Fairness for Khobar Act of 2025

Bill: 119-hr-4863
Sponsor: full_name: Rep. Sessions, Pete [R-TX-17]
Introduced: 2025-08-01
Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement
Latest action: action_date: 2025-08-01
text: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

Summaries:

tv_txt: I 119th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 4863 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES August 1, 2025 Mr. Sessions introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary A BILL To amend the Justice for United States Victims of State Sponsored Terrorism Act to provide for lump sum catch-up payments for certain 1983 Beirut barracks bombing victims and 1996 Khobar Towers bombing victims.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Fairness for Khobar Act of 2025 . 2. Lump sum catch-up payments for certain 1983 Beirut barracks bombing victims and 1996 Khobar Towers bombing victims Section 404(d)(4)(D) of the Justice for United States Victims of State Sponsored Terrorism Act ( 34 U.S.C. 20144(d)(4)(D) ) by adding at the end the following: (v) Lump sum catch-up payments for certain 1983 Beirut barracks bombing victims and 1996 Khobar Towers bombing victims Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, the following shall apply: (I) The Special Master shall authorize lump sum catch-up payments to those 1983 Beirut barracks bombing victims and 1996 Khobar Towers bombing victims who did not apply for those payments because of Department of Justice guidance that stated that only one application may be submitted for each claim and that Fund claimants previously found eligible for regular payment distributions are not eligible for lump sum catch-up payments. (II) Not later than 30 days after the effective date of this subclause, the Special Master shall publish such procedures and other guidance necessary to implement subclause (I). The Special Master shall permit 1983 Beirut barracks bombing victims and 1996 Khobar Towers bombing victims covered by this clause to demonstrate their reliance on Department of Justice guidance through documentation of written or verbal communications with the Fund, a sworn statement that describes reliance on that guidance, or any other method identified by the Special Master. (III) The Special Master shall authorize lump sum catch-up payments pursuant to this clause from the reserve fund established in clause (iv) or from the Fund, to the extent sufficient reserve funds are not available. .