WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Representative
Jan Schakowsky (D-IL) issued the following statement in reaction to
the passage of H.R. 1875, the Interstate Class Action Jurisdiction
Act of 1999.
"I am disappointed that the House of Representatives
approved H.R. 1875, the Interstate Class Action Jurisdiction Act of
1999. This legislation is
unnecessary.
"There is no evidence that class action suits are clogging
state courts and certainly, there is no evidence that federal courts
would be able to provide speedier justice for consumers and small
businesses. In fact, with the growing number of vacancies on
the federal bench, H.R. 1875 would virtually ensure that class
action suits would take longer to resolve, if they are heard at all.
This is why H.R. 1875 is opposed by the Federal Judicial Conference,
the Conference of State Judges, and numerous state attorneys
general.
"The problem is not that class action suits are clogging the
courts. The problem is that children, families, communities
and small businesses are being injured as a result of dangerous,
even reckless behavior. They need access to our civil justice
system. Many businesses take care to sell safe products.
Unfortunately, other do not. Class action suits allow
similarly injured consumers and small businesses to join together to
seek compensation for their injuries and stop dangerous practices so
that others will not be injured.
"This bill is opposed by a broad range of consumer, senior,
disability, environmental, health care and other groups, including
the National Council of Senior Citizens, Consumer Federation of
America, the American Heart Association, and the National
Organization for Women Legal Defense
Fund.
"This bill takes away the legal rights of consumers and
small businesses and I will work to ensure that it does not become
the law of the land." |