On the recordSeptember 28, 2016
as the Senate knows, today we are considering the President's misguided decision to veto a piece of legislation that passed this body unanimously by unanimous consent and likewise passed the House of Representatives with no dissenting votes. In our polarized politics of today, this is pretty much a close-to- miraculous occurrence because Democrats and Republicans, Senators and House Members, have all agreed the Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act, which gives the victims of a terrorist attack on our own soil an opportunity to seek the justice they deserve--all of us have come together and agreed this is appropriate and the right thing to do. At a time when international terrorism is spreading, FBI Director Comey yesterday warned of a terrorist diaspora. The Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act will send a strong message that those who sponsor terrorist attacks on American soil, including foreign governments, will answer to those victims and pay for the death and destruction they cause. Current law already allows for American victims to sue foreign governments for many different offenses committed by their employees-- commercial wrongs, assault, drunk driving, rape, human trafficking, among others. That is already part of existing law. JASTA would clarify that sponsoring an act of terrorism in America is added to that list.…
