WASHINGTON -- Republicans sought on Monday to bring to the Senate floor a bill to curb abuse of class action lawsuits, but Democrats objected, branding it a sop to industry at consumers' expense. The Senate's Republican leadership announced it would seek a procedural vote at mid-week on whether to take up the bill. The measure would move most large class action lawsuits from state to federal courts, where judges may be less sympathetic. It has been sought by U.S. corporate interests for five years, but is vehemently opposed by trial lawyers and judges -- including Supreme Court Chief Justice William Rehnquist -- and has never been voted on in the Senate.
Posted by Editor at October 20, 2003 10:45 AM