Rep. Gillen Leads Bipartisan Letter Urging President Trump to Secure Justice for 9/11 Families and Victims of Iranian State-Sponsored Terrorism

WASHINGTON, DC - Today, Congresswoman Laura Gillen (D-NY-04), Rep. Nicole Malliotakis (R-NY-11) and Rep. Mike Lawler (R-NY-17) urged President Trump to secure justice and compensation for 9/11 victims and other Americans who have suffered from Iran's state-sponsored terrorism through the U.S. Victims of State Sponsored Terrorism Fund (USVSST Fund) as part of the ongoing negotiations over an agreement with Iran. More than 20,000 Americans currently hold unpaid judgments from perpetrators of state-sponsored terrorism, including Iran.

"As members of the New York Congressional Delegation, we urge you to secure justice for 9/11 victims and other Americans who have suffered from state-sponsored terrorism," said the bipartisan group of lawmakers. "That is why we insist that any negotiation or agreement with Iran holds them accountable for terrorism and must not come at the expense of the families of victims."

The lawmakers highlight Iran's decades-long legacy of state-sponsored terrorism, which has killed hundreds of Americans, and was found liable for providing material support to Al-Qaeda in carrying out the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Victims and their families are still eligible for billions in compensation from Iran through the USVSST Fund.

"As you know, the June 17 Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the U.S. and Iran issues waivers to allow the sale of oil and proposes providing Iran with access to frozen funds. As the Administration continues negotiations with Iran, including discussions involving sanctions relief and access to frozen assets, we cannot allow Iran to receive economic benefits without addressing its outstanding obligations to American victims of terrorism," continued the group.

"As we approach the 25th anniversary of 9/11, New Yorkers will never forget the lives we lost to terrorism. That is why we insist that the victims and their families' right to justice will be prioritized and protected in any negotiation or agreement with Iran," concluded the lawmakers.

Established in 2015, the United States Victims of State Sponsored Terrorism Fund is a federal program administered by the Department of Justice to provide financial compensation to American victims and families harmed by international terrorism. As Iran refuses to honor billions of dollars in outstanding American judicial judgments, the Fund relies on assets seized from federal enforcement actions and state sponsors to ensure victims receive a measure of justice. 9/11 victims and their family members receive a dedicated 50 percent allocation of all money available for distributions from the USVSST Fund.

The full letter can be found here with the full text below:

Dear President Trump:

As members of the New York Congressional Delegation, we urge you to secure justice for 9/11 victims and other Americans who have suffered from state-sponsored terrorism. Thousands of Americans who lost family members in deadly terrorist attacks hold unpaid judgments against Iran and other supporters of international terrorism. That is why we insist that any negotiation or agreement with Iran holds them accountable for terrorism and must not come at the expense of the families of victims.

Since 1979, Iran has supported terrorism and terrorist groups that have killed hundreds of American citizens. Federal courts have also found Iran liable for providing material support to Al Qaeda in carrying out the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. The United States Victims of State Sponsored Terrorism Fund (USVSST Fund) was established to provide a path for these victims to obtain justice and compensation from the perpetrators of terrorism. However, despite obtaining legal judgments against Iran, the victims are owed billions of dollars in damages that Iran has never paid. These families have suffered and waited for too long.

The Justice for United States Victims of State Sponsored Terrorism Act requires the President to pursue recovery of these funds from state sponsors of terrorism, including during negotiations over normalizing relations or lifting sanctions. As you know, the June 17 Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the U.S. and Iran issues waivers to allow the sale of oil and proposes providing Iran with access to frozen funds. As the Administration continues negotiations with Iran, including discussions involving sanctions relief and access to frozen assets, we cannot allow Iran to receive economic benefits without addressing its outstanding obligations to American victims of terrorism.

As we approach the 25th anniversary of 9/11, New Yorkers will never forget the lives we lost to terrorism. That is why we insist that the victims and their families' right to justice will be prioritized and protected in any negotiation or agreement with Iran. Thank you for your attention to this important issue.

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