U.S. Braces for Saudi Reaction to Congress Vote

Posted: September 28th, 2016

By Robert Richer

Robert Richer served as a former Associate Deputy Director for Operations at the CIA. He retired in 2005 and before his retirement he also served as Chief of the Near East and South Asia Division, responsible for Clandestine Service Operations throughout the Middle East and South Asia. Mr. Richer currently consults on Middle East and national security issues and is a senior partner with International Advisory Partners.

President Barack Obama maintains Congress made a “mistake” on Wednesday when it voted to override his veto of a bill allowing U.S. families of 9/11 victims to sue Saudi Arabian officials. The bill overwhelmingly passed into law by a vote of 97-1 in the Senate and by 348-77 in the House of Representatives. Its passage marked the first veto override of the Obama Presidency.

During a CNN presidential town hall, Obama said the bill, known as the Justice Against Sponsors of Terror Act (JASTA), could expose U.S. companies, troops, and officials to potential lawsuits overseas. CIA Director John Brennan said the vote had “grave implications” for national security.

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