Summary#
This bill, the American Victims of Terrorism Compensation Act, changes the Justice for United States Victims of State-Sponsored Terrorism Act. It clarifies which money must go into the United States Victims of State Sponsored Terrorism Fund and when. The bill instructs agencies to deposit certain forfeited funds and proceeds, including specified amounts tied to the United States v. Binance Holdings Limited case, into victim funds or the Crime Victims Fund. It sets deadlines for a special fifth-round distribution to eligible claimants, requires annual pro rata payments starting January 1, 2026, and requires agencies to transfer certain forfeiture balances each year (including 50% of excess unobligated balances from the Justice and Treasury forfeiture funds). The bill also limits the Special Master to using up to 10 full-time equivalent Department of Justice personnel paid from the Fund, adds annual and triennial reporting requirements for the Special Master/Attorney General and the Comptroller General (GAO), and preserves court-ordered restitution rights for direct victims.
What it means for you#
- Victims with eligible claims: The Special Master or Attorney General will authorize pro rata payments on January 1, 2026, and each January 1 afterward. The bill also requires timely distribution of previously authorized fifth-round payments (with specific deadlines in 2025). Court-ordered restitution for direct victims is not reduced by these changes.
- Law enforcement and agencies: The bill directs certain forfeited funds and portions of forfeiture-fund balances to be transferred into the Victims Fund on specified schedules. Agencies must deposit qualifying funds within set timeframes.
- Public oversight: The Special Master must send an annual report on Fund balances and activity; the Attorney General must publish it. The Comptroller General must provide an immediate report listing large forfeitures since 2020 and later triennial reviews of Fund administration.
Expenses#
- Specified monetary items in the bill: $898,619,225 already deposited from the Binance-related matter; $1,912,031,763 as additional funds tied to that matter; and $1,505,475,575 specified to be deposited into the Crime Victims Fund from amounts described in the bill. The bill also covers interest earned on these amounts.
- Administrative costs: Up to 10 DOJ full-time equivalent personnel may assist the Special Master. Any costs for those personnel and other administrative costs of carrying out the section shall be paid from the Victims Fund.
- Other fiscal impacts: No publicly available information on total long-term costs to the federal budget or on how transfers will affect other federal programs beyond the amounts and rules spelled out in the bill.
Proponents' View#
The bill states its purpose is to "clarify and supplement the funding sources for United States victims of state-sponsored terrorism to ensure consistent and meaningful distributions from the United States Victims of State Sponsored Terrorism Fund." It includes measures supporters describe to speed payments to eligible claimants, identify and direct specific forfeited funds into the Fund, require annual payments, and increase public reporting and oversight.
Opponents' View#
No publicly available information.