A bill to clarify and reaffirm a cause of action and Federal court jurisdiction for certain claims against the Government of Iran.

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations. (text of measure as introduced: CR S13966)

Congressional Research Service

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in Senate · Dec 20, 2001

Establishes that an individual held hostage by Iran during the time period between November 4, 1979, and January 20, 1981, or an immediate relative of such a person may sue the Government of Iran for having been taken hostage or for the following results of the hostage taking: (1) death; (2) disability; and (3) other injury, including pain and suffering and financial loss. Directs that no United States court shall decline to hear or to determine on its merits a case brought against Iran seeking claims for the above reasons.

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People & committees

Who introduced it

Sen. Harkin, Tom [D-IA] · D–IA

Committees

Foreign Relations Committee

5 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.

Dec 20, 2001
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations. (text of measure as introduced: CR S13966)
Dec 20, 2001
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S13965-13966)
Dec 20, 2001
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 · Dec 20, 2001 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: Jan 14, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

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Neutral evidence review

Objective

Analyze S.1877 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.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss S.1877, 107th Congress: A bill to clarify and reaffirm a cause of action and Federal court jurisdiction for certain claims against the Government of Iran.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/107th-congress/senate-bill/1877

Text version to examine: Introduced in Senate · 2001-12-20.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/107/bills/s1877/BILLS-107s1877is.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-01-14T19:01:43Z. 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.1877 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.1877 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.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss S.1877, 107th Congress: A bill to clarify and reaffirm a cause of action and Federal court jurisdiction for certain claims against the Government of Iran.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/107th-congress/senate-bill/1877

Text version to examine: Introduced in Senate · 2001-12-20.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/107/bills/s1877/BILLS-107s1877is.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-01-14T19:01:43Z. 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.1877 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.1877 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.1877, 107th Congress: A bill to clarify and reaffirm a cause of action and Federal court jurisdiction for certain claims against the Government of Iran.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/107th-congress/senate-bill/1877

Text version to examine: Introduced in Senate · 2001-12-20.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/107/bills/s1877/BILLS-107s1877is.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-01-14T19:01:43Z. 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.1877 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.1877 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.1877, 107th Congress: A bill to clarify and reaffirm a cause of action and Federal court jurisdiction for certain claims against the Government of Iran.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/107th-congress/senate-bill/1877

Text version to examine: Introduced in Senate · 2001-12-20.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/107/bills/s1877/BILLS-107s1877is.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-01-14T19:01:43Z. 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.1877 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.