mr. speaker , i ask unanimous consent to revise and extend my remarks .  mr. speaker , i rise in strong opposition of s. 5 , the so-called `` class action fairness act. '' this bill will send the majority of class action suits from state to federal courts , making it more difficult for people who have been unfairly hurt to collect compensation for their injuries .  federal courts are already overwhelmed by a large number of drug and immigration cases , and they do n't have the time or the resources to deal with complex issues of state law .  this bill has it all wrong .  instead of punishing individuals who pursue frivolous lawsuits , this bill will punish innocent people who have been wrongfully hurt .  this bill is a payoff to large companies and special interests .  it takes rights away from consumers in order to protect drug manufacturers , insurance companies , hmos and negligent doctors .  there is no accountability on their part .  it is not `` frivolous '' for an innocent person who has been harmed through no fault of their own to seek compensation for their injuries .  when a child is disabled or maimed by a preventable error , it is not frivolous to seek damages from the company responsible for the injury .  this is a bill that 's going to significantly harm small consumers who want to hold large companies accountable for defrauding them .  i urge my colleagues to vote `` no '' on s. 5 .  