieve greater accessibility through injunctive relief. Importantly, the ADA does not provide for damages in private lawsuits; it never has. This amendment would then, for the first time, allow such damages, which will drive up litigation costs and provide even more fodder for trial lawyers to abuse the law. Businesses should use their resources to fix access to problems, not to pay unnecessary and wasteful litigation costs. Mr. Chairman, I urge my colleagues to oppose this amendment, and I reserve the balance of my time.”