DeLauro Calls on President Obama to Sign Justice for Victims of Terrorism Act
WASHINGTON, DC (September 14, 2016) — CongresswomanRosa DeLauro (CT-03) today wrote to President Obama urging him to sign the Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act (JASTA), which was recently passed by both the House of Representatives and Senate. The White House has indicated that the President plans to veto the legislation, despite an outpouring of support from Members of Congress and the families of September 11th victims.
"For the survivors and families left behind, we must continue to pursue justice by holding foreign actors who had any part in aiding or abetting terrorist fully accountable," DeLauro wrote in the letter. "Victims of the attacks on September 11, and their families, deserve the right to bring foreign actors before U.S. courts to answer the evidence."
"We appreciate the concerns that your Administration has raised about retaliation abroad, however, it is our view that JASTA is narrowly tailored to not apply to American activities in other countries. JASTA affirms U.S. laws rejecting equivalence between terrorism and military actions abroad," continued DeLauro. "JASTA ensures that families of Americans who have been harmed by terrorism have the tools to seek justice against foreign governments who are complicit in acts of terror. We therefore urge you to sign the legislation and give the families of September 11 victims tools to seek justice in court."
Earlier this week, DeLauro joined the Eagleson family, whose father Bruce died in the September 11th attacks, to call on the President to sign JASTA into law. The legislation would allow victims of terrorism and their families to sue foreign actors that sponsor or support violent extremism by removing practical and legal hurdles to prove liability. Under this legislation, foreign actors who have any part in aiding and abetting acts of terror would be held accountable by appearing in U.S. courts and answering to the evidence.
The full letter is available here.