Distort the Truth Week

DISTORT THE TRUTH WEEK -- (House of Representatives - October 19, 2005)

(Ms. LINDA T. SÁNCHEZ of California asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)

Ms. LINDA T. SÁNCHEZ of California. Madam Speaker, it is Republican ``tort reform week'' in the House of Representatives. However, I think a more appropriate name would be ``distort the truth week.''

Two bills on this week's House calendar, the Personal Responsibility in Food Consumption Act and the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act unjustly slams the courthouse doors in the face of injured plaintiffs.

And why are we voting to shut the doors of courthouses to legitimate plaintiffs? So the Republican Party can give a gift to special interests and the fast food industry and the NRA. It is time to put a stop to this charade. If the goal is to prevent frivolous lawsuits, then punish the lawyers who file them. But if the goal is to give unscrupulous food companies and gun dealers free reign to make their products more dangerous, then by all means I urge my colleagues to support both bills.

However, my goal is to protect the American people, to ensure safe business practices in food production and in the gun industries and to preserve the integrity of our judicial system. That is why I am voting ``no'' on both the Personal Responsibility in Food Consumption Act and the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act. I urge my colleagues to do the same.

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