Davis Supports Justice for Victims of Iranian Terrorism

Statement

U.S. Rep. Rodney Davis (R-Ill.) today voted for H.R. 3457, the Justice for Victims of Iranian Terrorism Act, which passed the House by a vote of 251-173. H.R. 3457 requires President Obama to certify that the billions of dollars in damages that U.S. courts have awarded Americans victimized by Iran have been paid before it receives any sanctions relief.

"If this administration is going to negotiate with the world's leader of state-sponsored terrorism, the very least they could do is get justice for the hundreds of Americans who have been victimized by this callous regime," said Davis. "We've seen our military members abducted, tortured, and killed, American students killed in suicide bombings, and journalists charged with espionage and held hostage for months. The failure of the U.S. to get the compensation owed to these Americans and their families is just one of a long list of concessions that makes this agreement such a bad deal for the American people."

To date, U.S. courts have awarded hundreds of Americans victimized by the Iranian regime nearly $43.5 billion in damages for acts of state-sponsored terrorism, all of which have gone unpaid.

Additionally, Davis has cosponsored H.R. 3338, the Justice for Former American Hostages in Iran Act, which would allow justice for the dozens of American men and women, including Paul Lewis of Champaign County, a U.S. Marine stationed at the our embassy in Tehran, who were taken hostage by Iran in 1979 to seek judgement in court. Currently, these hostages remain the only victims of state-sponsored terrorism who cannot seek a judgment in U.S. courts.

"The bill passed by the House today is a positive step toward ensuring Americans victimized by Iran receive the compensation they are owed but we cannot forget about the dozens of Americans who were held hostage by the Iranians in 1979 that cannot seek justice," said Davis. "Paul Lewis and the other Americans who were in constant fear for their life for 444 days deserve the ability to seek justice in our courts. I will continue to push for passage of this bill because these Americans deserve the right to their day in court."

"My experience made me appreciate life every single day and realize how exceptional the people of this country really are," said Lewis. "The welcome we received when we returned home was truly unbelievable and something I will never forget."

To secure the release of the hostages, the Carter Administration agreed to the Algiers Accords, which barred the hostages from bringing claims against the government of Iran for its role in orchestrating the embassy takeover. H.R. 3338 uses fines and penalties generated by the violation of U.S. sanctions against Iran, as well as other potential assets, to compensate the former hostages and their families.

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