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Congressional Research Service
Version 00 · Introduced in House · Jun 27, 2001
Class Action Fairness Act of 2001 - Establishes a consumer class action bill of rights, including provision for: (1) judicial review and approval of noncash settlements; (2) protection against loss by class members because of payments to class counsel; (3) a prohibition against court approval of a proposed settlement providing for greater payments to class members because they are located in closer geographic proximity to the court; (4) a prohibition against court approval of a proposed settlement providing for payment of a greater share of the award to a class representative serving on behalf of a class; (5) standardized settlement notification information; and (6) pleading requirements.Grants the district courts original jurisdiction of any civil action in which the matter in controversy exceeds $2 million, exclusive of interest and costs, and is a class action in which any member of a class of plaintiffs is: (1) a citizen of a State different from any defendant; (2) a foreign state or a citizen or subject of a foreign state and any defendant is a citizen of a State; or (3) a citizen of a State and any defendant is a foreign state or a citizen or subject of a foreign state. Lists exceptions, such as where a class action brought by shareholders solely involves a claim concerning a covered security or relating to the internal governance of a corporation.Sets forth procedures for removal of interstate class actions to U.S. district court and for review of orders remanding class actions to State courts.Grants the courts of appeals jurisdiction of appeals from orders of the U.S. district courts granting or denying class certification under rule 23 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, if notice of appeal is filed within ten days after entry of the order.
People & committees
Rep. Goodlatte, Bob [R-VA-6] · R–VA
Legislative record
A procedural vote is different from passage. Passage in one chamber does not establish enactment. Explore the glossary.
Committee on the Judiciary. Hearings held.
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 233 - 190 (Roll no. 62).
House roll call 62 · Individual votesPassed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 233 - 190 (Roll no. 62).
House roll call 62 · Individual votesOn motion to recommit with instructions Failed by recorded vote: 191 - 235 (Roll no. 61).
House roll call 61 · Individual votesThe previous question on the motion to recommit with instructions was ordered without objection.
Floor summary: DEBATE - The House proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the motion to recommit with instructions. The instructions contained in the motion require the bill to be reported back to the House with an amendment providing that any defendant who is a knowing participant in any conspiracy to hijack any aircraft or commit an act of terrorism shall not be entitled to remove a class action to federal court pursuant to section 1332(d) of title 28, as added by section 4 of the bill.
Mr. Sandlin moved to recommit with instructions to Judiciary.
The House adopted the amendment in the nature of a substitute as agreed to by the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union.
The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
The House rose from the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union to report H.R. 2341.
DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 367, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 20 minutes of debate on the Hart amendment.
VOTE POSTPONED - At the conclusion of debate on the amendment, the Chair put the question on the adoption of the amendment and by voice vote announced that the noes had prevailed. Mr. Frank demanded a recorded vote and made a point of no quorum. Pursuant to clause 8 of Rule XX, the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment and the point of no quorum was considered withdrawn.
DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 367, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 20 minutes of debate on the Frank amendment.
VOTE POSTPONED - At the conclusion of debate on the amendment, the Chair put the question on the adoption of the amendment and by voice vote announced that the noes had prevailed. Ms. Jackson-Lee of Texas demanded a recorded vote and made a point of no quorum. Pursuant to clause 8 of Rule XX, the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment and the point of no quorum was considered withdrawn.
DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 367, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 20 minutes of debate on the Jackson-Lee, (TX) amendment.
DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 367, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 20 minutes of debate on the Conyers amendment.
VOTE POSTPONED - At the conclusion of debate on the amendment, the Chair put the question on the adoption of the amendment and by voice vote announced that the noes had prevailed. Mr. Conyers demanded a recorded vote and made a point of no quorum. Pursuant to clause 8 of Rule XX, the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment and the point of no quorum was considered withdrawn.
VOTE POSTPONED - At the conclusion of debate on the amendment, the Chair put the question on the adoption of the amendment and by voice vote announced that the noes had prevailed. Ms. Lofgren demanded a recorded vote and made a point of no quorum. Pursuant to clause 8 of Rule XX, the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment and the point of no quorum was considered withdrawn.
DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 367, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 20 minutes of debate on the Lofgren amendment.
DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 367, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 20 minutes of debate on the Keller amendment.
VOTE POSTPONED - At the conclusion of debate on the amendment, the Chair put the question on the adoption of the amendment and by voice vote announced that the noes had prevailed. Mr. Conyers demanded a recorded vote and made a point of no quorum. Pursuant to clause 8 of Rule XX, the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment and the point of no quorum was considered withdrawn.
Debate - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 367, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 20 minutes of debate on the Waters amendment.
VOTE POSTPONED - At the conclusion of debate on the amendment, the Chair put the question on the adoption of the amendment and by voice vote announced that the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Nadler demanded a recorded vote and made a point of no quorum. Pursuant to clause 8 of Rule XX, the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment and the point of no quorum was considered withdrawn.
DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 367, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 20 minutes of debate on the Nadler amendment.
GENERAL DEBATE - The Committee of the Whole proceeded with one hour of general debate on H.R. 2341.
House resolved itself into the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union pursuant to H. Res. 367 and Rule XXIII.
The Speaker designated the Honorable John Linder to act as Chairman of the Committee.
Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 2341 with 1 hour of general debate. Previous question shall be considered as ordered without intervening motions except motion to recommit with or without instructions. It shall be in order to consider as an original bill for the purpose of amendment under the five-minute rule the amendment in the nature of a substitute recommended by the Committee on the Judiciary now printed in the bill. All points of order against consideration of the bill are waived. Measure will be considered read. Specified amendments are in order.
Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 367. (consideration: CR H847-886)
Rule H. Res. 367 passed House.
Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 367 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 2341 with 1 hour of general debate. Previous question shall be considered as ordered without intervening motions except motion to recommit with or without instructions. It shall be in order to consider as an original bill for the purpose of amendment under the five-minute rule the amendment in the nature of a substitute recommended by the Committee on the Judiciary now printed in the bill. All points of order against consideration of the bill are waived. Measure will be considered read. Specified amendments are in order.
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 213.
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Judiciary. H. Rept. 107-370. (text of measure as reported in House: CR 3/13/2002 H857-859)
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Judiciary. H. Rept. 107-370.(text of measure as reported in House: CR 3/13/2002 H857-859)
Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 16 - 10.
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Mr. Armey asked unanimous consent that the Committee on Judiciary have until 7:00 p.m. on March 11 to file a report on H.R. 2341. Agreed to without objection.
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Committee Hearings Held.
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E1234)
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Primary sources
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Source last updated: Aug 10, 2026. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.
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