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At 11th hour, NY Senator Schumer upends bill making it easier for 9/11 families to sue Saudi Arabia

May 25, 2016 8:33 am By Robert Spencer

“The quiet, behind-the-scenes watering-down of the controversial bill explains why it passed without a single Republican or Democratic objection. The White House had lobbied senators heavily to kill the bill.” This rot is bipartisan. The true extent of Saudi power in American government may never be known, but it’s obviously enormous.

Schumer

“Schumer upends 9/11 Saudi suit bill at 11th hour,” by Paul Sperry, New York Post, May 24, 2016:

Last week’s unanimous passage of a Senate bill making it easier for 9/11 families to sue Saudi Arabia and other foreign terror sponsors was widely heralded as a major victory.

It’s more of a cruel hoax.

It turns out that just before the vote, Sen. Charles Schumer and other proponents of the Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act stuffed an amendment into the final draft allowing the attorney general and secretary of state to stop any litigation against the Saudis in its tracks.

Yes, JASTA would remove the statutory restrictions that have prevented 9/11 families from taking the Saudi kingdom to court. But Schumer helped craft an entirely new section to the original bill, giving the Justice and State departments the power to stay court action indefinitely. All they have to do is inform the judge hearing the case that the US government has engaged with ­Riyadh in diplomatic talks to resolve the issue.

The quiet, behind-the-scenes watering-down of the controversial bill explains why it passed without a single Republican or Democratic objection. The White House had lobbied senators heavily to kill the bill.

The section that was slipped in at the last minute — “Stay of Actions Pending State Negotiations” — leaves it up to the secretary of state to merely “certify” that the United States is “engaged in good-faith discussions with the foreign-state defendant concerning the resolution of claims against the foreign state.”

The attorney general, in turn, can petition the court for an extension of the stay for “additional 180-day periods,” effectively delaying lawsuits against the Saudis indefinitely.

Schumer’s office pointed to the Democrat’s comments in the Congressional Record where he notes that “if the administration seeks to use this new authority, it should be prepared to provide substantial evidence of good-faith negotiations to the court.”

Lawyers for 9/11 families say they were assured by Schumer and co-sponsor Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) that the administration would have to come forward with “real and tangible” proof to secure a stay.

Still, 9/11 families say they feel betrayed….

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Filed Under: dhimmitude, Featured, Saudi Arabia, Useful idiots Tagged With: Charles Schumer


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Comments

  1. Don McKellar says

    May 25, 2016 at 8:44 am

    Trump is a sue-happy maniac. Being sued endlessly by idiots and con men yourself does that to a person. As does relentless lying and slander from the Mainstream Media about you. A President Trump appoints the Attorney General and the Secretary of State. The Obama regime saves face with its Saudi masters, as do the corrupt Republican members of the government. And then President Trump enables the sue-fest to begin. Everybody wins except the moslems.

    The Wall and deportation of illegal aliens is ON.
    The dismantling of the Chinese economy in favor of America is ON.
    The moslem ban is ON
    etc, etc, and now
    The suing of Saudi Arabia is ON.

    • American Pragmatism says

      May 25, 2016 at 10:14 am

      Yeah you’re so right. Muslim religion says nothing about terrorizing and killing non-believers, imposing jizya taxes, taxing sex slaves. Muslims had nothing to do with 9/11. Muslims are perfectly safe working at our airports and hardened security areas.

      Saudi Arabia shouldn’t have to respond to claims that they killed 2k Americans? Your right because the families of the victims don’t deserve recompense.

      This story has nothing to do with Trump, it isn’t about Trump. Its about Muslim Terrorism.

      • linnte says

        May 25, 2016 at 5:16 pm

        Thank you! Because ignoring the real point of the argument also betrays the families of 9/11.

    • Polk1970 says

      May 25, 2016 at 3:04 pm

      just vote

    • Mazo says

      May 25, 2016 at 8:38 pm

      Obama, who is cursed daily in the Saudi media for his deal with Iran, which is Saudi Arabia’s archenemy, is somehow construed as serving the Saudi agenda when his entire administration has been trying to pivot towards Iran and opening up improved relations with the Iranians and blatantly ignoring Saudi rage over the deal. The same Obama who was snubbed by Saudi King Salman and hated by the Saudis for refusing to intervene in Syria to remove Assad. Obama has been proclaiming that he wants to pivot to Asia against China and created the TPP trade deal as an anti-China deal. Obama has been backing Syrian Kurdish YPG (PKK branch) over Turkey’s objections.

      Only a dumb, retarded, low IQ American can claim Obama is pro Saudi. Oh wait, you already fulfill the criterea.

      China trades with approximately every other nation in the world and is a nuclear power, weapons producer and exporter. China sells weapons to Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and numerus other countries and most Saudi oil is exported to China and India. China sold nuclear capable DF-21 missiles to Saudi Arabia already and is looking for a massive expansion of trade with the Middle East with its Silk Road initiative.

      Saudi Arabia has already discussed the possibility of buying nuclear weapons from China. If anyone wants to fuck around, China will sell nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles to both Saudi Arabia and Mexico.

      • gravenimage says

        May 26, 2016 at 1:42 am

        Mazo is so full of crap. The idea that Obama only appeases Shi’ites is simply ludicrous. He has appeased Islam *in general*. Here he is, bowing to the Saudi king:

        https://www.jihadwatch.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/obama-bows.jpg

        • Mazo says

          May 26, 2016 at 1:43 pm

          Obama bowed to the Japanese monarch. Where are all the trolls accusing him of being a Shintoist? Its considered haram in Islam to bow to a person, especially the ruler of Japan.

  2. mortimer says

    May 25, 2016 at 8:49 am

    Sell out. But who is paying for the sell out? Who is receiving money from the sell out? More smoke screens for the House of Saud which has been exporting their terrorist ideology through mullahs and books and by building mosques where jihad is taught. Soddy Barbaria teaches hate and demands immunity.

    • KABOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM says

      May 26, 2016 at 11:38 am

      Morti I nominate you to go over to Saudi Arabia ans slab a few imam bottoms to get them back on the straight and narrow.

  3. waterdog says

    May 25, 2016 at 8:58 am

    When did Charles Schumer become the “honorable” senator from Saudi Arabia? It is difficult to fathom why a senator, who is supposed to be representing the people of New York, would side with foreigners who played a role in the 9/11 attacks. His finances need to be investigated.

    • David says

      May 25, 2016 at 9:27 am

      This fool is “unfit” for the office of Senator. And may be guilty of TREASON.

      • Christianblood says

        May 25, 2016 at 4:48 pm

        He is a traitor, most leaders of the US and the West are the Saudi boot-lickers who deserve to be hanged!

    • LaLa says

      May 25, 2016 at 9:53 am

      I have to agree.

      I have been writing Senator Schumer several times concerning HR569 and he has never responded to my faxed letters.
      Now I know why,
      he is not representative of the people of NY, by siding with Foreigners who played a role in the 9/11 attacks.

      Yes his finances should be looked in to

      • Steven Kaszab says

        May 25, 2016 at 10:00 am

        All Public Officials should be audited every two years no matter Federal, State or Municipal.

        • linnte says

          May 25, 2016 at 5:17 pm

          Term limits!

        • DFD says

          May 26, 2016 at 1:11 pm

          To Steven Kaszab & Lonnte

          Hi,

          You’re both right. I think that ought to be the case for all ‘democracies’. Plus a five, if not ten year ban to ‘work’ in any industry with which they were concerned whilst in office.

    • Polk1970 says

      May 25, 2016 at 3:11 pm

      Investigating Schumer’s finances would really be a deep dive with a lot of underwater caves on the sea floor ,and then those caves begetting more underwater caves.,iow,a lybrinthian maze

  4. Steven Kaszab says

    May 25, 2016 at 9:19 am

    Hit them where it counts….their prestige and their pockets.

    Long live Liberty…Down with all forms of Oppression

  5. duh swami says

    May 25, 2016 at 9:20 am

    .Me Sioux Indian but no collect’ The Saudi’s will deny everything and pay nothing…But don’t worry, the lawyers involved will have a great payday…

    • Polk1970 says

      May 25, 2016 at 3:19 pm

      And the SEALED pages will remain SEALED until some electronic glitch completely DESTROYS them and any possible links and/or hard copies.all

  6. Japeth says

    May 25, 2016 at 9:21 am

    The Muslim and Jewish communities share a common heritage, and have been connected by many bridges in the past. The Council will serve to build more bridges between and among these communities in future

    For its part, the Muslim-Jewish Leadership Council will coordinate and mobilize resources within its networks to offer support for refugees in Europe.
    http://www.kaiciid.org/news-events/news/groundbreaking-muslim-jewish-leadership-platform-launched-protect-religious-freedom

    Muslims are Jews’ natural allies in Europe – Rabbi Pinchas Goldschmidt
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wb_4U2UJucE

    Jewish groups unite to defend Muslims from discrimination
    A dozen American organizations team up to support legislation thwarting proposed ban on Muslims entering the US
    http://www.timesofisrael.com/jewish-groups-unite-to-defend-muslims-from-discrimination/

    • Polk1970 says

      May 25, 2016 at 3:26 pm

      WHO in the HEXX are you trying to BS?
      You turned off at the wrong internet highway exit
      Seriously?
      Are you crazy thinking this SHAM you’re promoting is the “breakthrough of the last 1400 centuries?
      Talk about delusional.

    • gravenimage says

      May 26, 2016 at 1:49 am

      What a load of rot. Muslims are trying to destroy Israel, and genocide of the Jews is a key part of their eschatology.

      Muslims are assaulting and murdering Jews today in Europe and in Israel. The idea that they have a central leadership and goals is just vicious antisemitic calumny.

    • quotha raven says

      May 26, 2016 at 4:43 am

      To Jabeth – Are you out of your tiny mind?

      Cheers!

      quotha raven

    • Tom W Harris says

      May 27, 2016 at 4:40 am

      Bunk.

  7. ich says

    May 25, 2016 at 9:46 am

    wow this makes me feel ill

    wtf !!!!!!!!!!!

  8. Fred M says

    May 25, 2016 at 9:47 am

    There seems to be a worldwide problem with Western politicians, they lack spines.

  9. Angemon says

    May 25, 2016 at 10:28 am

    Would this law enable private citizens from other countries to sue the US government?

    • Jack Diamond says

      May 25, 2016 at 4:50 pm

      They already can, in certain cases. The Alien Torte Statue of 1789 empowers federal judges to hear lawsuits brought by foreign individuals who were personally harmed by violations of international law or US treaties. Thus, Dr. Humberto Alvarez-Machain, suspected of involvement in the murder of a DEA agent in Mexico, was abducted, not extradited, back to the U.S. to stand trial (in 1990). The charges were dismissed. The Doctor filed suit, under the Alien Torte Statue, against the U.S. and was awarded $25,000.

      The Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act prohibits lawsuits by American citizens against foreign governments, with exceptions. Meaning it has been waived. As it could be in the matter of Saudi Arabia.

      “The survivors of Orlando Letelier, former Chilean ambassador to the United States, were allowed to sue the Chilean government after it was established in criminal proceedings that Letelier had been killed in a Washington bombing involving four operatives and senior officials of the Chilean intelligence services and two Cuban exiles.

      “The widow of Henry Liu, a Chinese journalist and critic of the Taiwan government, was allowed to sue Taiwan after a federal court ruled that her husband had been slain in California by two Chinese gang members acting for Adm. Wong Hsi-ling, former director of Taiwan’s Defense Intelligence Bureau.
      A federal judge in Washington found in the Letelier case that Chile did not qualify for immunity because the assassination plot had been carried out by intelligence operatives targeting critics of Chilean dictator Augusto Pinochet.

      In his ruling, the judge said a foreign government “has no discretion to perpetrate . . . action that is clearly contrary to the precepts of humanity as recognized in both national and international law.”

      >Well? 9/11?<

      "Libya, which sponsored the bombing of Pan Am Flight 103 over Lockerbie, Scotland, on Dec. 21, 1988, killing 270 people.

      When a relative of one victim first sued Libya, a federal court in New York threw out the suit, citing the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act. Families of Pan Am victims then lobbied Congress and won passage of the exemption citing aircraft sabotage and other criminal acts.

      With that provision of the law in place, the families sued again and won. Libya negotiated a $2.7 billion settlement, most of which has been paid out.

      http://articles.philly.com/2008-06-02/news/24990158_1_foreign-governments-federal-court-foreign-sovereign-immunities-act

      • Jack Diamond says

        May 25, 2016 at 4:52 pm

        discombobulated the Chilean and Taiwan paragraphs, but you get the jist

      • Angemon says

        May 29, 2016 at 7:09 am

        Thank you for the info, Jack.

  10. Dave says

    May 25, 2016 at 10:32 am

    This rot is bipartisan…. True that, but other than people posting on the web what is being done? We awake to news of anarchists and illegal immigrants rioting in Albuquerque against the assembly of Trump supporters, but no protests against Schumer the senator from Mecca . This rot is bipartisan… So Placing faith in the elections is misplacing faith.

  11. Mark DeFord Eletion says

    May 25, 2016 at 11:37 am

    Here’s a possible remedy (not likely to ever be considered by congress):

    A new law to be proposed, which reestablishes privateering.

    –
    Establishment of General Letter of Marque for any US Citizen Harmed by any non-US Citizen

    Any US citizen harmed by any non-US Citizen shall not be prosecuted for the act of forcibly extracting compensation from any non-US Citizen, if that non-US citizen either directly caused the harm, or is a citizen of a foreign country or foreign group that caused the harm to occur.

    For the purposes of this act, US citizens who have received anything of value from the foreign person, group or country shall be considered non-US citizens and shall also be subject to extraction of compensation.
    –

    This would mean a 9/11 family could catch Chuck Schumer or any arab on the street and empty their pockets, among other fun things.

  12. FuturePresident says

    May 25, 2016 at 2:14 pm

    I will fix this. Obama is for false equality. I will be for true Justice. I will make America strong again. I will make it clear if you attack our country, there will be hell to pay.

  13. linnte says

    May 25, 2016 at 5:19 pm

    The Families of 9/11 need to go to Court to contest this deplorable addendum to the bill. I bet they win.

  14. Stephen says

    May 25, 2016 at 8:13 pm

    Gee! I’m shocked another treasonist, globalist sleaze bag in the senate. Good thing he’s the exception not the rule, right? Wake me up when a man of integrity actually does something virtuous and courageous in the senate. On second thoughts I couldn’t stand that much sleep.

  15. gravenimage says

    May 26, 2016 at 12:52 am

    At 11th hour, NY Senator Schumer upends bill making it easier for 9/11 families to sue Saudi Arabia
    …………………….

    *Deeply* disturbing.

  16. awake says

    May 26, 2016 at 11:00 am

    Schumer is a traitorous globalist, only concerned about keeping his seat in power. He supports the collective government oligarchy and always has. Since this is now nothing more than election year
    theatre to aid Schumer in his re-election, it all makes sense. When I read about this unanimous bill being passed, I was wondering how it could be undone. Being told that the bill was bi-partisan and unanimous, I still questioned how Obama could successfully veto it. We now find out that he doesn’t have to. The bill has been completely gutted, giving supposed rights to the people, if and only if, the Feds say so.

    This is similar to Schumer’s previous posturing on the Iran deal, being able to accommodate both sides by voting against it personally, solidifying his credentials in the Jewish community, while assuring the Obama administration that it had the votes to pass, the potential security of Eastern seaboard states like his own NY, be damned.

    He is one of the most despicable traitors currently infesting Congress, that’s for sure.

  17. Georg says

    May 26, 2016 at 10:13 pm

    “The section that was slipped in at the last minute — “Stay of Actions Pending State Negotiations” — leaves it up to the secretary of state to merely “certify” that the United States is “engaged in good-faith discussions with the foreign-state…”

    Saudis and their good Faith are what got us here. So now we’re waiting for John Kerry, Eric Holder, and Bandar Bush to do right by the American people regarding Islamofascism.

  18. Goddess says

    May 27, 2016 at 1:18 am

    Another treasonous son of a bitch. We can’t get Trump in fast enough.

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