Former Hostage Compensation Act of 1999

Referred to the Subcommittee on International Operations and Human Rights.

Congressional Research Service

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in House · Jun 14, 1999

Former Hostage Compensation Act of 1999 - Declares it is congressional policy that the Department of State should make a full effort to compensate former American hostages taken and held in Lebanon as victims of international terrorism for injuries related to their imprisonment. Authorizes the Secretary of State, subject to available appropriations, to pay to each plaintiff in the case of Cicippio v. Islamic Republic of Iran (Civil Action No. 96-1805 (TPJ)) who requests such payment a sum not to exceed $10 million to a former hostage or $4 million to the spouse of a former hostage.

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People & committees

Who introduced it

Rep. Hunter, Duncan [R-CA-52] · R–CA

Committees

Foreign Affairs Committee

2 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Legislative record

Actions

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Sep 1, 1999
Referred to the Subcommittee on International Operations and Human Rights.
Jun 14, 1999
Referred to the House Committee on International Relations.
Jun 14, 1999
Introduced in House
Jun 14, 1999
Introduced in House

Primary sources

Bill text & related measures

Text links open the official source. We currently store references to these documents.

Introduced in House · Jun 14, 1999 Formatted Text PDF

Related bills identified by Congress.gov

No related bills are listed in this snapshot. This does not establish whether the proposal has appeared in earlier Congresses.

Source last updated: Aug 20, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

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Objective

Analyze H.R.2189 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

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Discuss H.R.2189, 106th Congress: Former Hostage Compensation Act of 1999

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/106th-congress/house-bill/2189

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 1999-06-14.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/106/bills/hr2189/BILLS-106hr2189ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-08-20T14:19:45Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Analyze H.R.2189 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

Fairness and public impact

Progressive lens

Examine H.R.2189 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

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Discuss H.R.2189, 106th Congress: Former Hostage Compensation Act of 1999

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/106th-congress/house-bill/2189

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 1999-06-14.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/106/bills/hr2189/BILLS-106hr2189ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-08-20T14:19:45Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine H.R.2189 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

Institutions and government scope

Conservative lens

Examine H.R.2189 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

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Discuss H.R.2189, 106th Congress: Former Hostage Compensation Act of 1999

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/106th-congress/house-bill/2189

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 1999-06-14.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/106/bills/hr2189/BILLS-106hr2189ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-08-20T14:19:45Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine H.R.2189 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

Individual rights and government power

Liberty lens

Examine H.R.2189 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss H.R.2189, 106th Congress: Former Hostage Compensation Act of 1999

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/106th-congress/house-bill/2189

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 1999-06-14.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/106/bills/hr2189/BILLS-106hr2189ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-08-20T14:19:45Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine H.R.2189 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.