Congress curbs class-action suits

[eleonora]

The US Congress has passed legislation aimed at curbing class-action lawsuits against big companies.

Famous examples of class-action suits include those against the maker of painkiller Vioxx, retailer Wal-Mart and energy giant Enron.

The curb was one of President George W Bush's pledges for his second term.

As such, the vote is seen as a personal victory for Mr Bush, who is expected to sign the bill into law on Friday.

<...>Federal courts are considered traditionally less sympathetic to such cases.

"Frivolous lawsuits are clogging America's judicial system, endangering America's small businesses, jeopardising jobs and driving up prices for consumers," said house majority whip Roy Blunt.

But the Democrats said the legislation would be beneficial for big businesses while preventing citizens from suing corporate giants such as pharmaceutical companies, retailer chains or the tobacco industry.

They argue that some cases might never be heard.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/4275409.stm


~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Who else with me is thinking these 'frivolous' lawsuits are JUSTIFIED??

[AuntiBush]

1. Amazing how 1 man has managed to have more $$$

friends within the realm of the most wealthiest in society, yet prior to 2000 he wasn't anything more than a chain-smoking, coke-snorting drunk!

[NYC Liberal]

2. How about we ban frivilous laws?

:eyes:

[ailsagirl]

3. And how many DEMS voted for this???

I heard on Ed Schultz's show today that had the entire Democratic congress voted against the bill, it wouldn't have passed.

So I can only conclude we have a bunch of phony Dems in Congress. It's easy enough to find out who voted in favor of it.

We can't lay all the blame at the repugs' feet-- they're getting help from people who supposedly represent us.

I have never been quite so DISGUSTED


:mad:

[dsc]

5. Unless he means by filibuster, I don't think that is true

In the end, 18 Democrats and one independent, Sen. James Jeffords of Vermont, joined 53 Republicans in passing the bill. Two Republicans were absent.

It looks like they had 54 to 56 votes without a single Democrat (depending on how the absent Republicans would have voted). I don't know the House totals but I doubt they were much different.

[ailsagirl]

6. I heard that 50 Dems in the House voted for it

That's a substantial number

Bastards

[Megahurtz]

4. Fuck Bush.

eom.:grr: