The same day we find out that Merck knew that Vioxx killed people but did nothing about it, Congress is set to deal with the Class Action "Fairness" Act, which would make it more difficult for consumers to seek redress from negligent and corrupt corporations.
A top priority of the US business community, the bill is the first and least controversial of a series of measures proposed by the Bush administration to overhaul US Courts. Others include consumer bankruptcy, asbestos litigation, and medical malpractice.Supporters say the bill, which would shift many class-action lawsuits into federal courts, is needed to protect US business from "frivolous" lawsuits and trial lawyers who shop cases to the most favorable state venues.
Opponents, including all leading consumer groups, say that the bill will lock consumers out of the courts and let companies endanger the public.
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After class action, the Judiciary panel expects to take up consumer bankruptcy legislation, which has also repeatedly derailed in previous Congresses. Senator Specter had hoped to move the bill to the floor for a vote by Feb. 14, but in response to Democratic concerns agreed to a hearing.
This is BushCo's agenda for his second term. He doesn't expect to be able to privatize Social Security this term. At the most, he wants to open the door for the destruction of the most successful government program in a century down the line. His wild threats to dismantle it now are the fire he started in the kitchen. We can't ignore it so we'll have to ignore the actual agenda, which will continue to put corporations further out of the reach of justice.
Call what DavidNYC at dKos calls the "wobbliest" Dems and encourage them to support the amendments that come up today. The House said they'll adopt the Senate bill only if it's amendment-free.
From David:
The wobbliest Dems are Schumer (NY), Feinstein (CA) and Kohl (WI), all of whom voted for CAFA in this week's committee vote. Other Democrats who voted for the bill two years ago include Bayh (IN), Carper (DE), Lieberman (CT), Lincoln (AR) & Nelson (NE). Jeffords (VT) was also in this group. (I don't know where Salazar (CO) or Obama (IL) stand, so you may want to ask them.) We will need to politely keep up pressure on this group to make sure they're good team players when Durbin hits the floor with his amendments.P.S. Richard Shelby of Alabama was the lone Republican to vote against CAFA last time it came up. He might be amenable to playing ball with us.
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