By Alabama Public Radio
Washington, D.C. – In a major reversal Thursday, U.S. Senator Richard Shelby joined the Republican majority in the Senate and supported business interests to approve an overhaul of the legal system. It was not clear until the last minute which way Shelby would vote on the issue. His decision came just more than a year after the Tuscaloosa Republican blocked a vote to limit class-action lawsuits. Shelby had been one of a few GOP critics of efforts to limit access to the courts. He gave Democrats the one vote they needed in 2003 to filibuster class-action limits that otherwise would have passed. Thursday's measure now goes to the U.S. House, which is also expected to pass it. Shelby did release a statement saying that he believes the bill prevents frivolous lawsuits while maintaining the rights of citizens to access state courts.