elainefromboston
03-11-2004, 02:04 PM
WASHINGTON - The GOP controlled House yesterday voted to ban supersized lawsuits that blame the food industry for people's expanding waistlines and health woes, saying such cases could bankrupt fast food chains and restaurants.
The 276-139 vote is intended to prevent class action lawsuits that contend food companies and their offerings are responsible for Americans' putting on the pounds and lurching toward obesity.
House Republicans have in recent years approved similar bills barring suits against the gun industry for gun crimes and against businesses for asbestos-related health problems. Not one measure has passed the closely divided Senate.
"We as Americans need to realize that suing your way to better health is not the answer," said House Speaker Dennis Haster (R - Ill.)
"Trial lawyers need to stop encouraging consumers to blame their actions just so they can profit from frivolous lawsuits against restaurants."
The White House endorsed the bill, which the Senate is not expected to pass this year.
Democrats said the industry did not need the federal protection.
"It protects an industry that doesn't need to be protected at this particular point and we're dealing with a problem that doesn't exist," said Rep. James McGovern (D - Mass.) "The problem that does exist is that we have an obesity problem in this country."
Eight members of the all Democrat Massachusetts delegation voted against the bill. Only Rep. Stephen F. Lynch (D - So. Boston) voted for it.
Rep. Barney Frank (D- Newton) did not vote.
- Associated Press article via the Boston Herald.
The 276-139 vote is intended to prevent class action lawsuits that contend food companies and their offerings are responsible for Americans' putting on the pounds and lurching toward obesity.
House Republicans have in recent years approved similar bills barring suits against the gun industry for gun crimes and against businesses for asbestos-related health problems. Not one measure has passed the closely divided Senate.
"We as Americans need to realize that suing your way to better health is not the answer," said House Speaker Dennis Haster (R - Ill.)
"Trial lawyers need to stop encouraging consumers to blame their actions just so they can profit from frivolous lawsuits against restaurants."
The White House endorsed the bill, which the Senate is not expected to pass this year.
Democrats said the industry did not need the federal protection.
"It protects an industry that doesn't need to be protected at this particular point and we're dealing with a problem that doesn't exist," said Rep. James McGovern (D - Mass.) "The problem that does exist is that we have an obesity problem in this country."
Eight members of the all Democrat Massachusetts delegation voted against the bill. Only Rep. Stephen F. Lynch (D - So. Boston) voted for it.
Rep. Barney Frank (D- Newton) did not vote.
- Associated Press article via the Boston Herald.