On NPR’s Morning Edition yesterday, U.S. Rep. Deborah Pryce (R-Ohio), chair of the Republican Conference, suggested that volunteers are not able to help with hurricane relief efforts “because they were afraid to be sued.”

Today, Ken Suggs, president of the Association of Trial Lawyers of America, responded, saying in part:

“Instead of helping people hardest hit by the hurricane and flood, some in Congress are trying to score political points.

“The truth is, like all Americans, trial lawyers across the country are helping the victims of Hurricane Katrina, by raising more than $250,000 through Trial Lawyers Care, volunteering at shelters and collecting much-needed supplies.”

Photo of Bob Ambrogi Bob Ambrogi

Bob is a lawyer, veteran legal journalist, and award-winning blogger and podcaster. In 2011, he was named to the inaugural Fastcase 50, honoring “the law’s smartest, most courageous innovators, techies, visionaries and leaders.” Earlier in his career, he was editor-in-chief of several legal publications, including The National Law Journal, and editorial director of ALM’s Litigation Services Division.