Bobby Scott: “Whatever the merits of the lawsuits which provoke this legislation are, we ought to focus on the fact that lawsuits…”

“Whatever the merits of the lawsuits which provoke this legislation are, we ought to focus on the fact that lawsuits ought to be tried in court, where evidence can be heard and objective law applied. Today, we are allowing one industry to have the privilege of trying its lawsuit with politicians who will take politics and polls into consideration instead of being treated the same as other citizens who have to try their cases in court. If the case on behalf of the food industry is strong, then courts will know what to do; they can dismiss the cases. Furthermore, if based on the evidence and the law the court finds that the law suit is frivolous, the court may assess sanctions against the plaintiffs and lawyers who file the suits. In fact, it is my understanding that all of the lawsuits have in fact been dismissed. So what is wrong with the food industry being treated the same as other industries when it comes to courts deciding whether or not there is responsibility for injuries to others? And what is wrong with trying cases in court with unbiased judges and juries hearing both sides of the case according to rules which allow both sides to produce all relevant witnesses who will be heard and cross-examined?”