Justice for Former American Hostages in Iran Act of 2013

3/14/2024, 12:48 PM

Congressional Summary of S 559

Justice for Former American Hostages in Iran Act of 2013 - Establishes in the Treasury the American Hostages in Iran Compensation Fund for the purpose of making payments to the 52 Americans held hostage in the U.S. embassy in Tehran, Iran, from November 3, 1979-January 20, 1981.

Imposes a surcharge, to be deposited into the Fund, of 30% on the amount of: (1) any fine or monetary penalty assessed on a person for violation of a law or regulation penalizing any economic activity relating to Iran that is administered by the Department of the Treasury, the Department of Justice (DOJ), or the Department of Commerce; or (2) the monetary amount of a settlement entered into by a person regarding a suspected violation of such a law or regulation.

Requires Fund payments of $150,000 plus $5,000 for each day of captivity first to each living former hostage and then to the estate of each deceased former hostage.

Requires a payment recipient to waive and forever release all existing claims against Iran and the United States arising out of the hostage events.

Directs the Secretary to notify each individual qualified to receive a payment of the individual's claim status.

States that: (1) if a claim is denied or approved for less than the full amount, the individual shall be entitled to submit additional information; (2) the Secretary may affirm, modify, or revise the former action; and (3) the Secretary's actions in identifying claimants and in disbursing Fund amounts shall be final on all questions of law and fact, and shall not be subject to review by any other U.S. official, agency, or court.

Directs the Secretary to report annually to Congress on the status of the Fund until the date: (1) on which all amounts have been made to all recipients, or (2) five years after the date of enactment of this Act.

Current Status of Bill S 559

Bill S 559 is currently in the status of Bill Introduced since March 13, 2013. Bill S 559 was introduced during Congress 113 and was introduced to the Senate on March 13, 2013.  Bill S 559's most recent activity was Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 183. as of September 12, 2013

Bipartisan Support of Bill S 559

Total Number of Sponsors
1
Democrat Sponsors
0
Republican Sponsors
1
Unaffiliated Sponsors
0
Total Number of Cosponsors
9
Democrat Cosponsors
7
Republican Cosponsors
2
Unaffiliated Cosponsors
0

Policy Area and Potential Impact of Bill S 559

Primary Policy Focus

International Affairs

Potential Impact Areas

Civil actions and liabilityDiplomacy, foreign officials, Americans abroadGovernment liabilityGovernment trust fundsIranMiddle EastSanctions

Alternate Title(s) of Bill S 559

Justice for Former American Hostages in Iran Act of 2013Justice for Former American Hostages in Iran Act of 2013Justice for Former American Hostages in Iran Act of 2013A bill to establish a fund to make payments to the Americans held hostage in Iran, and to members of their families, who are identified as members of the proposed class in case number 1:08-CV-00487 (EGS) of the United States District Court for the District of Columbia, and for other purposes.
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