Chamber Welcomes Senate Republicans' Legal Reform Agenda and Calls on Congress to Take Action

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The United States Chamber of Commerce today praised the Senate Republican Conference for its new legal reform agenda and called on Congress to pass legislation to restore fairness and balance to America's court system.

"We commend the Senate Republican Conference for taking an aggressive stance against lawsuit abuse," said Bruce Josten, Chamber executive vice president. "The reforms that they are calling for will go a long way toward reining in our nation's runaway legal system."

Key legal reform priorities enumerated by the Senate Republican Conference today include passing asbestos litigation reform; ending frivolous litigation against the food and firearm industries; and strengthening sanctions against frivolous court filings. The Chamber also joined the Conference in backing federal medical liability reforms and legislation to make the multidistrict litigation system more efficient.

"Employers, workers, shareholders and consumers ultimately bear the cost of our abusive and inefficient legal system," continued Josten. "Congress needs to do the right thing and pass measures to curb lawsuit abuse and modernize our litigation system."

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is the world's largest business federation, representing more than three million businesses and organizations of every size, sector, and region.

# # #

05-100