On the recordMarch 26, 2015
Mr. President, amendment No. 839 recognizes that on November 4, 1979, 52 brave Americans were taken hostage in Tehran, Iran. They were beaten, they were held in captivity, they were tortured. Finally, the Algerian accords were negotiated, and they were released in January of 1981. But in the Algerian accords, they were prohibited from ever being compensated by litigation against the nation of Iran. Now, with the sanction money flowing into the U.S. Treasury and into the State Department, the money is there to compensate these brave individuals, of which there are 44 still remaining alive. This amendment acknowledges that Congress has the responsibility that the Supreme Court dedicated to make sure these people get compensated for the bravery they exhibited for the United States of America in captivity. I urge that this amendment be adopted. I recognize the Senator from New Jersey. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from New Jersey.
