All recent votes 114th CongressHouse and Senate

S. 2040Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act

2 recorded actions140 of these members are on the 2026 ballotWhat the measure does Read on Congress.gov

Sponsor: John Cornyn [R-TX]
Cosponsors: 25 · 12 Democrats · 12 Republicans · 1 Independent
Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement
Committee: Judiciary Committee
Latest action: Sep 28, 2016 · Became Public Law No: 114-222.

IntroducedSep 16, 2015
Passed the SenateMay 17, 2016
Passed the HouseSep 9, 2016
Sent to the PresidentSep 12, 2016
Became lawSep 28, 2016

What the measure doesCRS summary

(This measure has not been amended since it was passed by the Senate on May 17, 2016. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

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.

Written by the nonpartisan Congressional Research Service, describing S. 2040 as public Law on Sep 28, 2016. It is not the text of the measure; a later amendment may have changed what it does.

Roll calls on S. 20402 roll calls on this measure

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Sep 28, 2016Each bar: ✓ Yea from the bottom, ✕ Nay aboveSep 28, 2016

How every member votedHouse roll call 564

House Sep 28, 2016 · the primary vote

On Passage, The Objections of the President to the Contrary Notwithstanding

Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act

Passed · Two-thirds required

348 Yea 77 Nay 5 not voting · 1 present

Crossed both parties 77 of 425 voting members broke with their own party: 59 Democrats, 18 Republicans.

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How the chamber split

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DemocratsRepublicansFilled: YeaRing: NayGrey: not voting or present

By party select a segment to filter

All members431 members

Democratic186 members

Republican245 members

marks half of the votes cast. A party’s majority is the side most of its voting members took.

Cosponsors25 · 12 Democrats · 12 Republicans · 1 Independent

Signing on is not a vote: a member can cosponsor S. 2040 and vote against it. 17 signed when it was filed.

Loading the public record

Who lobbied on S. 204022 organizations

Organizations that named S. 2040 in a lobbying disclosure. Only those that cited the bill by number appear, so this is a floor, not a full list.

LIBERTY MUTUAL INSURANCE COMPANYfiled by AKIN GUMP STRAUSS HAUER & FELDIts PAC: Liberty Mutual Insurance Co. - PAC

Taxation/Internal Revenue Code · Insurance6 filings · 4th Quarter (Oct 1 - Dec 31) 2016Filing

ACT FOR AMERICA

Constitution · Homeland Security · Disaster Planning/Emergencies · Foreign Relations +2 more3 filings · 4th Quarter (Oct 1 - Dec 31) 2016Filing

CISCO SYSTEMS INCfiled by CISCO SYSTEMS, INCIts PAC: Cisco Systems, Inc. Federal PAC

Government Issues · Trade (domestic/foreign) · Taxation/Internal Revenue Code · Telecommunications +5 more3 filings · 4th Quarter (Oct 1 - Dec 31) 2016Filing

HARTFORD INSURANCE GROUP (FKA HARTFORD FINANCIAL SERVICES GROUP)Its PAC: The Hartford Insurance Group, Inc. PAC

Taxation/Internal Revenue Code · Retirement · Insurance · Consumer Issues/Safety/Products +4 more3 filings · 4th Quarter (Oct 1 - Dec 31) 2016Filing

SWISS REINSURANCE COMPANY LTD.filed by THE WASHINGTON TAX & PUBLIC POLICY GROUP

Taxation/Internal Revenue Code · Trade (domestic/foreign) · Law Enforcement/Crime/Criminal Justice3 filings · 4th Quarter (Oct 1 - Dec 31) 2016Filing

THE DOW CHEMICAL COMPANYfiled by FIERCE GOVERNMENT RELATIONS, THE DUBERSTEIN GROUP INC.

Agriculture · Chemicals/Chemical Industry · Trade (domestic/foreign) · Government Issues +3 more3 filings · 4th Quarter (Oct 1 - Dec 31) 2016Filing

AMERICAN BANKERS ASSOCIATIONfiled by NORTH SOUTH GOVERNMENT STRATEGIES F/K/A JDM PUBLIC STRATEGIES, LLCIts PAC: American Bankers Association PAC

Banking · Copyright/Patent/Trademark · Bankruptcy2 filings · 4th Quarter (Oct 1 - Dec 31) 2016Filing

CHEVRON U.S.A. INC.

Trade (domestic/foreign) · Foreign Relations · Taxation/Internal Revenue Code · Environment/Superfund +3 more2 filings · 3rd Quarter (July 1 - Sep 30) 2016Filing

CLEARING HOUSE PAYMENTS COMPANY LLCfiled by THE CLEARING HOUSE PAYMENTS COMPANY, LLC

Banking · Taxation/Internal Revenue Code2 filings · 3rd Quarter (July 1 - Sep 30) 2016Filing

DLA PIPER LLP US (FOR ASSOCIATION OF BANKS IN LEBANON)filed by TCK INTERNATIONAL, LLC

Banking2 filings · 4th Quarter (Oct 1 - Dec 31) 2016Filing

45 disclosures name this measure. Retrieved from LDA.gov on 2026-10-05. Senate Office of Public Records cannot vouch for the data or analyses derived from these data after the data have been retrieved from LDA.gov.