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Litigation is expensive and often cost-prohibitive for many Americans who find themselves in a situation where a business or their employer fails to meet the terms of a contract. That’s why it is important for consumers and employees to have the easier, faster and less costly option of arbitration to resolve disputes with companies. Today, the House majority passed H.R. 1423, the Forced Arbitration Injustice Repeal (FAIR) Act, which would take away arbitration agreements and invalidate millions of binding contracts for American consumers and employees. This is a big win for trial lawyers, who would churn out big profits from the forced litigation that would likely result if this bill became law.
Pre-dispute mandatory binding arbitration agreements increasingly include provisions to make them more amenable to consumers by including "fair clauses" to improve arbitration processes and further lower costs for consumers, as well as opt-out clauses that allow consumers a period of time to opt-out of the agreements. While arbitration isn't always perfect, it's often a positive alternative to litigation because it can better repair relationships among consumers, employees, and businesses, while saving money for everyone involved. Rather than eliminating arbitration as an option, we should pursue due process reforms to make the arbitration process even better.
Thursday, the House also passed a continuing resolution that would extend the discretionary funding levels and parameters of FY 2019 appropriations through November 21, 2019.
| Introducing the SAVE Moms & Babies Act |
This week, the Guttmacher Institute came out with a new report that provided some very encouraging news for the pro-life movement: between 2011 and 2017, the U.S. abortion rate fell by approximately 20%, with the abortion rate falling in 45 states. However, the same study found that use of the abortion pill went up from 29% to 39%, and 18% of nonhospital facilities reported treating at least one patient for a failed attempt at a chemical abortion. That’s up from 12% in 2014, and now lawmakers in California are considering legislation to require college campus health clinics to dispense these risky abortion pills to students.
The SAVE Moms &Babies Act helps ensure the dangers of this risky procedure are not hidden. It would prevent labeling changes for already approved abortion drugs; prevent providers from dispensing these drugs remotely, by mail, or via tele-medicine; and prevent the FDA from approving new chemical abortion drugs. Yesterday, I was proud to help introduce this bill as an original cosponsor. Click here or the graphic below to share this on Facebook.
| Celebrating Constitution Day |
On Tuesday, I spoke on the House floor to celebrate the 232nd anniversary of the signing of our Constitution. Click here or the image below to view my remarks.
| Safeguard Yourself on Social Media |
With 64% of U.S. adults having noticed or been notified of a major data breach affecting their sensitive accounts or personal data, it is important to be cybersmart when sharing personal information online. Also, be aware that what you post can signal your whereabouts to burglars following you on social media. Do not post about travel until you return home, and never post photos of tickets, boarding passes or passports. Here are some simple guidelines for cybersecurity to help you make your social media accounts safer, along with your home and valuables.
Top left: Robert Knight and Rick Morris, Bottom left: Crystal Thomas |
Stokes Stomp
North Carolina Trucking Association
North Carolina Automobile Dealers Association
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