Clinton, Sanders Support Bill to Allow Families of 9/11 Victims to Sue KSA

Local Editor

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 passed the Senate Judiciary Committee 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 even though it has been pending for weeks. But then, both issued strong 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 US 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.

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 government had threatened to sell $750 billion in Treasury securities and other assets in the United States should the US 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 US Sen. Bob Graham, who co-chaired 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 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 Capitol Hill in 2005, also slammed the Obama administration.

"I think it's even more objectionable that the US government has been supporting Saudi Arabia and erecting roadblocks to the passage of the legislation."

Outraged 9/11 family members struggled to understand why Obama was lobbying against the legislation.

Source: News Agencies, Edited by website team