1.   But he seized on lawsuit abuse as a potent political issue, and he has benefited from its ability to attract campaign contributions from businesses.

2.   If securities litigation reform was the real goal here, the widespread support that exists for reasonable steps to curb lawsuit abuses would have insured easy passage.

3.   Other business groups, including the Rio Grande Valley Chamber of Commerce, say lawsuit abuse is harming not only the medical community but the general business climate.

4.   Rep. Henry Hyde, R-Ill., who heads the Judiciary Committee, said the bill would curtail what he called lawsuit abuse.

5.   Ross said lawsuit abuse is worse in Hidalgo and Nueces counties but that problems also exist in Laredo, Beaumont and El Paso.

6.   The Kansas Republican said lawsuit abuse harms the economy, U.S. competitiveness and prevents new drugs and medical devices from reaching the market.

7.   These are not trigger-happy dealers who believe in lawsuit abuse.