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S 2465 101th Congress Senate

Antiterrorism Act of 1990

Official title: A bill to provide a new civil cause of action in Federal law for acts of international terrorism that provides extraterritorial jurisdiction over terrorist acts abroad against United States nationals.

Introduced: April 19, 1990 Introduced by: Grassley, Chuck Republican · Iowa See on congress.gov
Crime and Law Enforcement Americans in foreign countriesCivil actions and liabilityCivil procedureConspiracy
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DamagesExtraterritorialityFines (Penalties)HomicideImmunities of foreign statesJurisdictionLimitation of actionsMurderTerrorismVictims of terrorism
This bill died when the 101st Congress ended
It never became law before the 101st Congress (1989–1990) adjourned, and bills don't carry over to the next Congress. It would have to be reintroduced. You can still save it for reference, but it won't receive updates.
 Everywhere this bill has been 6 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Sep 25, 1990
Subcommittee on Courts and Administrative Practice. Approved for full committee consideration with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
Jul 25, 1990
Subcommittee on Courts and Administrative Practice. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 101-1193.
Jul 23, 1990
Star Print ordered s.2465.
Jul 9, 1990
Referred to Subcommittee on Courts and Administrative Practice.
Apr 19, 1990
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Judiciary.
Apr 19, 1990
Introduced in Senate
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 Latest action September 25, 1990

Subcommittee on Courts and Administrative Practice. Approved for full committee consideration with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Antiterrorism Act of 1990 - Amends the Federal criminal code to define the term "international terrorism" to include activities that: (1) involve violent acts that are a violation of Federal or State laws, or that would be a criminal violation if committed within the jurisdiction of the United States or of any State; (2) appear to be intended to intimidate or coerce a civilian population, influence the policy of a government by intimidation or coercion, or affect the conduct of a government by assassination or kidnapping; and (3) occur primarily outside U.S. territorial jurisdiction or transcend national boundaries.

Authorizes any U.S. national injured in his person, property, or business by reason of an act of international terrorism to bring a civil action in U.S. district court and recover treble damages and the cost of the suit, including attorney's fees. Specifies that a final judgment or decree rendered in favor of the United States in certain classes of criminal proceedings (such as those involving the murder of a foreign official, kidnapping, hostage taking, killing of a U.S. national, or an aircraft piracy-related offense) or in favor of any foreign state in a criminal proceeding to the extent that such judgment or decree may be accorded full faith and credit under U.S. law shall stop the defendant from denying the essential allegations of the criminal offense in a subsequent civil proceeding under this Act.

Sets forth provisions with respect to jurisdiction and venue for and limitation of, such civil actions.

Amends the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act to make an exception to the jurisdictional immunity of a foreign State in any case in which damages are sought for injuries sustained from terrorist acts or any other violation of international law which was perpetrated or aided by such State or any official or employee acting within the scope of his office or employment.

 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 2
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APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). S. 2465: Antiterrorism Act of 1990. 101st Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/101-S-2465/
MLA
"S. 2465: Antiterrorism Act of 1990." 101st Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/101-S-2465/.
Bluebook (legal)
S. 2465, 101st Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/101-S-2465/.
Markdown link
[S. 2465: Antiterrorism Act of 1990](https://openamerica.io/bill/101-S-2465/)
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