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HR 5167 110th Congress House Law Armed Forces and National Security Congress Congress and foreign policy Congressional oversight Crime and Law Enforcement Damages Government Operations and Politics Government liability (International law) International Affairs International claims Iraq Iraq compilation Middle East and North Africa Persian Gulf War President and foreign policy Presidential powers Prisoners of war State-sponsored terrorism Terrorism

Justice for Victims of Torture and Terrorism Act

Introduced: January 29, 2008 See on congress.gov
 Everywhere this bill has been 16 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Sep 16, 2008
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services.
Sep 15, 2008
The title of the measure was amended. Agreed to without objection.
Sep 15, 2008
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
Sep 15, 2008
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H8098-8100)
Sep 15, 2008
Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.(text: CR H8098-8100)
Sep 15, 2008
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 5167.
Sep 15, 2008
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H8098-8103)
Sep 15, 2008
Mr. Scott (VA) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
Sep 15, 2008
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 545.
Sep 15, 2008
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Judiciary. H. Rept. 110-844.
Jul 30, 2008
Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.
Jul 30, 2008
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Jul 28, 2008
Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security Discharged.
Feb 25, 2008
Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security.
Jan 29, 2008
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
Jan 29, 2008
Introduced in House
 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Justice for Victims of Torture and Terrorism Act - Terminates the authority of the President to grant the government of Iraq immunity from actions by victims of terrorism seeking compensation for injuries caused by officials, employees, or agents of the government of Iraq during the 1991 Gulf War when such government was classified as a state sponsor of terrorism, unless the President certifies to Congress that Iraq has adequately settled specified claims of U.S. soldiers and civilians held in Iraq as POWs and hostages and subject to state-sponsored torture and terrorism.

Provides an exception to the termination of such authority if the President certifies that: (1) Iraq has not compensated any foreign persons or entities for claims or liabilities incurred by or under the control of the Saddam Hussein regime, including commercial or financial claims and claims for acts against individuals similar to those described above; or (2) negotiations are ongoing with Iraq to settle the American claims, and the President believes that those negotiations are being conducted in good faith and could lead to a satisfactory settlement. Limits the latter certification period to 180 days (with authorized renewals by the President).

Defines various adequate settlement amounts, depending on the victim, length of torture or detainment, etc.

Prohibits the use of any U.S. funds to pay any claim covered under this Act.

What's happening now September 16, 2008

Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services.

 Committees of jurisdiction 3