Bill targets defective foreign goods

WASHINGTON, Aug. 12 (UPI) -- Two United States senators have introduced legislation making it easier for Americans who buy defective foreign products to sue the manufacturers.

Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, D-R.I., and Jeff Sessions, R-Ala. are co-sponsoring a measure aimed at closing loopholes that prevent foreign manufacturers from being hauled into American courts, the Miami Herald reported Wednesday.

The bill requires foreign manufacturers to have a business representative in at least one state where it does business so that person can be served with a lawsuit if necessary.

The measure was prompted by serious problems with Chinese drywall that was used by builders in Florida and other states when demand outstripped U.S. supplies in 2004 and 2005.

The Whitehouse-Sessions measure has the support of the Consumers Union and the Consumer Federation of America.