U.S. House Moves to Build a FAIR-er Justice System

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. House of Representatives has taken an important step to repair our system of civil justice — which has long been known as the “great equalizer” — and advance equity and justice for all.

Today, the House passed the Forced Arbitration Injustice Repeal (FAIR) Act (H.R. 963), which would block companies from forcing Americans to settle disputes in a rigged system of arbitration rather than in an impartial court of law. The act now heads to the U.S. Senate.

We urge the Senate to pass the FAIR Act as soon as possible to end corporate harm and abuse and ensure all people have access to a fair trial, particularly those who are most often denied it. As my colleagues and I explain in a recent report, forced arbitration harms nearly all U.S. consumers and a majority of workers — but people of color, women, and other marginalized groups pay the highest price.

Congress must end this egregious practice now.

The FAIR Act would do so by barring forced arbitration in employment, consumer, and civil rights cases. If passed, it would build on another important law that enables survivors of sexual assault and harassment to hold their abusers accountable in court. This important women’s safety law will put an end to legal practices that tilt outcomes in favor of abusers and rob survivors of their right to pursue justice in the courts.

Thankfully, Congress is finally taking action to restore these critical rights.

The Center for Progressive Reform harnesses the power of law and public policy to create a responsive government, a healthy environment, and a just society. To learn more, read our report and watch our webinar about the effects of forced arbitration on marginalized communities, co-hosted with the Workers' Rights Institute at Georgetown Law Center.

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