RMA president urges Senate passage of class-action reform bill

WASHINGTON (April 10)—The president of the Rubber Manufacturers Association is urging quick Senate passage of a bill to reform the U.S. class-action system. "The Class Action Fairness Act of 2002 will ensure that frivolous lawsuits will no longer find refuge in state courts," Donald B. Shea said in an April 2 letter to Senate Majority Leader Thomas Daschle, D-S.D. The bill, which moves class actions into federal courts and limits the share of jury awards that go to plaintiffs' attorneys, passed the House March 13 on a 233-190 vote, but faces an uncertain future in the Senate.