U.S. Cattlemen’s Supports Open EAJA Act of 2010; Issues Call to Action

USCA (March 3, 2010) - The U.S. Cattlemen’s Association (USCA) today applauded the introduction of the "Open EAJA Act of 2010" by Congresswomen Cynthia Lummis (R-WY) and Stephanie Herseth-Sandlin (D-SD) in the U.S. House of Representatives on March 2. USCA membership adopted policy this year asking Congress to address the abuses of the Equal Access to Justice Act (EAJA). USCA has been working with coalition allies to halt this abuse of taxpayer dollars.

If passed, the "Open EAJA Act of 2010" would require the federal government to create a publicly searchable database of all attorney fees awarded under the Equal Access to Justice Act (EAJA) including the total amount of attorney and expert fees paid in each case, the hourly attorney fee charged and who is collecting the taxpayer’s money.

"Research shows that special interest groups are fleecing the American taxpayers of millions and millions of dollars in taxpayer funding from lawsuits filed against the federal government," commented Jon Wooster, USCA President, San Lucas, California. "These groups are literally being paid by the federal government to sue the federal government using taxpayer money to do so. The ‘Open EAJA Act of 2010' will establish much needed transparency and accountability and it is the first step to halting this blatant abuse of the legal system."

"U.S. Cattlemen are grateful to Representatives Lummis and Herseth-Sandlin for their action on this important issue," continued Wooster. "I encourage everyone to become engaged in getting this bill passed by submitting a personal letter of support and by urging your club, organization or business to submit a letter as well. It only takes a few minutes to do so and the effort will help halt these abuses."

Supporters of the "Open EAJA Act of 2010" should contact their U.S. Representatives immediately and request that they sign on to the bill as a co-sponsor.

Letters of support from organizations and individuals are also needed and should be directed to Congresswoman Cynthia Lummis at 1004 Longworth House Office Bldg., Washington, DC 20515; or Congresswoman Stephanie Herseth-Sandlin, 331 Cannon House Office Bldg., Washington, DC 20515.

You can find your elected officals’ contact information at www.uscattlemen.org.

Established in March 2007, USCA is committed to concentrating its efforts in Washington, DC to enhance and expand the cattle industry’s voice on Capitol Hill. USCA has a full-time presence in Washington, giving cattle producers across the country a strong influence on policy development. For more information go to www.uscattlemen.org.