Political Quotes

“the current system of product liability law in the United States is detrimental to our Nation's economic prosperity. The cost of insurance and litigation causes manufacturers to increase prices, provides a disincentive for business to create new products, and impedes interstate commerce. Tort liability costs are substantially higher in the United States than any other country and currently represent 2.3 percent of U.S. gross domestic product. For the past 20 years, the Democrat-controlled Congress has refused to seriously consider obvious problems inherent in our product liability laws. I am pleased that the new Republican majority has made product liability reform a priority and I enthusiastically support H.R. 956, The Common Sense Product Liability and Legal Reform Act. H.R. 956 will enact several important reforms. It ensures that product sellers will receive reasonable protection against liability for manufacturer error. A plaintiff whose use of drugs or alcohol is partly responsible for an accident will be prohibited from collecting damages from defendants with lesser degrees of responsibility. Limits are established regarding a defendant's liability for non-economic damages to a proportionate share of responsibility. A 15-year limitation for brining most liability actions will also be enacted. The bill also makes important reforms to the system of awarding punitive damages.”