[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 162 (2016), Part 9]
[Senate]
[Pages 12102-12103]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




               JUSTICE AGAINST SPONSORS OF TERRORISM ACT

  Mr. CORNYN. Mr. President, this weekend is the 15th anniversary of 
the terrible attacks on our country on September 11, 2001. It is 
impossible to forget the horrible events of that day and the pain, 
grief, and mourning that our country felt. I think it is one of those 
seminal events in my life--and I am sure I am not alone--that I will 
always remember what I was doing and where I was when those planes hit 
the World Trade Center. It reminds me of when President John F. Kennedy 
was assassinated when I was much younger. I remember where I was and 
what I was doing.
  I know communities across the country will spend time on this 
anniversary of 9/11 honoring the lives of the victims, their families, 
and the friends that they left behind, as well as the first responders 
and volunteers who put others before themselves in the wake of so much 
destruction.
  One way that Congress can honor the victims of that day and lend 
support to their families is by sending the Justice Against Sponsors of 
Terrorism Act to President Obama's desk for his signature. This bill 
would enable Americans and their family members to pursue justice 
against those who sponsor acts of terrorism on the U.S. homeland, such 
as that which occurred on September 11, 2001.
  A few months ago this legislation passed unanimously in the Senate. 
Again, there is not much legislation that passes this body unanimously, 
but this did.
  I believe unanimous passage of this bill sends an unmistakable 
message that we will combat terrorism with every tool we have. Just as 
importantly, we will make sure that simple justice is available to the 
victims of terrorist attacks on our soil by not erecting any 
unnecessary roadblocks to the pursuit of justice in the courts of law.
  I understand that the House of Representatives will vote on this 
legislation, perhaps as soon as today or tomorrow, and I hope they send 
a similar message to the victims and their families on this 15th 
anniversary of 9/11.

[[Page 12103]]

  Finally, I hope the President will rethink his previous statements 
expressing an intent to perhaps veto this legislation. It makes 
absolutely no sense to prevent the families who suffered losses as a 
result of terrorist attacks on our soils from having their day in court 
against whoever is responsible. This legislation does not purport to 
decide who is responsible but merely removes the impediments under the 
sovereign immunity act that prevent them from even presenting their 
case in court.
  It is time we help victims of terrorism in our country to seek 
justice, and it is time that the Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism 
Act becomes the law of the land.
  With that, I yield the floor.
  Mr. President, I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The senior assistant legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. COATS. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for 
the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

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