STATEMENT OF ADMINISTRATION POLICY
S. 397 - Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Ac
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STATEMENT OF ADMINISTRATION POLICY |
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EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET WASHINGTON,
D.C. 20503 The Administration strongly supports Senate passage of
S. 397. The Administration urges the Senate to pass a clean bill, in
order to ensure enactment of the legislation this year. Any amendment
that would delay enactment of the bill beyond this year is unacceptable.
The manufacturer or seller of a legal, non-defective product should
not be held liable for the criminal or unlawful misuse of that product
by others. The possibility of imposing liability on an entire industry
for harm that is solely caused by others is an abuse of the legal system,
erodes public confidence in our Nation's laws, threatens the diminution
of a basic constitutional right and civil liberty, sets a poor precedent
for other lawful industries, will cause a loss of jobs, and burdens
interstate and foreign commerce. S. 397 would help curb frivolous litigation
against a lawful American industry and the thousands of workers it employs
and would help prevent abuse of the legal system. The bill would also
safeguard our national security by preventing frivolous lawsuits against
an industry that plays an important role in fulfilling our military’s
procurement needs. At the same time, the legislation would carefully
preserve the right of individuals to have their day in court with civil
liability actions. These civil actions are enumerated in the bill and
respect the traditional role of the States in the Nation’s Federal
system with regard to such actions. |
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