Full story in DC Journal

By Lauren Zelt

All eyes are on Virginia and New Jersey as we await the results of the November elections there and what those results tell us about next year’s midterm races. 

Federal candidates nationwide are campaigning for the 2026 election, and many voters are looking to their elected officials for solutions to issues affecting their families, such as making ends meet. With affordability often cited as a driving force in politics, elected officials should seek solutions for the typical American.

While not discussed as often as other financial issues affecting the American public, lawsuit abuse costs every family $4,200 annually, according to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Institute for Legal Reform. The amount is higher in states with a high volume of frivolous lawsuits per capita, costing a family of four more than $8,000 yearly in Delaware and $7,000 in New York.

These extra costs are not welcome for families at a time when a majority of Americans have a negative opinion about the economy. According to a Pew poll conducted at the end of September, 74 percent of Americans rate the economy as “only fair” or “poor,” with the primary reasons for a negative opinion being high prices, personal expenses and high inflation.

Federal officials need to look no further than the Sun Belt to find legislative solutions that will put money back into the pockets of families. Florida and Georgia have made tremendous progress on lawsuit abuse reform in recent years, delivering real financial relief to residents.

In Florida, reforms made during the 2023 legislative session are already putting money back into the pocketbooks of families. According to the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation, the state’s major auto insurers have reduced rates by an average of 6.5 percent this year. Homeowners are also getting some welcome relief in the state, with new property insurers receiving approval to operate this year, taking some of the burden off state-backed Citizens Property Insurance Corp. and bringing free-market competition to rates.

…

Legislative efforts on lawsuit abuse reform don’t need to be limited to state capitols. There are several legislative proposals that Congress could act on right now. Rep. Mike Collins, R-Ga., introduced the Lawsuit Abuse Reduction Act, a bill that addresses the existing lack of accountability in lawsuits that reward unscrupulous attorneys who file baseless claims without fear of recourse. Collins also introduced the Staged Accident Fraud Prevention Act this Congress, a bill that would make staged accidents a federal crime.

…

Once the federal government is funded, Congress can, and should, take action on lawsuit abuse reform. Elected officials on both sides of the aisle can deliver on their promise to bring costs down for Americans by taking up this issue. An extra $4,200 each year would go a long way for the typical family at a time when financial relief is desperately needed.