Benefits for Victims of International Terrorism Act of 2003

Committee on Foreign Relations. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 108-214.

Congressional Research Service

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in Senate · Jun 17, 2003

Benefits for Victims of International Terrorism Act of 2003 - Establishes the Benefits for Victims of International Terrorism Program under which monetary awards shall be made (in lieu of judgments in civil actions against the U.S. or foreign governments) to eligible individuals who are physically injured, killed, or held hostage as a result of an act of international terrorism.

Places administration of the program in the Department of State. Prescribes a claims procedure.

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People & committees

Who introduced it

Sen. Lugar, Richard G. [R-IN] · R–IN

Committees

Foreign Relations Committee

0 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Legislative record

Actions

A procedural vote is different from passage. Passage in one chamber does not establish enactment. Explore the glossary.

Jul 17, 2003
Committee on Foreign Relations. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 108-214.
Jun 17, 2003
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations. (text of measure as introduced: CR S8000-8001)
Jun 17, 2003
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S8000)
Jun 17, 2003
Introduced in Senate

Primary sources

Bill text & related measures

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

Introduced in Senate · Jun 17, 2003 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 18, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

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Analyze S.1275 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 S.1275, 108th Congress: Benefits for Victims of International Terrorism Act of 2003

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/108th-congress/senate-bill/1275

Text version to examine: Introduced in Senate · 2003-06-17.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/108/bills/s1275/BILLS-108s1275is.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-08-18T19:00:06Z. 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 S.1275 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 S.1275 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 S.1275, 108th Congress: Benefits for Victims of International Terrorism Act of 2003

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/108th-congress/senate-bill/1275

Text version to examine: Introduced in Senate · 2003-06-17.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/108/bills/s1275/BILLS-108s1275is.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-08-18T19:00:06Z. 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 S.1275 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 S.1275 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.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss S.1275, 108th Congress: Benefits for Victims of International Terrorism Act of 2003

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/108th-congress/senate-bill/1275

Text version to examine: Introduced in Senate · 2003-06-17.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/108/bills/s1275/BILLS-108s1275is.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-08-18T19:00:06Z. 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 S.1275 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 S.1275 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 S.1275, 108th Congress: Benefits for Victims of International Terrorism Act of 2003

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/108th-congress/senate-bill/1275

Text version to examine: Introduced in Senate · 2003-06-17.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/108/bills/s1275/BILLS-108s1275is.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-08-18T19:00:06Z. 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 S.1275 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.