Senate Defies Saudis, Obama, Passes Bill to Allow 9-11 Victims to Sue

Bloomberg news reports

The Senate passed legislation Tuesday allowing Sept. 11 victims and their families to sue other countries for their role in the attacks, defying White House objections and reported threats by Saudi Arabia to sell its U.S. debt holdings.

The move comes one day after the U.S. Treasury Department disclosed the size of Saudi Arabia’s stake for the first time in 41 years — putting its debt holdings at $116.8 billion.

Senator John Cornyn of Texas, the No. 2 Senate Republican, said the bill was tweaked to address the concerns of Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, who worried it would be overly broad and end up with blowback against the U.S.

The House would need to pass the measure to send it to President Barack Obama, who has expressed opposition to the bill, S. 2040. 

“The administration strongly continues to oppose this legislation,” White House spokesman Josh Earnest said Tuesday after the Senate vote. The administration may seek additional changes to the measure or try to get it killed in the House, Earnest said.

Clearly Obama does not think who was behind 9-11 matters anymore or is trying to protect an oil rich nation.

This viral video, taken from a NYU dorm room of the tragedy should serve as a reminder that we as a nation will never forget.