Saudi Arabia – and other Sunni-led nations in the coalition against Yemen – continues to benefit from the role of America and the United Kingdom.
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They will also argue that this will touch off an avalanche of reciprocal lawsuits in other countries, and they’re probably right about that – not to mention an avalanche of nuisance lawsuits in this country.
Proponents argue that the bill closes a narrow loophole in a legal doctrine that already has exceptions for business activities and tort claims, and has no bearing on acts of war. “The European Union considers that the adoption of the bill and its subsequent implementation might have unwanted consequences as other States may seek to adopt similar legislation, leading to a further weakening of the principles of State sovereign immunity”, the EU delegation to the United States said in a statement.
Still, Congress could override the veto ― which lawmakers appear to be seriously considering, presumably in part because siding with September 11 families would likely bolster their political prospects in an election year.
That distinction is lost on the families, who are angry with Mr. Obama.
The Obama administration has made the same argument as Graham, expressing concerns that the bill could lead to a slew of global lawsuits and have a major impact on relations with a key ally.
Saudi Arabia and the Sunni coalition is killing on a daily basis in Yemen.
The bill passed with enough support to indicate lawmakers could override the President’s expected veto.
House Republicans and Democrats don’t agree on much.
Other recent news from the Hill is adding to the Saudis’ anxieties.
Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., who also opposed the sale, said the Saudis have bombed areas that the United States has asked them to avoid.
Resolution opponents said the measure is misguided. Chris Murphy (D-CT.) said at the same meeting. It called for the immediate suspension of security assistance to Riyadh’s forces. “U.S. officials know that the Saudi government continues dropping bombs on civilian communities and yet the Obama Administration continues selling it weapons”.
At a meeting at the Center for the National Interest in Washington on Monday, Sen.
Mr. Quinn and Sean Carter, another lawyer for the 9/11 families, hit back scarcely an hour later with their own letter to lawmakers and journalists.
“The bad guys and our allies in the Arab world are imperfect, but they are still our allies”, Graham said.
“The United States benefits from sovereign immunity more than any other country in the world because the United States uses our influence in the worldwide community more than any other country in the world”, White House press secretary Josh Earnest said.
“They’re just throwing stuff against the wall that doesn’t stand up, and they’re doing it in hopes they can give people pause and cause them to reconsider”, Mr. Quinn said. Sens. Lindsey Graham of SC and Bob Corker of Tennessee, both key Republican voices on foreign policy issues, are attempting to delay the override vote.
They also pointed out that the 27 senators who voted in favor of the measure represents an improvement over the 24 who voted to block arms sales to Pakistan in March, despite the considerable lobbying firepower of both Saudi Arabia and the USA arms industry.
Ahead of today’s vote, 64 Members of Congress urged President Obama in a letter to the White House to postpone the latest arms sale so that the U.S. Congress could properly debate the issue. The votes are expected to take place next week.
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“Let’s be clear about what the arms sale is all about: It’s about giving a nation that’s under attack by Iranian-sponsored militias the arms that it needs to defend its people and its territory”, said McCain, who went on to call the Houthis the “stooges” and “clients” and “agents” of Iran.
