Senate

Top Republicans want changes to Saudi 9/11 bill

by Jordain Carney - 09/15/16 6:05 PM ET

Two Senate Republicans are pushing for changes to legislation expected to be vetoed by President Obama that allows the families of 9/11 victims to sue Saudi Arabia in U.S. courts.

Sens. Bob Corker (R-Tenn.) and Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), said separately on Thursday that they have concerns about the potential fallout from the Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act (JASTA), which passed the Senate unanimously.

{mosads}Corker, the chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee, said he feared the legislation could be “tremendously detrimental” and open up the United States to retaliation from other countries.

“Let’s face it, our alleged drone attacks have killed civilians in Pakistan. Our alleged drone attacks have killed civilians in Afghanistan, and I think once you begin opening the door for these type of activities it can very problematic,” he said.

“On the surface people look at it, and it’s the victims of 9/11 versus Saudi Arabia,” he added. “If it were that simple, it wouldn’t be much of a decision.”

The White House pledged on Monday that the president would veto the bill, echoing Corker’s concerns that it could pave the way for legal action against U.S. citizens. Obama is also expected to continue to lobby lawmakers against the bill up until they formally decide to override his promised veto.

Both Corker and Graham floated that lawmakers could use an upcoming break to allow time for negotiations on potential changes to the bill. The Senate is hoping to wrap its work next week, and Obama could delay sending the veto until Friday, Sept. 23.

The South Carolina Republican warned that the legislation, if it becomes law, will damage the U.S.-Saudi relationship for the foreseeable future.

“It’s a delicate situation,” Graham said. “Nobody wants to be seen as opposing justice for the 9/11 families, but at the end of the day we have a world to manage, and right now the world is not being well-managed.”

Both Corker and Graham sidestepped saying if they would vote against a veto override, stressing they are currently focused on trying to see if there is a way to resolve current concerns, including that the legislation undermines the legal principle of “sovereign immunity.”

But they likely face an uphill climb to get the legislation changed. Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) has said the Senate will stay in Washington until Obama sends over the veto message.

Senate leadership have voiced confidence that they will be able to override a veto, pitting Democrats against Obama for what could be the first veto override of his administration.

Sen. Harry Reid (D-Nev.) told reporters during a weekly press conference that he would support the legislation, spearheaded by Cornyn and Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), who is expected to succeed Reid as the next Senate Democratic leader.

Cornyn reiterated Thursday that he isn’t open to changing the bill, which he has stressed doesn’t specifically target Saudi Arabia.

Under current U.S. law, victims may sue a country designated as a state sponsor of terrorism, such as Iran. The bill would allow citizens to sue countries without that designation, including Saudi Arabia.

Tags Bob Corker Chuck Schumer Harry Reid John Cornyn Lindsey Graham