PlainBillCongress, translated.Legislation. Context. Public interest.Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 114.
Congressional Research Service
Version 17 · Reported to House with amendment(s) · Jul 21, 2011
Lawsuit Abuse Reduction Act of 2011 - Amends the sanctions provisions in Rule 11 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure to require the court to impose an appropriate sanction on any attorney, law firm, or party that has violated, or is responsible for the violation of, the rule with regard to representations to the court. Requires any sanction to compensate parties injured by the conduct in question.
Removes a provision that prohibits filing a motion for sanctions if the challenged paper, claim, defense, contention, or denial is withdrawn or appropriately corrected within 21 days after service or within another time the court sets.
Authorizes the court to impose additional sanctions, including striking the pleadings, dismissing the suit, nonmonetary directives, or penalty payments if warranted for effective deterrence.
Prohibits this Act from being construed as barring or impeding the assertion or development of new claims, defenses, or remedies under federal, state, or local laws, including civil rights laws, or under the Constitution.
People & committees
Rep. Smith, Lamar [R-TX-21] · R–TX
Legislative record
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Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 114.
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Judiciary. H. Rept. 112-174.
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Judiciary. H. Rept. 112-174.
Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 20 - 13.
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Subcommittee on the Constitution Discharged.
Referred to the Subcommittee on the Constitution.
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Primary sources
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Source last updated: Dec 5, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.
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