Flurry of Amendments Delays Tort Reform Effort in the Senate
Legislation supported by NAHB to rein in class action lawsuits in state courts failed on a largely party-line vote on July 8, apparently ending prospects this year for enactment of sorely needed tort reform.
Going into debate, the “Class Action Fairness Act of 2004” (S. 2062) had the backing of enough senators to guarantee its passage, but the measure became bogged down by a number of contentious and unrelated amendments.
Democrats were seeking to use the bill to increase the minimum wage, address global warming issues and extend the assault weapons ban that expires at the end of the year. Republicans saw an opportunity to submit proposals on climate change and granting temporary legal status to undocumented workers.
Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist (R-TN) responded by cutting off debate on all of the amendments and filing a procedural cloture motion requiring 60 votes to approve the legislation.