RELEASE: Honoring 9/11, Gottheimer, Lawler, Malliotakis, Molinaro, Moskowitz Fight for Bipartisan Bill to Support Victims of State-Sponsored Terrorism

Above: Gottheimer with bipartisan Members of Congress and victims of state-sponsored terrorism.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Representatives Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5), Mike Lawler (NY-17), Nicole Malliotakis (NY-11), Marc Molinaro (NY-19), and Jared Moskowitz (FL-23) stood with victims of state-sponsored terror, including 9/11 family members, to fight for the bipartisan American Victims of Terror Compensation Act, which provides funding for the United States Victims of State Sponsored Terrorism Fund, or USVSST Fund. The USVSST Fund was established in 2015 to help victims of terror attacks claim judgments delivered in U.S. courts against State Sponsors of Terror, including Iran, Cuba, North Korea, and Syria.

Video from the announcement can be found here.

Since coming to Congress, Gottheimer has worked around the clock and across the aisle to deliver real, consistent relief to 9/11 victims, first responders, and their families. In 2019, he worked to pass the bipartisan Never Forget the Heroes Act, which established a victim compensation fund. 

The American Victims of Terror Compensation Act has been broadly endorsed by 9/11 victims’ advocacy groups, including 9/11 Children for Justice, 9/11 Justice, 9/11 Families United, and the Family Steering Committee of the 9/11 Commission.

“Today, we say a prayer for the innocent souls lost on 9/11, their families, and our country. We denounce the evil of terrorism — ISIS, al-Qaeda, lone-wolf terror, and more. And, we recommit to getting this bill passed — and justice delivered for the victims and their families,” said Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5). “More than twenty years on, we have a solemn duty: first, to stand up to terrorism at home and abroad, and second, to support the victims of state-sponsored terror attacks like 9/11 and their families.”

“The American Victims of Terror Compensation Act will ensure the loved ones of terror victims, including our brave 9/11 families, receive the critical support they need and deserve,” said Congressman Mme Lawler (NY-17). “We simply cannot let this fund run dry on these families. That’s why I joined members of both parties to introduce this legislation and it is critical that we get it across the finish line as swiftly as possible. Today I joined Republican and Democratic colleagues along with Americans who lost loved ones on 9/11, to reiterate our call to get this bill passed as swiftly as possible.”

“I was a college student in DC on September 11th, as I watched smoke billow from the Pentagon from my window. For two decades since that awful day, families of those lost on 9/11 have begged Congress to do the obviously right thing. I want to thank my colleagues from New Jersey and New York for leading this effort and reminding us of our obligation to compensate American victims of state-sponsored terrorism,” said Congressman Jared Moskowitz (FL-23).

The full text of the American Victims of Terror Compensation Act can be found here.

Gottheimer was joined by Representatives Mike Lawler (NY-17), Marc Molinaro (NY-19), Nicole Malliotakis (NY-11), and Jared Moskowitz (FL-23) and family members of victims of state-sponsored terrorist attacks. 

Below: Gottheimer with bipartisan Members of Congress and victims of state-sponsored terrorism.

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