Press Releases
In Historic Veto Override Congress Approves Legislation to Ensure Justice for Victims of Terrorism
Washington,
September 28, 2016
Both the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate voted to override the President’s veto of The Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act. The legislation allows the victims and families of victims of terror attacks to sue foreign states that aid and abet acts of terror on U.S. soil.
“Victims, and their families, who have had their lives torn apart by acts of terror will finally have their day in court,” said Congressman Posey who voted in favor of the bill. Specifically, the legislation amends the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act to narrow the scope of foreign sovereign immunity that’s granted to foreign states, their employees or agents to allow for lawsuits by victims of terrorist acts on U.S. soil. It would also ensure U.S. district courts have jurisdiction over certain terrorism-related cases. The legislation applies to any civil action that arises out of a terrorism-related injury to a person, property, or business on or after September 11, 2001. |
