The motion contained language to protect Americans from intimidation and frivolous lawsuits by giving them legal immunity as a result of reporting suspicious terrorism-related activity overwhelmingly passed the House 304 to 121:

“This is a big victory for all Americans,” Shuster said.  “No American should ever be sued because they tried to stop a terrorist act.  No American should be forced to second guess a decision to alert authorities that could save the lives of others.  Unfortunately, the recent lawsuit filed by the Council of American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) seeks to do just that.” 

Last November, six imams were removed from US Airways Flight 300 for what passengers described as threatening behavior.  While on board, passengers reported that these men, who were traveling together, dispersed to seats throughout the plane in a formation reminiscent of the 9/11 hijackers and moved throughout the cabin to confer with one another. Additionally, they asked the flight crew for seatbelt extenders, which they then rolled up and kept under their seats for no apparent reason.

The imams’ complaint, which is supported by CAIR, specifically mentions certain “John Does” as defendants to the suit and describes them as “passengers at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport who contacted U.S. Airways to report the alleged “suspicious” behavior of Plaintiffs’…”

“The enemy we face in the War on Terror does not wear a uniform or insignia.  Instead, they are trained to act like you and me, to blend in to society and operate in the shadows,” Shuster said.  “Although the Department of Homeland Security has done great work to protect us, they cannot be everywhere.  And where there are gaps in security, the American people should step up.”

“Americans shouldn’t be punished for doing their civic duty,” Shuster said.  CAIR’s lawsuit only seeks to chill public involvement in the War on Terror where we need it most.  The House’s passage of this important measure will reverse this trend and protect those who want to protect us all.”

A summary of the Republican Motion to Recommit follows:

The Republican motion to recommit H.R. 1401, the Rail and Public Transportation Security Act of 2007, provides that any person who makes a voluntary disclosure regarding suspicious activity that constitutes a possible threat to transportation security to appropriate security and law enforcement authorities shall be immune from civil liability for such disclosure. 

The amendment protects any such disclosure relating to threats to transportation systems, passenger safety or security, or possible acts of terrorism. 

The amendment also shields transportation systems and employees that take reasonable actions to mitigate perceived threats. 

The amendment is retroactive to activities that took place on or after November 20, 2006 – the date of the Minneapolis incident involving six Islamic leaders who were removed from a U.S. Airways flight after they were observed acting suspiciously.

Finally, the motion authorizes courts to award attorneys fees to defendants with immunity.