Where Bob Dole Stands on Legal Reform

Ending Frivolous Lawsuits and Other Abuses of the Legal System
There are 19 million new lawsuits filed each year -- one for every 10 adults. In 1994 alone, lawsuits cost the American consumer a staggering $152 billion -- a price tag that exceeds the entire federal budget deficit.

All too often, the fear of frivolous lawsuits stifles innovation, risk-taking and entrepreneurship in America. Bob Dole understands that for America to remain an economic world leader, we must not be afraid to experiment and be innovative.

That is why Bob Dole has been a leader in the fight to end lawsuit abuse. As he recently explained: "Lawsuit abuse hurts consumers by raising the costs of goods and services. It limits employment opportunities for those seeking jobs. It hurts the competitiveness of U.S. businesses overseas. And, perhaps worst of all, it can prevent new, life-saving drugs and medical devices from ever reaching the market."

As a Senator, Bob Dole has been an outspoken supporter of legal reform. He co-sponsored the Product Liability Reform Bill, supported the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and introduced legislation to extend legal reform protection to non-profit, voluntary and charitable organizations like the Little League and Girl Scouts.

Bill Clinton Vetoed Two Reform Bills That Would Have Curbed These Suits
Bill Clinton vetoed the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act. The act aimed to make it easier for courts to dismiss frivolous lawsuits that clog up the legal system and hurt America's entrepreneurs. But trial lawyers -- many of them large contributors to Bill Clinton's re-election -- persuaded Bill Clinton to veto the bill. Bob Dole led the Senate in successfully overriding Bill Clinton's veto -- a bipartisan vote that proved how extreme Bill Clinton's position was.

The act, now law due to Bob Dole's leadership:

• Makes it easier for courts to dismiss frivolous securities lawsuits.
• Puts control of lawsuits in the hands of the investors -- not the trial lawyers.
• Protects corporations from being held liable for making forecasts or projections that are accompanied by meaningful warnings.
  
  Bill Clinton again took the side of trial lawyers over the American citizens when he vetoed the Product Liability Reform Bill. The bill would have helped reduce the 19 million lawsuits filed each year in America.
  
  As President, Bob Dole will sign the Product Liability Reform bill.
  
  Bob Dole believes that the interests of working Americans, investors and businesses should come before the interests of wealthy trial lawyers. As President, Bob Dole will continue to support legal reform.
  
  A Better America
  With Bob Dole as President, the spirit of innovation and enterprise that made America strong will return. Frivolous and abusive lawsuits will no longer sap that spirit by discouraging risk-taking and entrepreneurship.

More opportunities. Smaller government. Stronger and safer families

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