9/11 Families United Launches Historic Ad Campaign Urging Congress To Pass Bipartisan EJVTA

WASHINGTON – 9/11 Families United today launched an historic six-figure advertising campaign calling upon Congress to stand with victims of terrorism, including the more than 10,000 Americans seeking justice for the murder of their loved ones and injured survivors on 9/11, by passing the bipartisan Ensuring Justice for Victims of Terrorism Act (H.R.4951/S.2082).

“Guaranteeing the right to pursue accountability from anyone and everyone who had a hand in these most heinous crimes requires Congress to act now,” said Terry Strada, National Chair of 9/11 Families United. “It is not too late for Congress to stand with the 9/11 community and leave no doubt about its support for greater transparency about our darkest day, justice and accountability.”

This is a first-of-its-kind campaign by the 9/11 community to ensure Congress upholds promises made to terrorism victims – and the stakes for the American people could not be any higher.

  • Click here to read a letter 9/11 Families United sent to now President-elect Trump on the eve of this year’s anniversary of 9/11 asking him to support the EJVTA

In the wake of recent declassifications of evidence withheld from the 9/11 Commission, including a casing video of the U.S. Capitol recorded by a Saudi intelligence agent during the period al-Qaeda is believed to have been selecting its targets, thousands of Americans have urged Congress to pass the EJVTA. They believe we must have greater transparency about the 9/11 Attacks and ensure the 9/11 community has the opportunity to pursue accountability in U.S. courts from foreign actors who sponsored and aided the attacks.

CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE AD, “WE MUST ACT”

The EJVTA is a modest, technical corrections bill to address three drafting oversights in the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA) and the Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act (JASTA).  These technical corrections break no new policy ground, but simply:

  • Reaffirm that the ATA’s aiding and abetting liability cause of action applies as to foreign states;
    • provide that those facing judgments face the normal execution procedures in like cases; and
    • ensure that all damaged and injured parties can bring their claims.
  • The EJVTA is supported by over 99% of September 11 victims’ family members, injured survivors, and those who are sick and dying from 9/11-related illnesses—more than 10,000 Americans seeking justice for the murder of their loved ones and injured survivors.
  • These technical corrections do not relate to President Obama’s ill-advised veto of JASTA in 2016, which Congress easily overrode (97-1; 348-77). President Obama had concerns about the sovereign immunity portions of the bill, predicting dire international consequences that never materialized in any form whatsoever. President Obama did not express any objections to the provisions addressed by the EJVTA, nor did those who supported his veto.

Since JASTA’s passage, the 9/11 community has been pursuing justice and accountability in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York. That court’s misinterpretations of JASTA have made EJVTA necessary.

About 9/11 Families United:

9/11 Families United is an organization consisting of family members of those murdered in the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, as well as many of those who survived, were injured or sickened from the attacks. More information is at www.911familiesunited.org.

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