[JURIST] Continuing his campaign for tort reform, President Bush meets with lawmakers Thursday to discuss shifting many class-action suits from state to federal courts a day after delivering a speech in Illinois on capping damage awards for medical malpractice. The administration and its Congressional supporters emphasize the costs of so called "junk lawsuits" to business and the economy, while lawyers groups opposed to the proposed changes say the costs of legal action have been exaggerated (for example, the Association of Trial Lawyers of America asserted in a Wednesday press release that Bush is faking the crisis) and that the reforms could limit victims access to justice. The White House provides a fact sheet on "The High Costs of Lawsuit Abuse" here. Bush's latest speech on medical liability reform is available here; the White provides background on medical liability issues here. AP has more.

2:30 PM ET – President Bush made this statement after his meeting with lawmakers.