Press Releases

Congressman Earl L. “Buddy” Carter (Ga-01) continued his fight against the Iran nuclear deal by voting to prevent the Obama Administration from moving forward with sanctions relief until Iran meets its obligations to victims of its terrorist activities.  The Justice for Victims of Iranian Terrorism Act requires the Obama Administration to certify to Congress that Iran has paid court-ordered damages to terror victims before it can move forward with the sanctions relief.

“The Obama Administration is handing the Iranian regime a pay day while their American victims are waiting for justice,” Carter said. “Iran owes over $43.5 billion in unpaid damages in U.S. courts yet our President is writing the hostile regime a $150 billion check by removing sanctions under the nuclear deal. The families of these victims have gone through a nightmare and they deserve what they were promised by a court of law. It is unfathomable that the administration would put the regime responsible for these horrific terror attacks ahead of the American families who have to live with the devastating repercussions.”

In the past 15 years, more than 80 judgments have been handed down against Iran under the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act (FSIA) exception for state sponsors of terrorism. The terrorism exception to FSIA permits civil suits against terrorist states by their U.S. victims. Since the terrorism exception was created, Iran has accumulated over $43.5 billion in unpaid damages in U.S. courts. Despite Iran’s refusal to pay, it stands to gain $150 billion when sanctions are lifted under the nuclear deal.

Carter has raised concerns and fought for Congressional oversight throughout negotiations of the nuclear deal with Iran, including voting to reject the deal last month. In March, Carter sent a bipartisan letter to President Obama with Representative Ed Royce (Ca-39), Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, and 365 other House Members underscoring the “grave and urgent issues that have arisen” relating to the ongoing nuclear negotiations with Iran. Additionally, Carter voted in support of H.R. 1191, the Iran Nuclear Agreement Review Act, ensuring Congress has a review period and final approval of the deal. Carter also supported H. Res. 411 to restart the clock on the review period until all information is provided to Congress on the negotiations with Iran.