Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act
Public Law 114-222 · S. 2040 · 114th Congress · began in the Senate
Vetoed by Barack Obama (D); passed over the veto on Sep 28, 2016 · Crime and Law Enforcement
Veto override
Sponsor: Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX)
Cosponsors (25): Sen. Chuck Schumer, Sen. Chuck Grassley,
Passage votesYeaNay
- HouseVoice vote
- SenateVoice vote
Veto override votes
- HouseNeeds two-thirds: 348 yea, 77 nay348–77
- SenateNeeds two-thirds: 97 yea, 1 nay97–1
Data notes
The final version of the law, as each chamber passed it. A chamber that passed it by voice vote or unanimous consent has no count. “Method not stated” means the record does not say how the chamber voted. Where the record has a member-by-member vote, the “Who voted for it” section shows who voted yea.
Summary
The Congressional Research Service’s plain-language summary of what the law does.
Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act
(Sec. 3) This bill amends the federal judicial code to narrow the scope of foreign sovereign immunity (i.e., a foreign state's immunity from the jurisdiction of U.S. courts).
Specifically, it authorizes federal court jurisdiction over a civil claim against a foreign state for physical injury to a person or property or death that occurs inside the United States as a result of: (1) an act of international terrorism, and (2) a tort committed anywhere by an official, agent, or employee of a foreign state acting within the scope of employment.
International terrorism does not include an act of war. Federal court jurisdiction does not extend to a tort claim based on an omission or an act that is merely negligent.
A U.S. national may file a civil action against a foreign state for physical injury, death, or damage as a result of an act of international terrorism committed by a designated terrorist organization.
(Sec. 4) The bill amends the federal criminal code to impose civil liability on a person who conspires to commit or aids and abets (by knowingly providing substantial assistance) an act of international terrorism committed, planned, or authorized by a designated terrorist organization.
(Sec. 5) It establishes exclusive federal court jurisdiction over civil claims under this bill.
It authorizes the Department of Justice (DOJ) to intervene in civil proceedings to seek a stay. A court may grant the stay if the Department of State certifies that the United States is engaged in good-faith discussions with the foreign state to resolve the civil claims.
(Sec. 7) This bill's amendments apply to a civil claim: (1) pending on or commenced on or after enactment; and (2) arising out of an injury to a person, property, or business on or after September 11, 2001.
Committees
The committees the bill was sent to, and what each did with it.
Data notes
A committee links to its page only where it exists in the current Congress; older and renamed committees are named without a link.
Related bills
2 bills the Library of Congress relates to this one.
Data notes
Related bills are identified by the Congressional Research Service, the House and the Senate: companion and identical bills, bills with similar text, bills that were folded into this law, and rules that brought it to the floor. A bill that is itself a public law in this site’s data links here; the others link to Congress.gov.
Timeline
From introduction to the override, newest first: the committees, the floor and the president. 32 actions.
- Sep 28, 2016Became lawBecame law · Became Public Law No: 114-222.
- VetoVeto · Two-thirds of the Members present having voted in the affirmative the bill is passed, the Passed by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 348 - 77, 1 Present (Roll no. 564).House roll call 564
- VetoVeto · Passed House over veto: Two-thirds of the Members present having voted in the affirmative the bill is passed, the Passed by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 348 - 77, 1 Present (Roll no. 564).House roll call 564
- VetoVeto · The Chair laid before the House the veto message from the President.
- VetoVeto · Passed Senate over veto by Yea-Nay Vote. 97 - 1. Record Vote Number: 148.Senate roll call 148
- VetoVeto · Passed Senate over veto: Passed Senate over veto by Yea-Nay Vote. 97 - 1. Record Vote Number: 148.Senate roll call 148
- VetoVeto · Veto Message considered in Senate.
- FloorFloor · The Chair directed the Clerk to notify the Senate of the action of the House.
- FloorFloor · The previous question was ordered pursuant the previous order.
- FloorFloor · DEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour of debate on the question of passage of S. 2040, the objections of the President to the contrary, notwithstanding.
- FloorFloor · Message on Senate action sent to the House.
- Sep 26, 2016FloorFloor · Veto message ordered held at the desk.
- Sep 23, 2016PresidentPresident · Vetoed by President.
- FloorFloor · Veto message received in Senate.
- Sep 12, 2016FloorFloor · Presented to President.
- Sep 9, 2016FloorFloor · Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
- FloorFloor · On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote.
- FloorFloor · DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on S. 2040.
- FloorFloor · Considered under suspension of the rules.
- FloorFloor · Mr. Goodlatte moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
- Sep 7, 2016FloorFloor · UNANIMOUS CONSENT - Mr. Sessions asked unanimous consent that it be in order at any time on the legislative day of September 9, 2016, for the Speaker to entertain motions that the House suspend the rules, as though under clause 1 of rule 15, relating to S. 2040.
- May 17, 2016FloorFloor · Message on Senate action sent to the House.
- FloorFloor · Received in the House.
- FloorFloor · Passed Senate with an amendment by Voice Vote.
- FloorFloor · The committee substitute withdrawn by Unanimous Consent.
- FloorFloor · Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent.
- CommitteeCommittee · Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
- Feb 3, 2016CalendarCalendar · Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 362.
- CommitteeCommittee · Committee on the Judiciary. Reported by Senator Grassley with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.
- Jan 28, 2016CommitteeCommittee · Committee on the Judiciary. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
Data notes
Every action the Library of Congress lists for the bill, from introduction to signing, plus the dated committee hearings. The source lists many steps twice (the chamber’s own entry and the Library of Congress copy, or a presidential and a became-law entry with the same words); those are shown once. Amendments are listed in their own section.
Amendments
1 amendment offered to the bill, with the last recorded step of each.
- Agreed to
S.Amdt. 3945SenateSen. John CornynR-TX· offered May 17, 2016Agreed to
In the nature of a substitute.
May 17, 2016: Amendment SA 3945 agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent.
Data notes
Amendments offered to this bill in either chamber, as the Library of Congress records them: each with a status read from its last recorded step: agreed to, rejected, withdrawn, ruled out of order, fell with another amendment, or offered with no vote recorded (most Senate amendments are only ever offered). The wording of each amendment is the source’s. Amendments to amendments and amendments to other bills are not listed.
Official record
The bill’s full text is on Congress.gov. Data through Oct 7, 2026.