WASHINGTON, D.C. – Representative Edward Markey (D-MA), a senior member of the Energy and Commerce Committee, the panel that oversees the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), today released the following statement in response to the enactment of class action legislation that will make it more difficult for consumers who have suffered injuries to bring cases against the corporations who have caused them harm.

“With his signature of the class action bill today, President Bush effectively signed away the rights of many Americans to seek compensation when they are harmed by dangerous products. From the big tobacco companies who face liability for lying and concealing the effects of smoking, to the big oil companies that have contaminated ground water in New England, California, and elsewhere with MTBE, to the asbestos companies – the word is out on Wall Street that this new law will help shut off the ability of those who have been harmed to seek redress for that harm. That may be good news for those who invest in the stocks of those companies, but it is bad news for ordinary Americans who have been harmed by tobacco, poisoned with MTBE in their drinking water, or asbestos in their lungs,” Rep. Markey said.