Justice for 9/11 Act

Senate Bill

S. 34

119th Congress

Justice for 9/11 Act

In Committee

Introduced:Jan 8, 2025

Primary Sponsor

Tom Cotton

Senator

Republican

AR

Cosponsors

2

Quick Stats

Policy Area

Armed Forces and National Security

Summary

This bill ensures that any plea agreements with Khalid Shaikh Mohammad, Walid Muhammad Salih Mubarak Bin Attash, or Mustafa Ahmed Adam al Hawsawi for the September 11 attacks do not preclude additional trials under other laws, with the death penalty available. If sentenced, these individuals must be held at Guantanamo Bay in solitary confinement, without contact with foreign nationals, without unauthorized psychological treatment, and cannot be transferred to the continental United States or other countries. The bill responds to concerns about plea negotiations with 9/11 conspirators.

Latest Action

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services.

AI Summary

Plain-English explanation of this bill

This bill ensures that any plea agreements with Khalid Shaikh Mohammad, Walid Muhammad Salih Mubarak Bin Attash, or Mustafa Ahmed Adam al Hawsawi for the September 11 attacks do not preclude additional trials under other laws, with the death penalty available. If sentenced, these individuals must be held at Guantanamo Bay in solitary confinement, without contact with foreign nationals, without unauthorized psychological treatment, and cannot be transferred to the continental United States or other countries. The bill responds to concerns about plea negotiations with 9/11 conspirators.

Last updated: 1/4/2026

Official Summary

Congressional Research Service summary

Justice for 9/11 ActThis bill provides that any plea agreement entered into by Khalid Shaikh Mohammad, Walid Muhammad Salih Mubarak Bin ‘Attash, or Mustafa Ahmed Adam al Hawsawi for actions involving the terrorist attack on September 11, 2001, and its related judgment must not preclude the trial of such individuals under other provisions of law for that attack. In any trial of such individuals, the death penalty must be available.In the case of any sentence imposed on Khalid Shaikh Mohammad, Walid Muhammad Salih Mubarak Bin ‘Attash, or Mustafa Ahmed Adam al Hawsawi, the individual must (1) be held at U.S. Naval Station, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, in solitary confinement; (2) not be provided contact with foreign nationals; (3) not be provided with psychological treatment except that specifically authorized by medical authorities at Guantanamo Bay; and (4) not be transferred to the continental United States or any other country.

Key Points

Main provisions of the bill

Preserves death penalty option for 9/11 conspirators despite plea deals
Ensures plea agreements do not preclude additional trials
Mandates Guantanamo Bay solitary confinement for sentences
Prohibits contact with foreign nationals and transfers
Addresses Khalid Shaikh Mohammad and co-conspirators specifically

How This Impacts Americans

Potential effects on citizens and communities

For 9/11 families: Assurance that justice options remain available. For defendants: Strict conditions regardless of plea outcomes. For Guantanamo operations: Specific detention requirements. For military commissions: Guidance on sentencing and custody. For future administrations: Constraints on transfer or release options.

Policy Areas

Primary Policy Area

Armed Forces and National Security

Related Subjects

Correctional facilities and imprisonment

Criminal procedure and sentencing

Terrorism

Scope & Jurisdiction

Jurisdiction Level

federal

Congressional Session

119th Congress

Citation Reference

34, 119th Congress (2025). "Justice for 9/11 Act". Source: Voter's Right Platform. https://votersright.org/bills/118-s-34