Senate passes bill allowing 9/11 victims to sue sponsors of terrorism

The Senate passed a bill Thursday that allows 9/11 victims to sue foreign sponsors of terrorism.

Sen. Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) got unanimous consent to pass S. 1535, the Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act. The bill amends the federal criminal code to allow foreign states and other foreign entities to be sued for damages if they are sponsors of terrorism.

{mosads}“The bill we passed today helps victims of terrorism seek justice,” Schumer said on the Senate floor Thursday. “Every entity including foreign states will be held accountable if they are found responsible for the heinous acts such as the 9/11 terrorist attack.”

Schumer said the bill was needed because a New York court threw out a lawsuit from 9/11 victims trying to sue countries that helped fund the attacks.

Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) sponsored the measure and said it was an example of bipartisanship he hopes carries over into the next Congress.

The bill now heads to the House for further consideration.