H.R. 5167 · 110th Congress
Justice for Victims of Torture and Terrorism Act
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Passed the House without a recorded vote, then expired. It passed by voice vote or unanimous consent, which don't record how each member voted, but didn't become law before the 110th Congress ended.
38 cosponsors · 35 D, 3 R
28 signed on when it was introduced; the rest joined later. Cosponsors who withdrew aren't shown.
- House Introduced Jan 29, 2008
- House Passed Sep 15, 2008
Justice for Victims of Torture and Terrorism Act - Terminates the authority of the President to grant the government of Iraq immunity from actions by victims of terrorism seeking compensation for injuries caused by officials, employees, or agents of the government of Iraq during the 1991 Gulf War when such government was classified as a state sponsor of…
What it does: CRS summary · Passed House amended · Sep 15, 2008
Justice for Victims of Torture and Terrorism Act - Terminates the authority of the President to grant the government of Iraq immunity from actions by victims of terrorism seeking compensation for injuries caused by officials, employees, or agents of the government of Iraq during the 1991 Gulf War when such government was classified as a state sponsor of terrorism, unless the President certifies to Congress that Iraq has adequately settled specified claims of U.S. soldiers and civilians held in Iraq as POWs and hostages and subject to state-sponsored torture and terrorism.
Provides an exception to the termination of such authority if the President certifies that: (1) Iraq has not compensated any foreign persons or entities for claims or liabilities incurred by or under the control of the Saddam Hussein regime, including commercial or financial claims and claims for acts against individuals similar to those described above; or (2) negotiations are ongoing with Iraq to settle the American claims, and the President believes that those negotiations are being conducted in good faith and could lead to a satisfactory settlement. Limits the latter certification period to 180 days (with authorized renewals by the President).
Defines various adequate settlement amounts, depending on the victim, length of torture or detainment, etc.
Prohibits the use of any U.S. funds to pay any claim covered under this Act.
Written by the nonpartisan Congressional Research Service. All summary versions on Congress.gov
About this bill and sources
Official title: Justice for Victims of Torture and Terrorism Act
Latest action (Sep 16, 2008): Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services.
Policy area: Law · Origin: House · Introduced: Jan 29, 2008
Official page on Congress.gov · Bill text (GovInfo) · Status record (XML)
- House Introduced Jan 29, 2008
- House Passed Sep 15, 2008
No recorded floor vote found.