On the 22nd anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attacks, Senator John Cornyn called upon President Joe Biden to back his proposed legislation that would strengthen the existing law allowing victims and their families to sue Saudi Arabia for its potential involvement in the attacks.
Cornyn, a Republican from Texas, emphasized the importance of granting those affected by the tragedy their day in court and the opportunity for closure that has long been delayed.
In a statement, he asserted, “The Ensuring Justice for Victims of Terrorism Act would enable these courageous 9/11 families to seek justice through legal means, and President Biden’s silence on whether he supports these American heroes over those responsible for the devastating attacks is deafening.”
Biden, during a speech at a military base in Alaska, expressed heartfelt support for the 9/11 families. However, the White House has yet to respond to Cornyn’s proposal and criticisms.
At the center of the issue is the 2016 Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act (JASTA), which permits 9/11-related lawsuits against Saudi Arabia. This legislation removes “sovereign immunity” for foreign countries in cases where terrorist attacks occur on American soil, resulting in the death of American citizens.
The relatives of the victims seek to utilize legal action as a means to shed light on the alleged connections between the Saudi Arabian government and the individuals responsible for the hijackings. Saudi Arabia vehemently denies any involvement in the plot.
Cornyn had previously collaborated with Senator Chuck Schumer, a Democrat from New York, to achieve bipartisan support for JASTA. The bill’s passage occurred despite objections from the Obama administration, which raised concerns about potential repercussions on national security and the exposure of U.S. diplomats, service members, and companies to similar lawsuits.
Although President Obama vetoed the bill, Congress enacted it anyway, marking the only instance during his tenure that his veto was overridden.
Cornyn’s current legislation aims to address various technicalities related to suing foreign states for aiding and abetting terrorism. It seeks to clarify that all U.S. citizens who suffered personal, business, or property damages can seek legal recourse under the law while ensuring that successful plaintiffs can collect their rightful judgments.
Brett Eagleson, president of 9/11 Justice, an organization dedicated to uncovering evidence of Saudi Arabia’s involvement in the attacks, emphasized the significance of truth for the families affected, saying, “The 9/11 families deserve to know the truth.”
The need for technical corrections in Cornyn’s bill arises, in part, from Saudi Arabia’s success in court by arguing for different liability standards than those intended by Congress, Eagleson added.
Florida Governor and Republican presidential candidate Ron DeSantis voiced his support for Cornyn’s proposal earlier this week.
Over 4,000 victims and families affected by the 9/11 attacks recently signed a letter urging Congress to pass Cornyn’s legislation.
Furthermore, these families are pressing President Biden to fulfill his executive order, signed in 2021, which called for a thorough review of classified 9/11-related documents with the intent of declassifying and releasing them. Released documents thus far have been heavily redacted.
Senators Ron Johnson of Wisconsin and Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut have expressed frustration at the lack of response to their requests for unredacted documents. They penned letters to the Justice Department and the FBI, urging prompt action and highlighting their concerns about the U.S. government’s habit of withholding transparency, particularly regarding Saudi Arabia’s role in the 9/11 attacks.
Senator Cornyn criticized Biden for attempting to have a foot in both camps when it comes to Saudi Arabia. He perceives the absence of public support for his bill as a sign of weakness when the nation should be displaying unity with the families affected by the 9/11 attacks.
“We are not asking for anything other than an opportunity for them to present their case,” Cornyn stated. “It is entirely up to them to convince a judge and a jury, but they deserve that chance.”
He emphasized that Congress was able to override Obama’s veto on JASTA and maintains that there is potential for them to do the same if President Biden were to veto this bill. “If we need to, I intend to lead that effort,” Cornyn pledged.
