Toomey Seeks Justice for 9/11 Families

Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Pat Toomey (R-Pa.) released the following statement on the bipartisan Senate vote to override the President's veto of the Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act.

"Two weeks ago, I was in Somerset County, Pennsylvania celebrating the bravery of the heroes of Flight 93 who gave their lives on September 11 to save an unknown number of others. We owe these heroes an immeasurable debt. It is one I feel personally. Like many, I believe that the target of Flight 93 was the U.S Capitol, where I was working as a Member of Congress that day. Because of the heroes of Flight 93, my wife was spared being widowed, our two older children-toddlers at the time--grew up with their father, and our youngest child was able to be brought into the world.

"More than thanks we owe them justice-justice that has eluded them for 15 years now. The Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act will allow the families of 9/11 and other victims of terror attacks in the U.S. to hold accountable those who commit or sponsor such attacks. I am proud to have co-sponsored this legislation. I hope the House will join the Senate in overriding the President's veto, so this legislation can be enacted into law and the 9/11 families can finally obtain the justice they deserve."

Background

The Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act closes a loophole in existing law which has prevented 9/11 families and other victims of terrorism from holding their perpetrators accountable.

Since 1996, Americans have had the right to sue, in U.S. courts, foreign states and foreign officials for harm caused by international terrorism. Under current law, however, victims cannot collect if the foreign state's or official's actions occurred overseas--that is, if the sponsors of terrorism routed their funds through foreign banks, they cannot be sued; but if they route their funds through U.S. banks, they can be sued.

The Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act closes this loophole and allows victims of terror attacks in the U.S. to sue in either case. The legislation also clarifies that foreign states and officials who aid and abet acts of international terrorism in the U.S. can be held liable.

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