Three deadly terrorist attacks in two weeks at the hands of ISIS and escalating threats against America from radical Islamists vowing to kill and destroy us leaves the 9/11 victims' families and survivors angry and determined to fight back. I am fighting back because my husband Tom was murdered on 9/11 while simply working to support his young family.
First, on behalf of the 9/11 Victims' Families & Survivors United for Justice Against Terrorism, I offer our sincere condolences to the families who lost a loved one. We know all too well the devastation a family suffers at the hands of barbaric terrorist attacks against innocent men, women and children.
Since 9/11, we have learned about many different ways to fight radical Islamic terrorism. One very effective way is to cut off their money - bankrupt them. The 9/11 families & survivors war on terror is a war on the financiers. We must hold accountable the wealthy paymasters from the Middle East - the states and bankers who continue to fund mass murder to ensure their positions of power remain unscathed.
We also need strong leadership in our government. If we are going to eradicate ISIS once and for all, it's time we take a hard look at what is fueling its growth: money. It's time to deal with who funds the radical Islamists and their sworn Jihad against America no matter who they may be or what country they come from.
Strong leadership does not fall exclusively on the executive branch. Congress has an important role to play in the success of defeating our evil enemies. Before they are asked to consider authorizing more force in the Gulf region or allocating more funds for continued wars, Congress should focus their attention on The Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act, S.2040/H.R.3815, ("JASTA"), sponsored by Senators John Cornyn (R-TX) and Chuck Schumer (D-NY).
JASTA is a nonpartisan bill with strong bipartisan support in both Chambers of Congress. It's sponsors maintain that the effect of the legislation is to provide a path to justice for victims of terrorism and deter future attacks by holding the financiers responsible for the role they play in giving material and logistical support for terrorist attacks on American soil. Money is the lifeblood of terrorism. Holding the funders liable is a strong deterrent and one we should not be afraid to use. JASTA is about keeping America safe.
By stemming the flow of money coming from donations from citizens, purported nonprofit groups, and governments or private sources in Gulf nations we can greatly reduce the resources needed to fund the training camps, bomb making capabilities, communications, food, clothing, weapons and recruitment. War is not the answer. Choking off the money supply is.
The 9/11 terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001 were of unquantifiable death and destruction. We must never forget the nearly 3,000 innocent souls savagely murdered by 19 radical Islamist terrorists. Today, rescue workers continue to die from their exposure to toxins at Ground Zero. Thousands of our brave military have died in combat in Afghanistan and tens of thousands more have returned home with grave injuries. Trillions of dollars have been spent on wars since 9/11 and now we have ISIS on a killing spree, beheading Americans and vowing to put their flag on the White House.
With the holiday season upon us, thousands of victims of terrorism will struggle to celebrate in the midst of the recent attacks against Russia, Lebanon and France. With hundreds more dead at the hands of ISIS, al Qaeda and their affiliates, we shed tears, share in their pain and mourn their losses.
Congress and the White House need to act now. I urge each and every American to call your Senators and Representatives and ask them to support S.2040/H.R.3815, the Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act. Our national security depends on it.
Terry Strada, National Chair, 9/11 Families & Survivors United for Justice Against Terrorism http://passjasta.org