November 8, 2017
The Honorable Charles E. Grassley, Chairman
Committee on the Judiciary
United States Senate
Washington, D.C. 20510
The Honorable Dianne Feinstein, Ranking Member
Committee on the Judiciary
United States Senate
Washington, D.C. 20510
Dear Chairman Grassley and Ranking Member Feinstein:
We, the undersigned, represent the interests of small and medium size businesses. We oppose attempts to limit our rights under the civil justice system.
Last year, members of the National Federation of Independent Business were asked to rank the importance of 75 issues. The issue of the “cost and frequency of lawsuits/threatened lawsuits” ranked 68.[1] Even a survey by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce found that in a poll of 1,000 small business and operators, the threat of lawsuits was never mentioned.[2] Our organizations agree with these polls. The issues that this committee seeks to focus attention are not a concern for small business owners.
Small business owners are focused on gaining access to credit, fostering a thriving economy, and growing our businesses. Small businesses need unfettered access to the courts for equal protection to guarantee deserved compensation and justice from offending parties. This has a direct impact on our role as the primary engine of the American economy.
We implore you to spend your limited time deliberating matters that would have real, positive impacts on our lives and our business. Thank you for your attention.
Sincerely,
American Sustainable Business Council
Main Street Alliance
South Carolina Small Business Chamber of Commerce
[1] http://www.nfib.com/assets/NFIB-Problems-and-Priorities-2016.pdf, pg. 11.
[2] https://www.uschamber.com/sbindex/files/SBI_Q3_082217_REL.pdf.