Washington, DC– Today a bipartisan majority passed a bill to hold Iran accountable for the acts of terror they have supported over the last decades by preventing sanctions from being lifted until Iran compensates the American citizens who were victimized by terrorist acts supported and funded by Iran. The Justice for Victims of Iranian Terrorism Act (H.R. 3457) passed with bipartisan support, despite opposition from the Obama Administration.

The nuclear agreement reached with Iran provides more than $100 billion in sanctions relief. At the same time U.S. courts have awarded $43.5 billion in damages to victims of terrorist activities supported by Iran.

“This should be a straightforward issue – you are either standing for justice for American victims or you are trying to appease the world’s largest state sponsor of terror,” said McKinley. “These men and women were killed, tortured, and kidnapped by terrorists funded by Iran. They and their families deserve compensation.”

“Tens of billions in judgments have gone unpaid over the last twenty years with little chance Iran responding,” said McKinley. “We now hold the power to force them. If Iran wants sanctions lifted, they should pay up.”

Dozens of Americans have been victimized by Iran and its proxies like Hamas and Hezbollah in terrorist acts ranging from bus bombings in Israel to the hijacking of an airliner in 1985.

This includes Frank Regier who was born in Montgomery, WV and grew up in West Liberty. Regier was a professor at American University in Beirut when he was abducted in 1984. He was later awarded a $4.4 million judgment.

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