Congressman Biggs Introduces Legislation to Protect Businesses from Frivolous Lawsuits over COVID-19

Statement

Congressman Andy Biggs introduced H.R. 6601 to protect businesses taking reasonable steps to prevent the transmission of COVID-19 from frivolous negligence claims. Congressman Biggs issued the following statement:

"As President Trump leads the great American comeback, and governors around the nation reopen their societies and economies, many businesses and churches are fearful of potential lawsuits from people who may contract COVID-19 around the time they frequented these locations. Their concern is well founded as trial lawyers often seek to foment lawsuits where others wouldn't. Businesses and churches should not be liable simply for opening their doors.

"While Congress can only address cases that fall appropriately into federal jurisdiction, we can provide necessary protection and clarity in this context. In the American judicial system, most tort cases originate and are resolved in states. The federal government must respect the purview of states in this area.

"Unfortunately, both in the Congress and around the nation, many Democrats are refusing to support efforts to protect our businesses and churches from unfounded legal risks. Failure to pass this legislation will lead to even more small businesses being permanently shuttered and countless more Americans being unemployed. We must give our society and economy the legal protections needed to maintain their operations in our communities. I call on my colleagues from both sides of the aisle to support this legislation. And I encourage states to similarly address this issue."

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