Hawkeye Reporter

Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) has responded to the Supreme Court's unanimous decision to uphold the Promoting Security and Justice for Victims of Terrorism Act of 2019. The law, which Grassley co-authored with U.S. Sen. James Lankford (R-Okla.), enables American victims of international terrorism—including acts by the Palestinian Authority (PA) and Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO)—to file civil lawsuits in U.S. courts.

Grassley stated, “For more than 30 years, I’ve advocated in Congress for the rights of victims and their families who are seeking to hold terrorist organizations and their financiers accountable for the evil they’ve inflicted. But along the way, courts have undermined Congress’ intent and the laws we’ve enacted to deter terrorism. At long last, Americans impacted by international terrorism now have a clear path to justice. I hope today’s ruling brings some measure of peace to those who’ve been injured or suffered the loss of a loved one at the hands of Palestinian terrorist organizations,” Grassley said. “This decision sends a resounding message that foreign terrorists who intend to harm our countrymen can expect to feel the full weight of the U.S. justice system upon them.”

The Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA) was established in 1992 as a legal avenue for American victims and their families to seek damages from those responsible for or assisting with acts of international terrorism against Americans. For many years, families used this law to pursue cases related to attacks carried out by PA and PLO in Israel and other locations abroad.

However, a 2016 decision by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit limited jurisdiction over these cases, effectively blocking accountability measures against these groups in U.S. courts.

In response, Grassley and Lankford introduced legislation amending and reinforcing the ATA through the Promoting Security and Justice for Victims of Terrorism Act. The PA/PLO contested this law on constitutional grounds, arguing it violated their due process rights.

The Supreme Court rejected this challenge unanimously, confirming that Congress acted within its authority on foreign policy matters when passing this law.