American victims of state-sponsored terrorism and their families gathered on July 20 to hold a demonstration on Capitol Hill, urging Congress to support the stand-alone version of Amendment 1120 to the NDAA. The bipartisan legislation, introduced by Representatives Laura Gillen (D-N.Y.) and Nicole Malliotakis (R-N.Y.), would strengthen the U.S. Victims of State Sponsored Terrorism Fund (USVSST Fund) and protect a path to justice for victims seeking unpaid terrorism judgments. The legislation would strengthen the Fund while preserving repayment through future terrorism-related recoveries. Despite winning judgments in U.S. courts, many victims have yet to recover compensation.
“Over 100 American victims of state-sponsored terrorism and their families traveled from all over the country to D.C. with one united message: Don’t Leave Us Behind. They met with lawmakers and policymakers for days and continue to fight to be heard on a long road to justice. We hope this served as a reminder that behind every judgment is a family with lives forever changed by the decisions and actions of a state-sponsor of terrorism,” Motley Rice attorney Jodi Flowers said.
Before heading to several Congressional meetings, survivors and victim family members highlighted the urgency of this legislation and urged the Administration to send a clear message that they stand by U.S. victims when considering agreements with Iran. Individuals speaking and attending represented survivors or victims of numerous state-sponsored terrorist attacks, including:
- 1983 Beirut Embassy Bombing
- 1983 Marine Barracks Bombing
- 1984 Beirut Embassy Annex Bombing
- 1985 TWA Flight 847 Hijacking
- 1996 Khobar Towers Bombing
- 1998 East Africa Embassy Bombings
- 2001 September 11th Attacks
- Iraq War Gold Star Families
- 2016 Bastille Day Attack – Nice, France
- American Victims of the October 7 Attacks
