Rep. Johnson’s Legislation to End Forced Arbitration & Restore Accountability for Consumers, Workers Passes House

Congressman’s bipartisan FAIR Act – With 222 Cosponsors – Passes House of Representatives

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congressman Hank Johnson’s (D-GA) bipartisan FAIR Act: The Forced Arbitration Injustice Repeal Act, reestablishing Americans’ 7th Amendment right to seek justice and accountability through the court system, passed the House of Representatives.

Rep. Johnson has introduced a bill dealing with forced arbitration clauses since he first took office in 2007.

| Watch his floor speech here|

The bill passed with 225 votes. The focus on passing legislation that reins in forced arbitration clauses now turns to the Senate, where Sen. Richard Blumenthal has introduced the companion bill.

The House bill — H.R. 1423 — eliminates forced arbitration clauses in employment, consumer, and civil rights cases, and would allow consumers and workers to agree to arbitration after a dispute occurs, was marked up and voted out of committee. The House bill has 222 cosponsors.

“Forced arbitration clauses have permeated American life in recent decades,” said Johnson. They’ve seeped into just about every nook and cranny of our lives, including cell phone contracts, medical bills, employee handbooks, credit cards, nursing home contracts – you name it.  The deck has been stacked against American consumers in favor of big business for far too long. This is just another tool for powerful corporate interests to avoid accountability.  The FAIR Act would level the playing field for all Americans.”

“I want to commend all the people I’ve met over the years who were victims of arbitration. Their bravery in telling their stories of how they were fleeced by these secretive clauses and proceedings is why were on the cusp of passing real reform.”

“A privatized justice system is the ultimate injustice.”

For a FAIR Act fact sheet, click HERE.

For what consumer rights organizations are saying, click HERE

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