President Obama is well on his way to having his first veto override of his entire presidency today, as the Senate voted today to override his veto of the 9/11 victims bill, Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act (JASTA). The House is also expected to override this week, and may do so as soon as this afternoon.
Intense lobbying by both the Obama Administration and the Saudi government didn’t amount to much in the end, with strong public support leading to a 97-1 veto override vote today. The lone defector from the unanimous vote back in May was Sen. Harry Reid (D – NV).
JASTA allows the families of 9/11 victims to sue Saudi Arabia over its role in the plot. Saudi officials have previously threatened to collapse the US treasuries market if the bill becomes law, and the Obama Administration has repeatedly warned the bill is hugely dangerous to US taxpayers.
President Obama has argued that other nations could reciprocate with bills allowing people to sue the United States over its own misdeeds. Defense Secretary Ash Carter yesterday argued that the suit against the Saudis itself could threaten US troops, claiming that “American secrets” could become public knowledge during the lawsuit.
Let us HOPE that this leads to millions of lawsuits against the US and its western allies. God knows basic morality won’t stop our pointless wars of aggression. Maybe the specter of horrific financial culpability will have an influence. Who am I kidding? The US government will simply send drones to assassinate the plaintiffs or print money out of thin air to pay the settlements.
You’re right in stating that basic morality won’t stop America’s pointless wars of aggression; perhaps, the specter of horrific financial culpability will at least have an influence. The Senate, which is controlled by Democrats, overwhelmingly overrode Obongo’s veto, and the House, which is controlled by the GOP, will most certainly follow suit.
I doubt very much that the USG would dare send drones to murder the plaintiffs .. that would only spark a civil war that would bring this govt down. I’d say they’ll simply print more money out of thin air to pay the settlements.
Seems a neat solution for Obama. He showed willing to his Saudi paymasters, but alas he couldn’t control those wicked Islamophobes in the House and Senate. A polly always needs to have someone else to blame.
This also happened at the end of his second term, so it doesn’t affect his chances of re-election. But it’s dealt with before Hillary gains power, so she’s not on the spot.