To provide compensation for United States citizens taken hostage by terrorists or state sponsors of terrorism.

Summary

Authorizes the President to compensate a U.S. national, or his or her estate, who: (1) has a claim pending in U.S. court against a foreign state seeking compensation for injuries caused by an act of hostage-taking, or has obtained a judgment on such a claim that has not been fully satisfied; (2) on or after August 2, 1990, and while not serving on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces, was taken hostage by a terrorist party; or (3) was a representative plaintiff or class member in Case Number 1:00CV03110 (EGS) or a plaintiff in Case Number 1:00CV00716 (HHK) in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. Limits an award to $500,000, adjusted to reflect the annual change in the Consumer Price Index. Bars a person who has accepted compensation under this Act from commencing or maintaining a U.S. civil action seeking compensation for such injuries or damages associated with such hostage taking against a foreign state or its agencies or instrumentalities. Funds compensation under this Act from the Hostage Victims Fund (as provided by this Act) into which the President shall direct deposits from: (1) blocked assets of terrorist parties; (2) amounts received against any person in connection with the U.N. Oil for Food Program; or (3) amounts received as a result of any fine or forfeiture in connection with a violation of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, the Trading With the Enemy Act, the USA PATRIOT Act of 2001, the Bank Secrecy Act, or the Export Administration Act. Provides additional compensation for victims of the 1979 Iranian hostage taking in Tehran, including spouses and children of persons taken captive. Authorizes the return of a country's funds deposited into the Hostage Victims Fund upon termination of the country's terrorist party designation.

This text is taken from the official record. PoliticalRepo does not editorialize.

Timeline

1. 3 August 2007

   Introduced

   Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

   Source: IntroReferral

2. 3 August 2007

   Introduced

   Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

   Source: IntroReferral

3. 3 August 2007

   Introduced

   Introduced in House

   Source: IntroReferral

4. 3 August 2007

   Introduced

   Introduced in House

   Source: IntroReferral

5. 10 September 2007

   Referred

   Referred to the Subcommittee on Immigration, Citizenship, Refugees, Border Security, and International Law.

   Source: Committee

Votes

No vote records are attached yet.

Versions

• Introduced in House · 3 August 2007 · Official file

Documents

3 official files

• Introduced in House (text)

  Introduced in House · EN · 3 August 2007

  ViewDownloadOpen at official source

• Introduced in House (PDF)

  Introduced in House · EN · 3 August 2007

  ViewDownloadOpen at official source

• Introduced in House

  summary · EN · 3 August 2007

  Open at official source

Sponsors

• ILEANA ROS-LEHTINEN · R · Sponsor
• Rep. Delahunt, Bill [D-MA-10] · D · Sponsor
• Rep. Burton, Dan [R-IN-6] · R · Sponsor
• Ted Poe · R · Sponsor
• Rep. Myrick, Sue Wilkins [R-NC-9] · R · Cosponsor
• Rep. Jackson, Jesse L., Jr. [D-IL-2] · D · Cosponsor
• Rep. English, Phil [R-PA-3] · R · Cosponsor
• Rep. McCotter, Thaddeus G. [R-MI-11] · R · Cosponsor
• · hsju00 · Standing
• · hsfa00 · Standing

Related records

• related to ← To provide compensation for United States citizens taken hostage by terrorists or state sponsors of terrorism.