Reports out of the Republican leadership say that the Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act, or JASTA, is expected to come up for a vote in the House of Representatives this week, likely on Friday.
The JASTA allows for 9/11 victims to sue Saudi Arabia for damages related to the 2001 terrorist attack. Saudi Arabia threatened the US over the bill back in April, threatening to immediately divest themselves of $750 billion in US treasury assets, potentially collapsing both the US debt market and the dollar.
The Saudi threats initially worked, with the White House threatening a veto, citing the risk of the bill to “taxpayers.” Sen. Lindsey Graham (R – SC) also briefly blocked the bill, though the Senate did eventually pass the bill in mid-May.
In July, the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence finally released the notorious “28 pages” from the 9/11 Report, which detailed Saudi government involvement in the attacks.
Increased evidence of official Saudi support for the 9/11 plot has added momentum to the bill, though a veto threat is still believed to be intact, part of the Obama Administration’s substantial support for the Saudi kingdom, and fear of Saudi retaliation.
Those interested in contacting their representative to express support for the legislation can find contact information here. While it is seen as likely that the bill will pass, it is particularly important to emphasize support now, with an eye toward limiting the chances of a successful veto.