US Senator Russ Feingold, Congressman Hank Johnson and consumer groups announced the filing of The Arbitration Fairness Act of 2007
The comprehensive legislation would ensure Americans are not forced into mandatory arbitration agreements to resolve employment, consumer, franchise or civil rights disputes. “Arbitration can be a fair and efficient way to handle disputes, but only when it is entered into knowingly and voluntarily by both parties,” Feingold announced. The bill establishes that agreements will not be enforceable if they are entered before the actual dispute arises. See photos and remarks

HOMEOWNERS   FOR   BETTER   BUILDING

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— PRESS RELEASE —  

        FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                    Contact:  Janet Ahmad          
              July 18, 2007                                                                (210) 494-6404 

Senator Feingold and Congressman Johnson File Arbitration Bill  

            Washington DC –   Senator Russ Feingold (D) from Wisconsin and Congressman Hank Johnson (D) from Georgia and Give Me Back My Rights, a coalition of consumer groups gathered at the nations Capitol to announce the filing of The Arbitration Fairness Act (AFA) of 2007. 

The comprehensive legislation would ensure Americans are not forced into mandatory arbitration agreements to resolve employment, consumer, franchise or civil rights disputes.

“Arbitration can be a fair and efficient way to handle disputes, but only when it is entered into knowingly and voluntarily by both parties,” Feingold announced.

The bill establishes that agreements will not be enforceable if they are entered before the actual dispute arises.  It extends to disputes arising under civil rights statutes and statutes regulating contracts or transactions between parties of unequal bargaining power.

A growing number of corporations, including the homebuilding industry require consumers to sign contracts that include binding arbitration clauses that leave millions with no meaningful opportunity to fairly negotiate the terms of purchasing new homes.  As a result, mandatory arbitration systems are skewed in favor of the powerful repeat business from corporate players like homebuilders with the take-it or leave-it arbitration clauses in their contracts.

“Over the years we have persistently expressed our frustration over the growing problems of defective homebuilding and the inequities of binding mandatory arbitration that deprive families justice and basic rights to hold their builder accountable under the law,” said Janet Ahmad, national president of HomeOwners for Better Building ( HOBB ) who was in attendance.

This bill if passed restores basic constitutional rights which will ensure that citizens have a choice between arbitration and the traditional civil court system.

“We are very grateful to Senator Feingold and Rep. Johnson and the collaborated efforts of so.  We are delighted at the possibility of the restoration of basic rights when purchasing a home, the biggest investment of a lifetime.” concluded Ahmad.

Senator Russ Feingold – S.1782
Representative Hank Johnson – H.R.3010 

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