US President Barack Obama [official website] on Friday vetoed [press release] a bill that would have allowed 9/11 victims and their families to sue Saudi Arabia, citing concerns that it would open US diplomats and servicemen to suit overseas. The bill was earlier passed in the House and Senate without any dissents, but since then several lawmakers have expressed misgivings with the measure echoing same concerns voiced by the White House.
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The administration was also apprehensive about undermining a hard yet strategic relationship with Saudi Arabia.
The leaders of both chambers, Sen.
Obama said other countries could use the law, known as JASTA, as an excuse to sue US diplomats, members of the military or companies – even for actions of foreign organizations that had received USA aid, equipment or training. The absence of public opposition underscores the political appeal of the idea and the challenge Obama faces in drawing enough congressional support to sustain his veto. Still, Ryan said the September 11 victims “need to have their day in court”, and declared there are enough votes in the House for a veto override to pass.
Schumer, a New York Democrat who was a lead supporter of the bill, called the veto “a disappointing decision that will be swiftly and soundly overturned in Congress”.
“Enacting [the Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act] into law, however would neither protect Americans from terrorist attacks nor improve the effectiveness of our response to such attacks”.
“If the Saudis did nothing wrong, they should not fear this legislation”. The move though has not gone down well with many congressional leaders, who now plan to override President’s veto in the coming days..
Officials at the Saudi embassy in Washington weren’t immediately available for comment.
Donald Trump criticized Obama for the veto and also promised to sign the bill if elected president.
Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton said she supports the bill. Heavy Saudi lobbying, however, has raised question marks in the Senate, and multiple senators are openly suggesting they’ll switch sides next time, citing the “dangerous precedent” the bill sets. The act would allow the families of September 11th victims to sue Saudi Arabia if it were legally proven that Saudi Arabia was in fact responsible for aiding or supporting the hijackers who crashed two planes into the World Trade Centers, one into the Pentagon, and another into an empty field in Pennsylvania on September 11, 2001. The measure cleared the Senate in May, also by voice vote.
“Removing sovereign immunity in USA courts from foreign governments that are not designated as state sponsors of terrorism, based exclusively on allegations that such foreign governments’ actions overseas had a connection to terrorism-related injuries on U.S. soil, threatens to undermine these longstanding principles that protect the United States, our forces, and our personnel”, Obama said in a statement. He said he opposes the legislation.
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The Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act (JASTA), as the bill is known, would reform a 1976 law granting other countries immunity in USA courts – a principle known as “sovereign immunity” – opening up the possibility of lawsuits brought by private citizens against states suspected of helping terrorists carry out attacks on U.S. soil.
