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Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act

Committee on the Judiciary. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in Senate · Nov 17, 2011

Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act - Amends the federal judicial code to include among the exceptions to U.S. jurisdictional immunity of foreign states any statutory or common law tort claim arising out of an act of extrajudicial killing, aircraft sabotage, hostage taking, terrorism, or the provision of material support or resources for such an act, or any claim for contribution or indemnity relating to a claim arising out of such an act.

Amends the federal criminal code to: (1) impose liability on, and grant U.S. district courts personal jurisdiction over, any person who aids, abets, provides material support or resources to, or conspires with a person who commits an act of international terrorism that injures a U.S. national; (2) repeal provisions prohibiting civil actions against foreign states or foreign officials for damages related to acts of terrorism; and (3) extend from 4 to 15 years the limitation period for bringing an action for civil damages resulting from an act of international terrorism and allow previously time-barred cases that would have been timely filed under such extended limitation period to be refiled within 90 days of the enactment of this Act.

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Who introduced it

Sen. Schumer, Charles E. [D-NY] · D–NY

Committees

  • Judiciary Committee
9 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Actions

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  1. Committee on the Judiciary. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.

  2. Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

  3. Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S7710-7711)

  4. Introduced in Senate

Bill text & related measures

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Related bills identified by Congress.gov

Source last updated: Aug 10, 2026. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

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