Political Quotes

“I support Senator Kohl's amendment to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, CPSC, Reform Act. This legislation would make it more difficult to prevent public disclosure of information in lawsuits involving a product that poses a serious public heath or safety risk. Senator Kohl's amendment would promote transparency in court proceedings by prohibiting courts from restricting access to information in civil cases that could affect public health or safety. The amendment would prohibit judges from sealing court records, information obtained through discovery, and certain details of a settlement unless the public health or safety interest is outweighed by a specific and substantial interest in maintaining confidentiality. When issued, protective orders could be no broader than necessary to protect the privacy interest asserted. The Judiciary Committee heard compelling testimony in a recent hearing about the tragic consequences of court secrecy in cases concerning defective products. We heard from Johnny Bradley, a Navy recruiter who tragically lost his wife in a car wreck that resulted from tread separation on a Cooper tire on his Ford Explorer.”