HIL & BERN TURN ON BAM
Dems defy Prez, support bill to let 9/11 kin sue Saudis
THE TWO Democratic presidential candidates are in outright rebellion against the Obama administration’s efforts to scuttle a bill that would allow families of loved ones killed in the 9/11 attacks to sue Saudi Arabia.
The Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act, which the Senate Judiciary Committee voted to recommend earlier this year, would take away immunity from foreign governments in cases “arising from a terrorist attack that kills an American on American soil.”
Initially, Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders said they were unfamiliar with the legislation, which has been pending for weeks. But then both issued statements Sunday backing the legislation co-sponsored by New York Sen. Chuck Schumer, a Democrat, and Texas Sen. John Cornyn, a Republican.
“Obviously, we’ve got to make anyone who participates in or supports terrorism pay a price, and we also have to be aware of any consequences that might affect Americans, either military or civilian or our nation,” Clinton said on ABC’s “This Week.”
Later, her campaign released a more definitive statement saying families and victims of terror need to “hold accountable those responsible. As President, she’d work to Congress on that end.”
Sanders also first said he needed time to review the legislation and then issued a statement staunchly supporting the bill.
“I support legislation by Sen. Chuck Schumer that would allow Americans, including the families of victims of the 9/11 attacks, to use U.S. courts to determine if foreign entities are culpable for terrorist attacks in the United States and seek restitution for the damages and lives lost,” it said.
Obviously, we’ve got to make anyone who participates in or supports terrorism pay a price. — Hillary Clinton I also believe it is time to declassify the 28-page conclusion of the 9/11 Commission Report on the potential sources of foreign support. — Bernie Sanders
He went a step further, urging the Obama administration to “declassify the 28-page conclusion of the 9/11 Commission Report on the potential sources of foreign support received by the hijackers.”
The Saudi Arabian government has threatened to sell $750 billion in Treasury securities and other assets in the United States should Congress pass a bill that could hold the kingdom responsible for any role in the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, according to a New York Times report. It’s a move many of the 9/11 families see as blackmail.
Fifteen of the 19 hijackers were from Saudi Arabia.
Former Sen. Bob Graham, who cochaired a joint congressional investigation into the attacks, charged Saudi officials were worried their ties to the World Trade Center terrorists would be revealed during a trial if the bill were passed.
“I think the action by Saudi Arabia is reprehensible and also very revealing,” the Florida Democrat told the Daily News on Sunday. “They are so fearful of what would emerge if there were to be a full trial. That says something about Saudi Arabia’s involvement in 9/11.”
Graham, who left office in 2005, also slammed the Obama administration.
“I think it’s even more objectionable that the U.S. government has been supporting Saudi Arabia and erecting roadblocks to the passage of the legislation.”
Outraged 9/11 family members said they’re struggling to understand why Obama was lobbying against the legislation.
“It certainly is a shock that our government would try to block our path to justice for the murder of my husband and 3,000 others,” said Monica Gabrielle, 64, whose husband, Richard, 50, died in the World Trade Center.
“All that we want is for the truth to come out and be able to use that truth in the court of law,” added Mindy Kleinberg, whose husband, Alan, 39, also perished in the towers.
The Obama administration’s position “defies logic” and puts the Saudi government ahead of American citizens, she added.
Thousands of 9/11 family members have been trying for years to persuade the U.S. government to release those 28 pages and to sue Saudi Arabia.
In September, a U.S. federal judge dismissed claims against Saudi Arabia by families of victims of the attacks, saying that the kingdom had sovereign immunity from damage claims.
“They couldn’t meet the high standards of the law,” said Graham, noting he has submitted an affidavit in support of the families.