HR 602 IH
108th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 602
To provide compensation for the families of
noncombatants killed in United States military actions in Afghanistan
after September 11, 2001.
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
February 5, 2003
Mr. OWENS introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on International Relations
A BILL
To provide compensation for the families of
noncombatants killed in United States military actions in Afghanistan
after September 11, 2001.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. FINDINGS.
The Congress makes the following findings:
(1) Property and lives of some innocent persons were
destroyed as a result of the military operations in Afghanistan. Since
the operations were launched to achieve the destruction of the Al Qaeda
terrorist network and the Taliban regime which harbored the terrorists
as well as acted in alliance with them, the United States Government
has worked strenuously to avoid injury to civilians. Any destruction of
civilian lives and property has been accidental as a result of human
error or unusual unforeseen circumstances.
(2) Collateral damage is a nearly inevitable part of
violent warfare. United States military forces do not deny that there
have been such losses in Afghanistan.
(3) In many instances, the victims of such accidents of
war can be identified and surviving relatives can be identified. Such
casualties are among the people of the Afghanistan nation that the
United States Government has pledged to assist in the rebuilding of the
country.
(4) More than $300,000,000 in aid has already been
distributed to the Afghan Government through traditional channels. It
is also understood that additional assistance is promised and planned
for Afghanistan.
(5) There is no prohibition against the provision of
some portion of additional funds for Afghanistan through direct
payments of compensation to innocent war victims. Indeed, although this
would be a new and unusual conduit for foreign assistance, it may prove
to be more effective than traditional aid distribution vehicles.
Dollars directly to the people may achieve a greater impact in the
rebuilding of the nation while at the same time reaping great benefits
in goodwill.
SEC. 2. COMPENSATION FOR THE FAMILIES OF NONCOMBATANTS KILLED IN UNITED STATES MILITARY ACTIONS IN AFGHANISTAN.
(a) IN GENERAL- Notwithstanding any other provision of law,
the Secretary of State, in consultation with the Secretary of Defense
and the Attorney General, shall provide for the payment of compensation
in the amount of $10,000 to the family of each noncombatant national of
Afghanistan who was killed as a direct result of United States military
actions in Afghanistan after September 11, 2001.
(b) ADMINISTRATION- The Secretary of State shall--
(1) administer the compensation program established under this Act;
(2) promulgate all procedural and substantive rules for the administration of this Act; and
(3) employ and supervise hearing officers and other administrative personnel to perform the duties of administering this Act.
(c) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS- There are authorized
to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary to carry out this Act.
END