(Washington, DC)—Congressman Emanuel Cleaver (D-MO-05) took to the floor of the House of Representatives with Congresswoman Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV-02) late last night to conduct a civil debate on the issue of tort reform. The debate marked the second “Debate with Decorum” for the two Members of Congress whose backgrounds, political affiliation, and home districts are very different but who have agreed to promote civility in the halls of Congress.
 
“Congresswoman Capito and I, while friends, passionately disagree on the subject of tort reform, but we are attempting to model how to agree to disagree and work towards the common good of the people we serve. The United States Congress has been the home of great orators and great ideas. However, we have devolved into the politics of personal destruction instead of personal conviction. We were sent to Congress to fight for what we believe is right, but we can fight the good fight without hatred or ill will. If Congress cannot regain its capacity for civility, we demean one of the world’s great democratic institutions and devalue the people we represent,” Congressman Cleaver remarked. 
 
“The freedom to debate is a bedrock principle of our democracy.  However, those of us who have the privilege to serve in Congress would do well to remember that it is acceptable to disagree as long as we remain agreeable.  Too often, debate moves away from the respected differences we hold and evolves into overly partisan vitriol that serves no one.  I appreciate the leadership shown by my friend, Congressman Cleaver, in helping ensure we continue pursuing this very important and worthwhile goal,” said Congresswoman Capito. 
 
"This debate, in many ways, was a defense of the advocate and jury system that has proven essential to the American legal system. Today, there are very strong voices saying that juries cannot be trusted, personal injury trials are too complicated for the average person to adjudicate, and the judicial system is devoid of a means by which the frivolous lawsuits that we all want to eliminate can be dismissed. While I concede our legal system is not perfect and steps should be taken to restrict frivolous lawsuits, my concern is who decides what is frivolous? How can we legislate merit without circumventing our third branch of government in its entirety? If we remove one leg of the tripod upon which our government works and is founded, our whole system of checks and balances falls down. I firmly believe that the debate over tort reform is a construct that has successfully pitted attorneys against doctors, while ignoring the culpability and the role that insurance companies play in the debate. Right now, our nation has an impartial third party arbiter established for the sole purpose of preserving justice — it is called a court of law," said Cleaver. 

Emanuel Cleaver, II is the U.S. Representative for Missouri’s Fifth Congressional District, which includes Kansas City, Independence, Lee's Summit, Raytown, Grandview, Sugar Creek, Belton, Raymore and Peculiar, Missouri. He is a member of the exclusive House Financial Services Committee.