Sen. Lee Introduces Constitutionally Sound Tort Reform
WASHINGTON – Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) issued the following statement after introducing the Federal Courts Access Act of 2018, Thursday.
“For too long, trial lawyers have been able to manipulate the diversity jurisdiction rules to deny litigants their day in federal court,” Sen. Lee said. “By creating a minimal diversity requirement consistent with the vision of the very first Congress, this bill increases out-of-state litigants access to the federal courts for major controversies. By returning to first principles, we can increase both fairness and efficiency in the civil litigation system.”
The framers of the Constitution were well aware of the dangers state court biased posed to national commerce. That is why from the beginning they created “diversity” jurisdiction, thus allowing litigants from out of state access to federal courts.
But thanks to an 1806 Supreme Court case, plaintiffs now only need to identify one in-state defendant to defeat diversity jurisdiction. This bill fixes that problem by allowing access to federal court for any case where at least one defendant is from out of state.
An online version of this release can be found here.
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Sen. Lee Introduces Constitutionally Sound Tort Reform
WASHINGTON – Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) issued the following statement after introducing the Federal Courts Access Act of 2018, Thursday.
“For too long, trial lawyers have been able to manipulate the diversity jurisdiction rules to deny litigants their day in federal court,” Sen. Lee said. “By creating a minimal diversity requirement consistent with the vision of the very first Congress, this bill increases out-of-state litigants access to the federal courts for major controversies. By returning to first principles, we can increase both fairness and efficiency in the civil litigation system.”
The framers of the Constitution were well aware of the dangers state court biased posed to national commerce. That is why from the beginning they created “diversity” jurisdiction, thus allowing litigants from out of state access to federal courts.
But thanks to an 1806 Supreme Court case, plaintiffs now only need to identify one in-state defendant to defeat diversity jurisdiction. This bill fixes that problem by allowing access to federal court for any case where at least one defendant is from out of state.
An online version of this release can be found here.
Ryan Selects Bishop to Negotiate Farm Bill
WASHINGTON – House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-WI) selected Rep. Rob Bishop (R-UT) to negotiate the final version of the Farm Bill as a member of the House-Senate Conference Committee. Upon appointment to the Committee, Rep. Bishop offered the following statement:
“The House-passed Farm Bill is good for Utah and good for America. As we enter into negotiations with the Senate, I will take particular care to defend and promote the provisions which support Utah’s farmers and ranchers. This bill is important to our nation’s economy and security. I look forward to serving on this bicameral, bipartisan committee.”
Speaker Paul Ryan said, “We see this Farm Bill as pivotal for building a sturdier ladder of opportunity in America. With all this momentum in our economy, there could not be a better time to help more people move from welfare to work. This is a chance to close the skills gap, better equip our workforce, and support much-needed development in rural communities.”
NOTEWORTHY: Rep. Bishop is the only Republican member of the House to be appointed by Speaker Ryan to negotiate every bill sent to conference during the 115th Congress. Bishop reconciled the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act in December of 2017; he is currently in the midst of NDAA negotiations; and he will commence his efforts on the Farm Bill as soon as Senate conferees are appointed.
PROVISIONS IN THE HOUSE VERSION INCLUDE:
