Skip to main content
HR 6305 109th Congress House International Affairs Agriculture and Food Alien property Civil actions and liability Class actions (Civil procedure) Compensation for victims of crime Crime and Law Enforcement Damages Economics and Public Finance Energy Fines (Penalties) Food relief Foreign Trade and International Finance Forfeiture Government Operations and Politics Government liability (International law) Government trust funds Hostages International claims International relief

To provide compensation for United States citizens taken hostage by terrorists or state sponsors of terrorism.

Introduced: September 29, 2006 Introduced by: Smith, Christopher H. Republican · New Jersey See on congress.gov
Sign in to write a letter Sign in to watch
 Everywhere this bill has been 3 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Oct 12, 2006
Referred to the Subcommittee on Africa, Global Human Rights and International Operations.
Sep 29, 2006
Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on International Relations, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Sep 29, 2006
Introduced in House
 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Authorizes the President to compensate a U.S. national, or his or her estate, who: (1) has a claim pending in U.S. court against a foreign state seeking compensation for injuries caused by an act of hostage-taking, or has obtained a judgment on such a claim that has not been fully satisfied; (2) on or after August 2, 1990, and while not serving on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces, was taken hostage by a terrorist party; or (3) was a representative plaintiff or class member in Case Number 1:00CV03110(EGS) in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia.

Bars a person who has accepted compensation under this Act from commencing or maintaining a U.S. civil action seeking compensation for such injuries or damages associated with such hostage taking against a foreign state or its agencies or instrumentalities.

Funds compensation under this Act from the Hostage Victims Fund, into which the President shall direct deposits from: (1) blocked assets of terrorist parties; (2) amounts received against any person in connection with the U.N. Oil for Food Program; or (3) amounts received as a result of any fine or forfeiture in connection with a violation of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, the Trading With the Enemy Act, the USA PATRIOT Act of 2001, the Bank Secrecy Act, or the Export Administration Act.

Provides additional compensation for victims of the 1979 Iranian hostage taking in Tehran, including spouses and children of persons taken captive.

What's happening now October 12, 2006

Referred to the Subcommittee on Africa, Global Human Rights and International Operations.

 Committees of jurisdiction 3