The House will vote this week on whether to allow 9/11 survivors and family members of those killed by the terrorists that day to sue Saudi Arabia in connection with the attacks, a spokeswoman for House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wis., confirmed Wednesday.
Advertisement
The Senate bill would revise immunity laws now sheltering Saudis from American lawsuits in us courts, making it possible for the families to get justice in USA courts. Called the Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act, the bill would make it easier to sue the Middle Eastern nation and other perceived foreign sponsors of terrorism.
A representative for the victims’ families said they’ve been told by House GOP leadership not only that the House will vote but that the leadership will support the bill’s passage. The House is expected to clear the bill, which was approved unanimously by the Senate in May.
House Democrats are discussing their position on the vote, an aide to Rep. Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) said.
Saudi Arabia completely denies any ties to the attack and points to the numerous investigations conducted by US agencies.
The White House has said it’s strongly opposed to the measure and could veto it, citing potential threats against USA servicemembers and diplomats overseas if the global principle of sovereign immunity is weakened.
The Saudi foreign minister, Adel al-Jubeir, warned lawmakers in March that if the bill became law, the country would sell $750 billion in U.S. assets, including treasury securities.
But the legislation’s supporters, including Senate authors Sen.
The Tribute in Light installation is illuminated over lower Manhattan as seen from Brooklyn Bridge Park in the Brooklyn borough in New York September 11, 2015.
Advertisement
The Saudi kingdom’s alleged role in the deadly attacks largely stems from the origins of the 19 hijackers. The “28 pages” that were long secret also note suspicions about ties between the Saudi royal family and al Qaeda, though the documents also say the speculations have not been verified. The pages indicated that some of the 9/11 hijackers were “in contact and received support from individuals likely connected to the Saudi government”, CNN reported.
