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U.S. says allies oppose bill allowing 9/11 lawsuits against Saudi Arabia
Source: Reuters
Politics | Thu Jul 14, 2016 12:19pm EDT
U.S. says allies oppose bill allowing 9/11 lawsuits against Saudi Arabia
WASHINGTON | BY PATRICIA ZENGERLE
U.S. State Department officials told members of Congress on Tuesday that legislation that would allow families of Sept. 11 victims to sue Saudi Arabia is opposed by important U.S. allies and posed a national security risk.
But many members of a House of Representatives Judiciary Committee subcommittee expressed strong support at a hearing for the "Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act," or JASTA, which the Senate passed in May by unanimous voice vote despite President Barack Obama's veto threat.
The Saudis, who deny responsibility for the 2001 attacks, strongly oppose the legislation. Other governments have also raised objections. The Dutch parliament warned that JASTA would represent a breach of Dutch sovereignty. A member of the British parliament wrote a column opposing it.
Anne Patterson, the State Department's assistant secretary for Near Eastern affairs, and Brian Egan, its legal counsel, testified that the measure could lead to lawsuits against the United States and discourage security cooperation such as intelligence sharing between governments.
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U.S. says allies oppose bill allowing 9/11 lawsuits against Saudi Arabia
WASHINGTON | BY PATRICIA ZENGERLE
U.S. State Department officials told members of Congress on Tuesday that legislation that would allow families of Sept. 11 victims to sue Saudi Arabia is opposed by important U.S. allies and posed a national security risk.
But many members of a House of Representatives Judiciary Committee subcommittee expressed strong support at a hearing for the "Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act," or JASTA, which the Senate passed in May by unanimous voice vote despite President Barack Obama's veto threat.
The Saudis, who deny responsibility for the 2001 attacks, strongly oppose the legislation. Other governments have also raised objections. The Dutch parliament warned that JASTA would represent a breach of Dutch sovereignty. A member of the British parliament wrote a column opposing it.
Anne Patterson, the State Department's assistant secretary for Near Eastern affairs, and Brian Egan, its legal counsel, testified that the measure could lead to lawsuits against the United States and discourage security cooperation such as intelligence sharing between governments.
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Read more: http://www.reuters.com/article/us-saudi-usa-congress-idUSKCN0ZU20T
