U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan (R-FL) recently released a statement calling on the U.S. Senate to pass the Justice for Victims of Iranian Terrorism Act.
The bill was recently passed in the House by a 251-173 vote. The bipartisan legislation, which Buchanan co-sponsored, would prevent the lifting of any sanctions on Iran until it has paid court-ordered damages to victims of Iranian terrorism.
“My position is clear,” Buchanan said. “No lifting of sanctions until every American victim of Iranian terrorism is compensated. I urge the Senate to do the right thing by providing justice for those who have suffered at the hands of Iranian terrorism and put the interests of American citizens over those of the Iranian regime.”
Buchanan said that in the past 35 years, Iran has been responsible for global terrorist acts that have killed hundreds of Americans. That list includes victims of the 1983 attack on the Marine barracks in Beirut, victims of the 1996 Khobar Towers bombing in Saudi Arabia, and victims of the 9/11 attacks. To that end, U.S. federal courts have made decisions finding that Iran owes as much as $43 billion in restitution to over 1,000 U.S. victims.
Under the recent nuclear arms agreement pushed forward by President Obama, Iran could receive an influx of $150 billion as economic sanctions against the country are lifted. Under the proposed bill, this windfall would not occur unless the $43 billion in compensation is paid to U.S. terrorist victims.
“As we move down the path of diplomacy, it is important to remember Iran’s track record and not be fooled by hollow verbal gestures by this dangerous regime,” Buchanan said.