Twenty-five years after the September 11th terrorist attacks, families of victims are still advocating for justice and relief, urging Congress to replenish a critical fund before an upcoming fiscal deadline.
Angela Mistrulli, founder of American Victims of State-Sponsored Terrorism (AVSSTU) and daughter of a World Trade Center victim, is among those seeking legislative action. "Congress created the United States Victims of State Sponsored Terrorism Fund (USVSST Fund)," Mistrulli stated. "It was supposed to be a place for all victims to be able to go and receive some sort of relief. It was a lifeline to over 22,000 victims." However, she noted, "that fund has run dry, and September 30th is the fiscal deadline for Congress to act in order for victims to receive relief."
The USVSST Fund, established in 2015, has disbursed over $10 billion to individuals affected by international state-sponsored terrorism, including those impacted by the 9/11 attacks. Mistrulli emphasized that "25 years after the 9/11 attacks, we are still fighting for justice, transparency, recognition, and relief that Congress promised us."
Mistrulli and other family members, including Gold Star families and families of civilian victims, attended the Republican midterm convention in Dallas to meet with political leaders about the urgent matter. "We're here not only to memorialize the 25th anniversary of 9/11, but also to try to get some face time with these leaders and these higher ups to be able to discuss this urgent and critical topic," she said.
A bipartisan group of lawmakers from New York introduced legislation in July to address the shortfall. The bill, H.R. 9795, known as the Never Forget the Victims of Terrorism: Joseph D. Mistrulli and Alan Kleinberg USVSST Fund Solvency Act, proposes that the U.S. Department of the Treasury loan $3 billion annually to the fund for fiscal years 2027, 2028, and 2029. The Department of Justice has acknowledged that current USVSST funds are insufficient to cover existing and anticipated victim claims.
Mistrulli reflected on the passage of time, stating, "This is a hard one this year. 25 years. It feels like forever, but it also feels like yesterday." She expressed disappointment that the nation has moved away from the unity felt after the attacks, adding, "It's also exhausting that it's been 25 years of us fighting for justice." Mistrulli hopes that by commemorating the anniversary, the nation can come back together. "We have now been divided as a nation and my wish to everyone out there as we commemorate this anniversary, memorialize, never forget by coming back together."