Class Action Reform

Senator Bill Frist
02/18/2005

I was at the White House earlier today where I proudly stood behind the President as he signed the Class Action Reform Bill.

In his State of the Union address, the President boldly called for it. Public opinion polls suggested that the American people overwhelmingly supported it. On the floor of the United States Senate, we fought for it.

Well...I am proud to say 8 days after we passed it, Class Action Reform is now the law of the land.

This victory strikes a devastating blow to the class action lawsuits that have--for too long--been bankrupting small businesses, punishing consumers and increasing the cost of doing business in America.

You may recall that this reform was brazenly blocked by a Democrat filibuster last year.

Every two seconds a lawsuit is filed in America. EVERY TWO SECONDS! And the consequences are plain to see...our courts are clogged and our taxpayer dollars are being wasted.

This legislation ensures that frivolous class action lawsuits can no longer be shopped around to "lawsuit friendly" counties where juries are infamous for granting huge and unjust settlement rewards. 

Moreover--and more importantly--it will once and for all limit the fees that are paid to opportunistic lawyers at the expense of innocent victims...victims who are often left with nothing but "coupons" in the final settlement, while lawyers pocket millions.

This legislation marks a true starting point on the road to restoring balance and integrity to our legal system. I am proud that we have come together to reverse this damaging trend. I am proud that we have come together in the interests of replacing a climate of abuse with a climate of commonsense in our legal system.

Today was...a true victory for consumers and for the American people!

On a personal note, tomorrow Karyn and I will be watching Jonathan's last wrestling match of his career. Bryan has one more year.


Bill Frist

bf_rfsl_010705