Senate Unanimously Passes Bill Allowing Families of 9/11 Victims to Sue Saudi Arabia

May 27, 2016 – – Parker Waichman LLP, a national law firm that has long fought to ensure that the heroes and survivors of the 9/11 terrorist attacks are never forgotten, continues to fight for the rights of these heroes and survivors and comments the United States Senate unanimously passed a bill in May 2016 that would enable families to sue Saudi Arabia for its alleged role in the 9/11 attacks, according to a Reuters report dated May 17, 2016.

The bill would allow neither Saudi Arabia, nor any other country that has alleged associations with terrorist groups, from invoking legal immunity in U.S. courts, noted HuffPost. Currently, the 1976 Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act does grant such immunity to countries that are not designated state sponsors of terrorism.

The bill followed the continual dismissal of claims in New York courts that were filed by the families of 9/11 victims and brought against Saudi Arabia. Allegations include that Saudi Arabia assisted in financing the 2001 terrorist attacks.

Senators John Cornyn (Republican-Texas) and Chuck Schumer (Democrat-New York) brought their Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act, seeking a quick vote, which stalled for months. Neither Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (Republican-Kentucky) nor House Speaker Paul Ryan (Republican-Wisconsin) have expressed interest; however, the Act made it through the Senate chamber this week on a voice vote.

“The bill is very near and dear to my heart as a New Yorker, because it would allow the victims of 9/11 to pursue some small measure of justice by giving them a legal avenue to hold foreign sponsors of terrorism accountable,” Schumer told the HuffPost. “These courts are following what we believe is a nonsensical reading of the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act.”

The White House is seeking to stop the bill as administration officials warn that it would put Americans overseas at legal risk, leave the U.S. susceptible in global court systems, and perhaps put Americans in jeopardy over threats made by Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia has denied any role in the 9/11 attacks and threatened retaliation by selling hundreds of billions of dollars in American assets should Congress pass the bill, according to HuffPost.

“September 11th responders selflessly answered the call for help during and following the attack. What’s more, survivors may not know for years if they have developed a life-altering, even deadly, condition as a result of the attacks,” said Mathew McCauley, Senior Litigation counsel at Parker Waichman. “We will continue to fight for what is best for these survivors and for what is best for our country.”

Parker Waichman vows to continue its efforts to safeguard these heroes and survivors, while also not endangering innocent Americans. Please visit Parker Waichman’s website or call 1-800-LAW-INFO (1-800-529-4636) for additional information and assistance.

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