“I do anticipate the president will veto the legislation when it is presented to him”.
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JASTA is a bill that allows 9/11 victims and their families to sue Saudi Arabia in USA federal court for its alleged role in indirectly financing the attacks.
The bill amends a law from 1976 that gives foreign countries immunity from lawsuits from the United States, and allows lawsuits from Americans against nations directly involved in terrorist attacks against United States citizens.
“That is a myth”. Another is that it could prompt other countries to pass similar laws that would “drag” the US government, corporations and even diplomats into courts in their countries, Earnest said.
The US Senate unanimously approved the bill, known as Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act, in May, despite speculations that it could strain relations between Washington and Riyadh.
White House Spokesman says Obama will veto JASTA.
If the bill becomes law, it will spark years and years of what is sure to be inconclusive litigation over the possible Saudi role in 9/11, with no likely resolution for the attacks’ victims and their families.
The 9/11 families were aware of an earlier veto threat from the administration, but were hopeful Obama would reconsider in light of the overwhelmingly support for the legislation in Congress, Van Auken said.
On Monday, asked whether Obama still meant to veto the bill, White House press secretary Josh Earnest replied, “that’s still the plan”. Saudi Arabia was the home nation to 15 of the 19 hijackers. “And allowing this bill to come into law would increase the risk that they face”.
The White House has resisted the legislation over fears it could open up the U.S.to retaliation in foreign courts. If Obama vetoes the bill, then it will be sent once more for the congress to vote.
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Obama had set up the White House meeting with Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell, House Speaker Paul Ryan, and their Democratic counterparts, Senate minority leader Harry Reid of Nevada and House leader Nancy Pelosi. Chuck Schumer, a sponsor of the bill, told The New York Times before it passed. But he has been highly critical of Saudi Arabia for failing to reciprocate the financial and military support it gets from the United States.
