Where do you stand?

senate Bill S. 555

Offering Rewards for Information About Terrorists Who Kidnap and Murder Americans

Argument in favor

It may not the ideal way to obtain information about terrorists, but offering rewards gets results, and gives otherwise uninterested parties a reason to help the U.S. If giving people a financial incentive brings terrorists to justice sooner, it’s worth it.

BTSundra's Opinion

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02/17/2016

If it is true information, then yes. Terrorism must be destroyed. We shouldn't provide money for incorrect information, however.

Like (41)

Dinnerandamurder's Opinion

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02/18/2016

Do people saying Nay even bother to actually read the bill? You shouldn't vote without the facts. Rewards are only given if the intelligence is proven to be actionable and legitimate. Rewards have already stopped terrorist attacks and led to terrorists being apprehended. Information is key in a war on terror.

Like (27)

operaman's Opinion

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02/17/2016

Offering rewards? Sure, if it gets positive results. But before cash is dispersed, it's How, Where, When, Who plus, and when reward conditions are met. No free cash. I mean, Obama just had to order the US Treasury to release the cash and throw in a few terrorist from GTMO (Guantanamo Bay)

Like (13)

Argument opposed

Offering up rewards doesn’t lead to nearly as much legitimate information as might be expected, as most of the tips are ultimately not helpful in apprehending the terrorist in question. Using the money on actual intelligence gathering would be a better use.

Chief's Opinion

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02/17/2016

Instead, we should unleash the full might of our military. I don't want to "arrest" or "convict" terrorists. I want them destroyed.

Like (9)

Monica's Opinion

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02/17/2016

Offering rewards will only incentive more kidnapping.

Like (1)

Logan's Opinion

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07/20/2016

Monetary rewards typically end with false and inaccurate Intel. More often than not its recycled intelligence that was used legitimately once before. It could also be used as a financing tool for terrorism. Not to mention the counter intelligence nightmare involved.

Like (1)

What is Senate Bill S. 555?

This bill would direct the State Department to offer a reward to any person who provides information leading to the arrest or conviction of a member of a foreign terrorist organization involved in committing, conspiring to commit, or assisting the kidnapping and murder of the following U.S. citizens:

James Foley, a journalist who was abducted in Syria and beheaded by ISIL;
Abdul-Rahman Peter Kassig, an aid worker captured and beheaded by ISIL in Syria;
Steven Sotloff, a journalist who was kidnapped in Syria and beheaded by ISIL;
Kayla Mueller, a human rights activist who was captured by ISIL and killed in Syria.

The rewards offered under this legislation through the Rewards for Justice program would also apply to any future kidnapping and murder of other U.S. citizens by a foreign terrorist organization.

Total rewards would be limited to $5 million for any one person who provides relevant information that aids these efforts.

The State Department would be prohibited from offering a reward in connection with the kidnapping and murder of any U.S. citizen who is determined to have been affiliated with or supportive of a foreign terrorist organization.

Impact

People providing information leading to the capture of terrorists who have kidnapped or killed Americans, U.S. diplomatic and military assets involved in apprehending the terrorists, the loved ones of Americans kidnapped or killed by terrorists, the State Department.

Cost of Senate Bill S. 555

A CBO cost estimate is unavailable.

More Information

In-Depth: The State Department’s Rewards for Justice (RFJ) program has paid more than $125 million to over 80 people who have provided information that either prevented international terrorist attacks, or helped bring those who carried out attacks to justice.

Currently, there are nine terrorists on the RFJ list with rewards of $7 million or more being offered for information leading to their capture, and 56 who warrant a $5 million reward -- which is the same amount offered by this legislation.

This bill was introduced with the support of five Republican and three Democratic cosponsors. Its lead sponsor, Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL) said that: “We must ensure that the barbaric murders of Steven [Sotloff], James Foley, Abdul-Rahman Peter Kassig and Kayla Mueller do not go unanswered. This bill is a clear message to ISIL and terrorists everywhere that America will not rest until justice is served.”

Media:

Summary by Eric Revell
(Photo Credit: YouTube Screenshot)

AKA

Bringing Terrorists to Justice Act of 2015

Official Title

A bill to require the Secretary of State to offer rewards for information on the kidnapping and murder of James Foley, Peter Kassig, Steven Sotloff, Kayla Mueller, or any other United States citizen by a foreign terrorist organization.

bill Progress

Not enacted
The President has not signed this bill
The house has not voted
The senate has not voted
IntroducedFebruary 25th, 2015

Bill Data

Issues

Committees

Committee on Foreign Relations

Sponsor

Sen Marco Rubio

(R - FL)

8 Cosponsors

Introduced 02/25/2015

Full text of Bill

BTSundra's Opinion In Favor

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02/17/2016

If it is true information, then yes. Terrorism must be destroyed. We shouldn't provide money for incorrect information, however.

Like (41)

Chief's Opinion Against

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02/17/2016

Instead, we should unleash the full might of our military. I don't want to "arrest" or "convict" terrorists. I want them destroyed.

Like (9)

Dinnerandamurder's Opinion In Favor

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02/18/2016

Like (27)

operaman's Opinion In Favor

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02/17/2016

Like (13)

K-Fri's Opinion In Favor

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02/17/2016

We need to capture and murder these scum bags and we can use whatever possible in order to do so.

Like (4)

Bob's Opinion In Favor

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03/23/2017

If a reward saves lives it will be worth it!

Like (2)

ReaganRules's Opinion In Favor

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02/17/2016

Only if the tip is verified

Like (2)

Matt's Opinion In Favor

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09/08/2016

I agree with paying rewards for information leading to the capture of terrorists. I don't support the president paying 400M in ransom money to Iranian terror supporters though.

Like (2)

Heather's Opinion In Favor

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02/03/2017

Rewards for helpful information and the heads of Isis leaders in my opinion.

Like (2)

Adam's Opinion In Favor

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02/16/2017

While we have to remain vigilant and skeptical, the numbers seem to imply that similar programs have been successful in protecting Americans and stopping terrorists in the past. The rewards are only paid out if the information ends up productive.

Like (2)

Paul's Opinion Against

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02/17/2016

Do not negotiate with terrorist. If we do they win.

Like (1)

Bob's Opinion In Favor

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02/17/2016

Whatever it takes to gather information on these terrorists so they can be killed. But wait......Obama will just let them go.

Like (1)

Michael's Opinion Against

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02/17/2016

Better than torture, but offering rewards may inspire false reports. We need some system in place, but I'm not sure this is the right one.

Like (1)

Ty's Public Comment

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02/17/2016

The house should let it die

Like (1)

Logan's Opinion Against

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07/20/2016

Like (1)

Alis's Opinion Against

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02/17/2016

I doubt this works well enough to be worth it. It makes us & captives vulnerable to extortion as well as death!

Like (1)

Hannah's Opinion Against

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02/17/2016

This could become a lucrative strategy for ne'er-do-wells and enemies. How about offering rewards to bounty hunters instead? If they bring us the enemy with a tidy bow on top, then we hand out cash.

Like (1)