Senate

Reid: Senate should take up Saudi 9/11 bill

by Jordain Carney - 04/19/16 4:04 PM ET

Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) is bucking President Obama on legislation that would allow victims of the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks to sue Saudi Arabia.

“I think we should move forward on this legislation. I hope we can,” Reid told reporters Tuesday during a weekly press conference.

{mosads}His comments come amid fierce pushback against the bill from the White House. The measure, sponsored by Sens. John Cornyn (R-Texas) and Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.), would allow American families of 9/11 victims to sue Saudi Arabia for any role it played in the terror attacks.

President Obama told “CBS This Morning” that the legislation, called the Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act, would open up the United States to lawsuits by individuals from other countries.

White House press secretary Josh Earnest also hinted this week that the president would veto the bill if it reached his desk, and Saudi Arabia reportedly threatened to sell off U.S. assets.

Reid, however, said the legislation has broad support among Senate Democrats.

“I support it, and most everyone in the caucus supports it,” he said.

“The pushback on that is coming from the Republicans. Now, I’ve talked to the White House on this. … They don’t particularly like it, but that’s OK,” Reid added.

Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) said separately that he has a hold on the legislation over concerns that new changes could expose the U.S. to legal attacks.

House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) also voiced skepticism over the bill on Tuesday.

Tags Chuck Schumer Harry Reid John Cornyn Lindsey Graham Paul Ryan