Rep. Maloney Applauds Override of Presidential Veto of JASTA

Press Release

Following the U.S. House of Representatives 348-77 vote to override President Obama's veto on the Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act, Congresswoman Carolyn B. Maloney (NY-12) praised the bipartisan action in the House and Senate.

"While I understand and give weight to the President's concerns about the effect the passage of the Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act may have on Americans and American interests abroad, I believe that this bill is needed to clarify existing law so that U.S. nationals who were harmed by terrorist attacks committed on U.S. soil can sue those, including foreign governments, who were responsible for such attacks. With all due respect to a President that I greatly admire, there are also other, and I believe more important factors that weigh more heavily on my decision to support this bill and veto override.

"The attacks of September 11th were singular acts of appalling cruelty, barbaric crimes that knowingly targeted civilian non-combatants and violated all norms of civilized conduct -- and all of the international conventions of armed conflict.

"Though the hijackers of those planes died that day, it is virtually indisputable that there are people who conspired with them in the planning, preparation, execution and financing of those horrific acts who still walk the streets freely in foreign capitals today believing that because of a peculiar court interpretation of international law that they will not face any consequences. This bill will finally change that.

"We need JASTA to correct some short-comings in previous legislation and lower court decisions to enable the survivors and the families of the victims of such savage acts of international terrorism to seek a measure of justice through our civil courts. This bill is needed because both Congress and the Executive have affirmed that civil litigation against terror sponsors, including foreign governments, can have an important deterrent effect. This bill is needed so that those around the world who seek to do us harm know that we will Never Forget.'"

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