Congressman Bob Goodlatte’s Weekly Column: September 30, 2016
Justice for Victims of Terror | By Congressman Bob Goodlatte
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Washington, DC (September 30, 2016) -
September 11, 2001, is a day America will not forget. You probably know exactly where you were and what you were doing when tragedy struck at the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and in a field in western Pennsylvania. But even though 15 years have passed, for the families of those killed or injured on September 11th the memory of that day is all the more real.
These families and individuals deserve the opportunity to hold those responsible for the September 11th attacks accountable, including foreign governments that may have played a role, possibly Saudi Arabia. However, our nation’s laws did not provide such a legal avenue in the courts. The law needed to be changed to provide a path to justice for those victims of terrorist attacks on America, and that’s why Congress just approved the Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act, or JASTA.
JASTA essentially makes two changes to existing federal law. By amending the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act, JASTA makes it possible for Americans through the courts to sue or seek compensation from any foreign government that is found to have sponsored a terrorist attack on U.S. soil. It also amends the Anti-Terrorism Act to clarify that if someone knowingly aids and abets a designated foreign terrorist organization in carrying out a terrorist attack, a U.S. person who is injured as a result may bring a civil lawsuit to recover damages.
Despite passage by Congress in early September, the President vetoed JASTA. However, just a few days ago, for the first time in President Obama’s tenure in office, Congress voted in a wide show of bipartisanship to override the President’s veto by a two-thirds vote in each chamber. This legislation is now the law of the land.
The question posed by JASTA is whether we should allow those who harm our citizens to hide behind legal barriers that are required by neither the Constitution nor international law, or whether we should permit U.S. victims to hold those who sponsor terrorism in our country fully accountable in our courts. I think that the answer to this question is clear.
By overriding the President’s veto, Congress sent a strong message to the perpetrators of terror. We can no longer allow those who injure and kill Americans to hide behind legal loopholes, denying justice to the victims of terrorism. With the passage of the Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act, the families of those who lost loved ones on September 11th finally have a path forward to seek justice. Additionally, it will aid in deterring other countries from playing a future role in terrorist attacks on American soil. While the fight against terrorism continues, this is just one more step forward to help keep our communities safe. | | | | | |
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