Jones Votes For Justice For Victims Of Iranian Terrorism | Eastern NC Now

    WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, Congressman Walter B. Jones (NC-3) voted for H.R. 3457, The Justice for Victims of Iranian Terrorism Act, which would prohibit President Obama from relieving sanctions on Iran through the adoption of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, until the Iranian government pays court-ordered damages to the victims of Iranian state-sponsored terrorism. In the past 20 years, the government of Iran has been ordered to pay $45 billion in damages in nearly 100 cases dealing with Iranian state-sponsored terrorism settled in American courts under the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act (FSIA). The Justice for Victims of Iranian Terrorism Act passed the House 251 to 173.

    "Many American citizens have been victims of terror by the Iranian government," said Congressman Jones. "It is way past time for the families of these victims to receive the just compensation they deserve."

    On October 23, the 32nd anniversary of the Beirut barracks bombing will be commemorated. Orchestrated by the government of Iran, this attack killed 241 American Marines, many of whom were deployed from Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune in Jacksonville, North Carolina, in Congressman Jones' district. American courts awarded victims of the Beirut bombing a judgment of $9 billion, but so far Iran refuses to pay this claim and all other judgments against it for state-sponsored terrorism. A memorial dedicated to the victims of the Beirut bombing also lies in Jacksonville.

    Congressman Jones is a long-time supporter of legislation to hold Iran and other state sponsors of terrorism financially accountable for their acts of terror. In addition to cosponsoring many bills on the matter, he has voted for: the Iran Threat Reduction and Syria Human Rights Act of 2012, which allowed victims of Iranian terrorism to be compensated with almost $2 billion of Iranian assets; the Terrorism Risk Insurance Act of 2002, which allowed victims of terrorism to request a reward of terrorist assets blocked by the Department of Treasury; and the Victims of Trafficking and Violence Protection Act of 2000, which enabled terrorism victims, for the first time, to be rewarded Iranian assets in court.

    For additional information, please contact Sarah Howard in Congressman Jones' office at (202) 225-3415 or sarah.howard@mail.house.gov.