Fairness for Khobar Act of 2025

The "Fairness for Khobar Act of 2025" proposes an amendment to the Justice for United States Victims of State Sponsored Terrorism Act. Its primary goal is to ensure that certain victims of the 1983 Beirut barracks bombing and the 1996 Khobar Towers bombing receive previously missed lump sum catch-up payments. This legislation specifically addresses those victims who did not apply for these payments because they relied on Department of Justice guidance that incorrectly indicated their ineligibility if they had already received regular payment distributions or had submitted only one application per claim. The bill mandates the Special Master to authorize these payments and, within 30 days of the bill's effective date, publish necessary procedures and guidance for implementation. Victims can demonstrate their reliance on the prior DOJ guidance through various means, including documentation of written or verbal communications with the Fund, a sworn statement describing their reliance, or any other method approved by the Special Master. These catch-up payments will be drawn from the existing reserve fund established in the Act or, if insufficient, from the main Fund itself, ensuring that eligible victims receive their due compensation.