Rockland Reporter

Today, Rep. Mike Lawler (NY-17) formally introduced the American Victims of Terror Compensation Act, co-led by Reps. Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5), Nicole Malliotakis (NY-11), and Dan Goldman (NY-10). The announcement was made during a press conference at the US Capitol, attended by Reps. Gottheimer and Malliotakis as well as victims advocacy groups.

The proposed legislation is designed to assist victims and their families who have been impacted by various terror attacks, including 9/11, the 1983 Beirut Embassy Bombing, TWA Flight 847, the 1996 Khobar Towers bombing, the attack on the USS Pueblo, the recent October 7th attacks on Israel, the 1998 East African Embassy Bombings, among others.

The American Victims of Terror Compensation Act would ensure an immediate distribution in 2024 from the US Victims of State Sponsored Terrorism Fund (USVSST Fund). It also aims to guarantee future funding availability. The act stipulates an annual payout from the USVSST Fund to its participants going forward and requires an annual report to Congress on the Fund's status. It also calls for a GAO report every three years on administration quality and recommendations while expanding the USVSST Fund personnel from five to ten people.

“The current structure of the USVSST Fund has left it in need of these crucial corrections to ensure additional funding for years to come,” said Congressman Lawler (NY-17). “The American Victims of Terror Compensation Act will help set this right and help families in the 17th District and across the country.”

Congressman Lawler further emphasized that this bipartisan legislation ensures that families of victims continue receiving deserved funding. He stated that it is imperative not to let this fund run dry or leave rightful victims without sufficient support.

Other co-leaders expressed similar sentiments. U.S. Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5) stated that the best way to honor victims and their families is to ensure they receive full justice and accountability against their perpetrators. Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis (NY-11) acknowledged the fund's failure to operate as originally intended, leading to repeated frustration for victims of state-sponsored terrorism. Congressman Dan Goldman (NY-10) highlighted the need for justice for American families who have been victims of state-sponsored terrorism.

Victims' representatives, Angela Mistrulli, who lost her father in the 9/11 attacks, and Clayton Zook, an Air Force veteran injured in the Khobar Towers attack, expressed gratitude towards the representatives for their commitment to delivering justice.

Congressman Lawler represents New York's 17th Congressional District and is known as one of the most bipartisan members of the 118th Congress.