Congressman John Shimkus (R, Illinois-19) voted in support of the Personal Responsibility in Food Consumption Act (HR 554), which limits frivolous lawsuits against restaurants and encourages personal responsibility.
"Our legal system has run amok," Shimkus stated in a press release issued Wednesday. "And my home county is certainly the rule, not the exception, to the excesses of lawsuits.
"So many people are ready to first blame others instead of taking responsibility for their own actions."
This legislation would prohibit obesity or weight gain-related claims against the food industry, except in cases where a state or federal law was broken that resulted in harm.
Contract or warranty violations would also be allowed to go forward, as would cases involving tainted food.
The legislation passed the full House Wednesday, Oct. 19, 307-119. The bill now goes to the Senate for consideration.
Shimkus votes for limiting frivolous obesity lawsuits
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