Staten Island Reporter

Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis (NY-11) has joined forces with Reps. Mike Lawler (R-NY), Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ), and Dan Goldman (D-NY) to introduce the American Victims of Terror Compensation Act. This bipartisan legislation aims to amend the structure of the U.S. Victims of State Sponsored Terrorism (USVSST) Fund, ensuring that family members of victims of state-sponsored terrorism continue to receive the funding they deserve.

The proposed legislation would enable an immediate distribution in 2024 from the USVSST Fund, increase the Fund's personnel from five to ten people, and mandate an annual payout from the USVSST Fund to its participants. It also calls for an annual report to Congress and a GAO report on quality of administration and recommendations every three years.

"The USVSST Fund has failed to operate as Congress originally intended, leading to repeated frustration and heartbreak for victims of state sponsored terrorism," said Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis (NY-11). "I am proud to continue my work on behalf of victims of terrorism by cosponsoring this legislation."

Congressman Mike Lawler (NY-17) added, "The current structure of the USVSST Fund has left it in need of these crucial corrections to ensure additional funding for years to come." Congressman Dan Goldman (NY-10) echoed these sentiments, emphasizing Congress' responsibility towards families impacted by terrorism.

Angela Mistrulli and Clayton Zook, representatives from the American victims of terrorism community, expressed their gratitude towards the lawmakers for their commitment to delivering justice.

The USVSST Fund was established in 2015 and provides compensation to individuals who hold a final judgment issued by a U.S. District Court awarding compensatory damages arising from acts of international terrorism. The American Victims of Terror Compensation Act is expected to benefit all United States victims of state-sponsored terrorism equally.