[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 147 (Wednesday, September 28, 2016)]
[Senate]
[Pages S6166-S6173]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
JUSTICE AGAINST SPONSORS OF TERRORISM ACT--VETO
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Under the previous order, the Senate will
resume consideration of the veto message to accompany S. 2040, which
the clerk will report.
The senior assistant legislative clerk read as follows:
Veto message to accompany S. 2040, the Justice Against
Sponsors of Terrorism Act.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Under the previous order, there will now be 2
hours of debate equally divided between the leaders or their designees.
The Senator from Connecticut.
Mr. BLUMENTHAL. Mr. President, I am honored to open the debate today
on the effort by this body and by the U.S. Congress to give the loved
ones of the victims of terrorism on 9/11 their day in court--simple
justice.
Fifteen years ago we stood in horror as our country suffered the
worst terrorist attack on the United States in the history of our
Nation. Nearly 3,000 innocent lives were lost, including heroic first
responders, firemen, police, and beloved honorable men and women--148
of them from my home State of Connecticut. Over these years, I have
watched and listened to them in their strength and courage as they have
tirelessly sought to make this system of justice work in the memory of
their loved ones.
The terrorists who struck on 9/11 tried and failed to destroy that
system of justice and the ideals of this Nation. Our hearts were
broken, but our country and our ideals were not.
Over the past 15 years, I have been honored to work with those
families. Today gives us the opportunity to move forward with
legislation, despite the President's veto.
I deeply respect the President and the reasons that he has given for
vetoing the Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act, but I urge my
colleagues to move swiftly and soundly to reverse this veto so these
families can have their day in court. That is what the legal system of
this country is designed to do. It is the system where I spent my
career before the Senate
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working to ensure accountability for wrongdoers and the restoration of
victims' rights--promises to citizens that are made by our Constitution
that there will be a neutral and fair forum to determine their claims.
These families will never get their loved ones back, but they deserve
justice and a day in court. That is why today we will, I hope, override
the President's veto.
Fifteen years after that tragedy we are still learning facts, but
there is mounting evidence that the Saudi Government--or at least
organizations and operatives within the Saudi Government--aided and
abetted one of the most massive crimes in the United States. In our
system, the truth behind those facts deserves to be presented in a
court--a court of law where fairness and justice will be assured. This
measure does not prejudge a verdict or issue a judgment. It gives both
sides a fair day in court.
If the Saudi Government had no involvement in 9/11, it has nothing to
fear. But if it was culpable, it should be held accountable. That is
the basic principle of this measure.
When all is said and done, the Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism
Act simply closes a loophole that was created by the courts, contrary
to the intent of this body. That loophole, in effect, permits foreign
governments to aid and abet crimes against the citizens of this country
as long as its aiding and abetting occurred outside of our borders.
Think of it as a missile launched from another country by terrorists
with the support and assistance of that foreign government. That
foreign government can evade any and all responsibility simply because
the missile was launched outside our borders. Similarly, the missile of
terrorism can be launched outside our borders and the foreign
government, including Saudi Arabia, is able to evade all responsibility
under the decision made by the Second Circuit Court of Appeals in New
York, which created that loophole. So that foreign government can give
terrorists bags of money and tons of explosives to carry out murder
within our borders, as long as it does so outside our borders. That is
wrong.
The principle here is broader and bigger than Saudi Arabia or even
the 9/11 victims. It is about simple justice. Our law should recognize
the reality that global crimes can be sponsored and supported outside
our borders and inflict grave harm, including murder, on the citizens
of our country within our borders.
This loophole will be closed by this measure for the benefit of not
only the 9/11 victims but also potential victims in the future. It will
send a message and deter violent crime in this country aided and
abetted by foreign governments in the future. It will deter that kind
of violence through an ideal and a tradition that is uniquely
American. It is a system of justice that imposes accountability and
makes sure that everybody has a fair day in court.
I know questions have been raised about potential retaliation or
reprisal against members of our military or citizens in other
countries. This Nation should stand firm and strong against terrorist
violence. We have nothing to fear as long as we do not engage in
supporting or sponsoring the kind of violence that occurred on 9/11
here. We must trust that our government would never be responsible for
that kind of aiding and abetting of deliberate killing of innocent
civilians, the purposeful massacre of people who are innocent.
I am honored to begin this debate. I hope it will be closed in a way
that vindicates the rights as well as the interests of our country. I
am proud to join colleagues on both sides of the aisle. This measure
has been bipartisan from the start.
I particularly thank my colleagues Senator Schumer and Senator Cornyn
for their leadership. I believe a bill unanimously passed by both
houses of Congress, strongly supported by both sides of the aisle,
deserves to become law. I trust and believe it will today.
Mr. President, I yield the floor.
I suggest the absence of a quorum.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Will the Senator withhold?
Mr. BLUMENTHAL. Yes.
Mrs. FISCHER. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order
for the quorum call be rescinded.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senate is not in a quorum call.
The Senator is recognized.
OSHA and Anhydrous Ammonia Storage
Mrs. FISCHER. Mr. President, I rise today to address a recent ruling
from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the DC Circuit. Last week, the court
issued a ruling that was a victory for America's ag producers and a
rebuke to Washington regulators. Specifically, the court ruled the
Occupational Safety and Health Administration, or OSHA, violated the
law when it imposed new limits on anhydrous ammonia storage.
I realize many of my colleagues may not be familiar with anhydrous
ammonia. But for those of us who make our living from the land, it is
the most cost-effective and commonly used fertilizer in production
agriculture. Anhydrous ammonia is an essential input for ag producers
in Nebraska and all across this country. It allows them to produce more
food while using less land, less water, and, yes, less fertilizer.
Producers receive anhydrous ammonia from retail facilities. In
Nebraska, these facilities are primarily farmer-owned cooperatives,
found in more than 400 locations across the State. These facilities
store anhydrous ammonia in tanks on their property, and since 1992,
these tanks have been exempt from certain OSHA regulations. But in
2015, OSHA issued a new standard affecting these retail fertilizer
facilities, and they did so illegally, without public notice or
industry input.
OSHA's new standard would have required retailers to provide
documentation that these tanks fit certain specifications. If a
retailer couldn't produce that paperwork, then he or she would be
required to purchase an entirely new tank. These tanks are expensive.
The starting price is in the neighborhood of $70,000. Furthermore,
anhydrous ammonia tanks vary in size from State to State, and several
tank manufacturers are no longer in business. OSHA's unrealistic
expectations made it impossible for these retailers and producers to
obtain the needed paperwork, which meant that these retailers would
have been forced to purchase those pricey new tanks, even though their
old ones worked just fine. Understandably, this became a major headache
for retailers and producers.
For example, in my home State of Nebraska, Central Valley Ag
Cooperative, which is located in York, anticipated compliance costs of
$5.6 million. This includes an additional $100,000 of ongoing
compliance costs every year. In Elmwood, NE, Midwest Farmers
Cooperative estimated producers would spend $20 to $28 more per acre
when applying fertilizer to their fields. Given the current state of
the farm economy, these increased costs would have been devastating.
They would have forced many farmers to leave the industry altogether.
That would be heartbreaking enough, but there was another, even more
troubling aspect to OSHA's standard. They never put it through the
required public notice and comment process. OSHA is required by law to
conduct this process, as are most Federal agencies, whenever they issue
a new regulation or standard. The public notice-and-comment period is a
built-in safeguard. It allows those who would be affected by a proposed
regulation to have their voices heard, and, ideally, the government
would listen to their voices. But OSHA didn't follow the rules. They
did not listen. They didn't even try to listen. They said their new
policy was effective immediately. That was unacceptable to me.
In response, this summer I introduced bipartisan legislation with
Senator Heidi Heitkamp known as the FARM Act. We offered this
legislation to provide relief to farmers and force OSHA to follow the
law.
Last week, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the DC Circuit reinforced
this legislation by forcing OSHA to vacate their illegal and harmful
standard. With this ruling, an important precedent has been set. The
court made it clear: OSHA improperly expanded the scope, complexity,
and costs of regulation on ag facilities that handle anhydrous ammonia.
By disrupting the supply of a vital fertilizer, OSHA would have
disrupted farming operations. Worse, they would have harmed farmers'
ability to do their jobs and also to provide for their families.
I am relieved that the courts came in and upheld the rule of law.
America's ag producers will now face one less hardship. They can focus
on feeding the
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world and providing for their own families.
At the same time, I remain appalled that OSHA would so brazenly
disregard the law in the first place. This is another example of why
the American people don't trust the Federal Government. Honestly, I
don't blame them. When the Federal Government doesn't follow its own
law, it destroys public trust. Out-of-control agencies, like OSHA,
which do not follow the law need to be stopped when their overly
burdensome regulations hurt Americans.
Let the American people do their jobs. Let them raise their families,
earn their living, and pursue their life's purpose. When the
bureaucracy fails to do this, it is the responsibility of Members of
Congress to step in. I am glad that I have done so.
Mr. President, I yield the floor.
Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that all time spent in a
quorum call before the vote on the veto message to accompany S. 2040 be
charged equally against each side.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
Mr. President, I suggest the absence of a quorum.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
The senior assistant legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
Mr. CORNYN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for
the quorum call be rescinded.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
Mr. CORNYN. Mr. President, as the Senate knows, today we are
considering the President's misguided decision to veto a piece of
legislation that passed this body unanimously by unanimous consent and
likewise passed the House of Representatives with no dissenting votes.
In our polarized politics of today, this is pretty much a close-to-
miraculous occurrence because Democrats and Republicans, Senators and
House Members, have all agreed the Justice Against Sponsors of
Terrorism Act, which gives the victims of a terrorist attack on our own
soil an opportunity to seek the justice they deserve--all of us have
come together and agreed this is appropriate and the right thing to do.
At a time when international terrorism is spreading, FBI Director
Comey yesterday warned of a terrorist diaspora. The Justice Against
Sponsors of Terrorism Act will send a strong message that those who
sponsor terrorist attacks on American soil, including foreign
governments, will answer to those victims and pay for the death and
destruction they cause.
Current law already allows for American victims to sue foreign
governments for many different offenses committed by their employees--
commercial wrongs, assault, drunk driving, rape, human trafficking,
among others. That is already part of existing law.
JASTA would clarify that sponsoring an act of terrorism in America is
added to that list. If we allowed lawsuits against foreign governments
for bar fights, contract breaches, drunk driving, then we should allow
the victims of a terrorist attack on our soil the opportunity for their
day in court as well. This is an important piece of legislation, and it
is straightforward. That is why I believe we got the unanimous support
in both bodies that we have.
I want to make clear, though, that this has not been a quick process.
This legislation has been pending since 2009, and we have worked
through a number of Members' concerns they have expressed along the way
in order to modify the legislation and build the consensus we now have
achieved. There have been many different drafts and feedback from
Members, a lot of consultations with family members who have been
affected, and a lot has gone into this legislation. That means this
bill has been negotiated and hammered out over a long period of time,
and that is the reason we were able to garner such strong support from
both bodies to get the bill passed.
Last Friday, the President chose to ignore the voices of American
terrorism victims by vetoing this legislation. Fortunately, today this
Chamber will have a choice and have a chance to exercise our
constitutional prerogative under article I, section 7 of the
Constitution. We will have a chance to act as a check on President
Obama to override his veto.
I have read President Obama's veto message, and it is not persuasive.
That is because it described a bill that doesn't exist and
misrepresents the state of the law. He cites concerns that the bill
would ``create complications'' with some of our close partners. The
truth is, JASTA only targets foreign governments that sponsor terrorist
attacks on American soil, plain and simple. I don't know how that would
create complications with some of our close partners.
The financing of terrorism in the United States is not behavior we
should tolerate from any nation, allies included. How can anyone look
the families in the eye and tell them they shouldn't have the
opportunity to seek justice against a foreign government responsible
for the death of their loved one?
The President has claimed this legislation would result in a flood of
lawsuits against Americans by foreign governments. What the President
ignores is that we are already being sued by foreign nations under the
current state of the law, but a law like JASTA applied reciprocally
will open no such floodgates.
The President even had the audacity to claim this legislation might
lead to lawsuits against members of the military, but had he read the
plain text of the bill, he would know this bill only allows for
lawsuits against foreign governments, not individuals. He would also
know it contains a specific exemption for our Armed Forces.
Finally, JASTA is not a sweeping legislative overhaul that
dramatically alters international law. It is an extension of law that
has been on the books since 1976. Once again, there are numerous
exceptions that prevent foreign governments from shielding themselves
from litigation when they cause harm.
The President has also complained this applies to conduct committed
abroad, but today and for 40 years our law has been replete with
immunity exceptions that apply to conduct committed abroad. This bill
just adds another exception.
At the end of the day, this vote is about doing what is right for the
American people. Some of our colleagues have expressed concerns about
how it might be interpreted by some of our allies, but the fact is,
this legislation does not mention any particular country. All it does
is it carves out an exception to this notion of sovereign immunity for
conduct committed in a terrorist attack on American soil.
The whole idea of sovereign immunity comes from England and our
Anglo-American inheritance in our law. The notion is that the King in
England could do no wrong so you couldn't sue the government, but we
have recognized the injustice that would cause, even in our own
country, when Congress has passed numerous exceptions under which the
U.S. Government can be sued in our own court, recognizing that equal
justice under the law does not create a situation where it should not
tolerate a situation where the government was simply immune from
litigation and paying its fair compensation in individual lawsuits.
This legislation is about pursuing justice and the legal process it
continues to serve as a foundation to our Republic. At its core, this
bill is about respecting the voices and the rights of American victims.
I believe we have many important allies around the world with whom our
interests are aligned, but when our interests diverge, and it is a
question of protecting American rights and American values, I think we
should always do that rather than somehow subjugate those rights and
values to the interests of some foreign government.
This is not about severing our relationship with any ally. This is
simply a matter of justice. This is about respecting the voices and the
rights of the American victims. At about noon today, this Chamber
should vote overwhelmingly to override President Obama's veto of the
Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act because the families have
already suffered too much. They have already suffered untold tragedy,
and they deserve to find a path to closure that only justice can
provide.
I, like many of my colleagues, have had a chance to meet with a
number of
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the families of the victims of 9/11. Their stories are heartbreaking,
and I know none of us will forget where we were on that fateful day.
Our country has changed undeniably, but for these families, that day
and each day serve as a tragic reminder of deep, personal loss.
One of these family members whom I have had the chance to get to know
is Marge Mathers, who now calls Texas home. Marge's husband Charles
worked on the 99th floor of the North Tower of the World Trade Center.
She says she turned on the television that fateful day and watched in
horror as the tower in which Charles was working collapsed.
Marge moved to Texas soon after September 11, but her grieving--and
our Nation's grieving--continues and of course will never completely
end. Long ago, I pledged to Marge and to other families I have met that
I would do my very level best to help them right this wrong and to
provide them an opportunity to make their case in a court of law. So we
will fix this law by extending this 1976 provision, the Foreign
Sovereign Immunities Act, to allow the families and the victims of the
9/11 tragedy to seek justice in a court of law in an American court.
These families should have the right to make their case. These
families should have the freedom to have their day in court, to have a
judge hear their case, and to hold accountable those who played a role
in their suffering. That is what this legislation is all about,
providing them the freedom to do so.
The families of the 9/11 terrorist attacks that occurred in the
United States have waited a long time, and I am hopeful they will not
have to wait any longer for the opportunity to pursue justice. I hope
every Member of this body will join me in supporting this bill one more
time and we will vote to override the President's veto and further the
cause of justice for these victims.
Mr. President, I yield the floor.
I suggest the absence of a quorum.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
The senior assistant legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
Mr. REID. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for
the quorum call be rescinded.
The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. Sullivan). Without objection, it is so
ordered.
Funding for Flint, Michigan
Mr. REID. Mr. President, I come to the floor today to give the people
of Flint, MI, the assurance that they are going to get some help after
more than a year. I have had an opportunity to meet with Senator
Stabenow. I talked with her a number of times this morning. I have had
occasion to visit with the majority leader, and I have spoken with
Leader Pelosi. I am convinced that there is going to be help for Flint
in the lameduck. They have been waiting for help, they deserve help,
and I am very happy that it is going to come. The people there deserve
relief. What is going on there has been wrong, but now I feel very
comfortable in being able to say that the people of Flint, MI, will get
help. I have had conversations with people who have been given the
assurance by the Republican leadership that something will happen in
the lameduck. We have been waiting a long time to get this done, and it
is going to happen.
As I indicated a minute ago, I have had a number of conversations
with Leader Pelosi this morning, and she--I never want to say what
someone said, but I can say that I felt comfortable, after speaking
with her, that the House feels comfortable with where they are on
Flint, and we feel comfortable here in the Senate.
I really appreciate the hard work of Senator Stabenow and Senator
Peters because they have been tireless, relentless to make sure the
people of Flint, MI, get some help.
I think it should be a good day for the Senate. It should lead to our
being able to move forward on the continuing resolution. There are a
couple of outstanding issues, but I think they should be able to be
resolved.
I yield the floor.
Mr. BLUMENTHAL. Mr. President, I suggest the absence of a quorum.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
The legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
Mr. CARDIN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for
the quorum call be rescinded.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
Mr. CARDIN. Mr. President, I take this time to speak about the
Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act, better known as JASTA.
I am going to support the veto override, but it is not without
concern for the potential unintended consequences. I have come to the
conclusion that the risk of shielding the perpetrators of terrorism
from justice outweighs the risks on how other countries might respond
to and perhaps compromise U.S. interests.
Fifteen years have passed since the September 11, 2001, terrorist
attacks, but in my home State of Maryland and across the country, the
pain caused by the events of that terrible day is still very real. The
9/11 attacks were a national tragedy for the United States, but we were
personally devastated for fathers, mothers, husbands, wives, and
children in Maryland and throughout the country. The 9/11 victims and
their families deserve meaningful relief, and I cannot support putting
obstacles in the way of victims of terrorism seeking justice.
I understand that this legislation may have an effect on long-held
sovereign immunity principles, and I share some of those concerns that
the President has articulated in his veto message. I share the
President's view about the importance of upholding sovereign immunity
to the extent that we can and to the extent that it makes sense, but
the principles of sovereign immunity were put in place at a time when
acts of international terrorism were not as common. Exceptions to
sovereign immunity have grown over time as times have changed. In
today's world, it is my view that we must make sure that the
international community understands that there is a clear distinction
between those who oppose terrorism and those who sponsor terrorism.
Those who commit or support terrorist acts in the United States should
face the full weight of our justice system.
JASTA's intended purpose is to create a tort exception that allows
victims and their families to seek justice for acts of international
terrorism in the United States that are caused by terrorist torts of a
foreign state or its officials. Terrorism victims and their families in
the United States should be able to have their day in court. We cannot,
in good conscience, close the courthouse door to those families who
suffered unimaginable losses.
I have confidence in the American jurisprudence system and that we
will get this right in order to respect the lawful acts of governments
but also to hold those who sponsor terrorism accountable under our
system of justice.
The legislation restricts the application of this exception. It only
applies to acts of terrorism on U.S. soil. It establishes a standard
that is greater than negligence in order to be able to have an
actionable claim. There is an ability for the government to stay the
proceedings to negotiate a settlement. So the U.S. Government can
intercede. I think these exceptions were put in and negotiated in order
to try to deal with some of the legitimate concerns that were initially
raised.
As ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, I
recognize that there are risk factors in terms of how other countries
may respond to the enactment of JASTA. As a nation with hundreds of
thousands of troops that serve abroad, not to mention multiple foreign
bases and facilities, the United States of America is a country that
benefits from sovereign immunity principles that protect our country
and our country's interests, its Armed Forces, government officials,
and litigation in foreign courts. Therefore, there is a concern of
unintended consequences, including irresponsible applications to U.S.
international activities by other countries.
While I have faith and confidence in the American legal system, the
same faith does not necessarily extend to the fairness of legal systems
of other countries that may claim they are taking similar actions
against America when they are not. So we need to follow closely how
other countries respond and try to mitigate the risks of the United
States abroad.
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In my role as the ranking member of the Foreign Relations Committee,
I intend to do just that. I will seek to work with my colleagues to try
to mitigate these risks, and I similarly support the efforts of the
State Department and Department of Defense to mitigate any risks to our
diplomacy, assets, and troops abroad that may be caused by the
enactment of JASTA.
I intend to explore with my colleagues the possibility of whether we
need or will need additional legislative action. Such additional
legislation would allow justice for family members of the victims of
the 9/11 attack while ameliorating some of the potential adverse
consequences of JASTA.
Near my Baltimore office in the Inner Harbor of Maryland, there has
been created a memorial to the victims of the 9/11 attacks. Inspired by
an artifact of the New York World Trade Center, the memorial consists
of three 22-foot-long twisted and torn amalgamated steel columns from
the Twin Towers. The memorial provides a place for contemplation and a
site to remember and reflect upon the events of September 11, 2001,
while paying tribute to the 69 Marylanders who lost their lives that
day. Each year on September 11, Baltimore's World Trade Center will act
as a sundial to mark the chronological inscriptions of the events of
that tragic day. Today we hold close in our hearts and prayers those
Marylanders who died on that day, as well as the families and friends
whose lives have been altered forever.
There are no actions we can take to sufficiently heal the pain and
suffering so many thousands of Americans carry with them 15 years after
that fateful September day, but our constituents and fellow citizens
are asking for a path to justice. This legislation creates that path,
and having weighed both sides carefully, I am compelled to uphold it.
With that, I yield the floor.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Iowa.
Mr. GRASSLEY. Mr. President, last Friday, President Obama vetoed the
Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act, JASTA. Given the
overwhelming, bipartisan support this legislation enjoys in both the
Senate and the House, I was surprised and hence very disappointed the
President disregarded the will of the People and chose this course of
action. He chose to use his veto pen, but today it is my hope and
expectation that the Senate will exercise its constitutional authority
to override that veto.
This legislation has been a truly bipartisan effort since the day it
was introduced. I joined Senators Cornyn and Schumer as an original
cosponsor last year.
Our bill is sponsored by 16 members of the Senate Judiciary
Committee. And if you know anything about the Judiciary Committee, you
know that getting 16 members of our committee to agree on any
legislation is no small task. We have some very conservative members,
as well as some very liberal members. Getting all of those members on
board with this important legislation is a testament to just how broad
its support really is.
I moved this legislation out of our committee unanimously in
February, and then the full Senate passed it unanimously in May. The
House followed suit and passed it in September. Like the Senate, the
House passed the legislation unanimously.
That is how this legislation arrived on the President's desk. It was
sent to him with unanimous support in both the Senate and House, from
Republicans and Democrats, conservatives and liberals.
But it has run into some opposition. Of course, it is not opposed by
the victims of 9/11 and their families. They aren't asking for
legislation that tips the scales in their favor. All they want is the
opportunity to present their case in a court of law. And that is what
this legislation would give them.
The legislation has run into opposition because it is opposed by
Saudi Arabia, who has been making threats against the United States
about what it might do if Congress stands with the American people and
9/11 victims and their families, instead of the Saudis. Now, according
to press reports, the Saudis have gone out and hired an army of
lobbyists to work furiously in a last-minute attempt to derail it.
So on what exactly has the White House and Saudi Arabia based its
opposition?
They have made a lot of claims, but the one you hear most often is
that if the United States stands with the 9/11 victims on this
legislation and provides them the opportunity to make their case in
court, then other countries could try to haul U.S. soldiers and other
personnel into their courts.
But what this claim ignores, of course, is that JASTA does not allow
lawsuits against individuals, only foreign governments, JASTA expressly
prohibits lawsuits arising from ``acts of war.'' So any claim by the
President that this is all about protecting U.S. personnel from being
hauled into foreign courts just doesn't hold water.
The second most common argument some are making is that if Congress
stands up to the President, the Saudis and their lobbyists, and this
legislation becomes law, then the Saudis will respond by pulling their
money out of U.S. securities. Well, let's set aside the fact that this
appears to be an empty threat. It is highly unlikely that they would
follow through on it. But even if they did, there would be plenty of
buyers for those securities. But more importantly, is this really how
we should be deciding policy? What kind of message would that send to
other foreign governments?
The message would be clear: if you want to influence U.S.
legislation, make sure to buy up U.S. debt, and then threaten to sell
that debt any time the United States Congress does something you don't
like.
We absolutely cannot be intimidated or bend to that type of threat.
That would send a terrible message to the rest of the world.
So, it is unfortunate President Obama vetoed this important
legislation and that we now need to have this vote.
But, it is my hope and expectation that the Senate--and the House--
will stand with the 9/11 victims and their families, and stand up to
the President, the Saudis, and their army of lobbyists.
I yield the floor.
Mrs. FEINSTEIN. Mr. President, the decision whether to override the
President's veto of the Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act has
been a difficult one.
Every Member of this body has vivid memories of September 11: the
fires raging in the towers, smoke billowing from the Pentagon, a plane
destined for the Capitol, but taken down by brave Americans--the sense
that this Nation would never be the same.
I strongly support the ability of Americans who are victims of
terrorism on U.S. soil to receive compensation and their fair measure
of justice. That, at its core, is the goal of this bill.
I have met with the families. I know many of those killed or injured
in the attacks were not only the breadwinners in their families, but
also mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, cousins and friends. I know
the families' deep and abiding sense of grief is just as intense today
as it was 15 years ago.
This bill has elements that are very strong and have my unqualified
support. For example, it expands the Antiterrorism Act to allow victims
to hold accountable individuals who aid and abet or conspire to commit
terrorist attacks.
I have decided to support the bill today, but continue to be
concerned about unintended consequences that may require Congress to
revisit this bill in the future.
My key concern relates to the exception to the immunity of foreign
governments. Proponents of this bill argue that the exception is
narrow, that it applies only if a foreign nation, with ill intent,
takes unlawful actions that cause an act of terrorism on our soil.
But other nations that are strongly opposed to American actions
abroad could respond by using the bill as an excuse to adopt laws that
target our own government's actions.
A September 15 Washington Post editorial said it well: ``It is not a
far-fetched concern, given this country's global use of intelligence
agents, Special Operations forces and drones, all of which could be
construed as state-sponsored `terrorism' when convenient.''
Those of us on the Senate Intelligence Committee know that, if other
countries respond to JASTA in this
[[Page S6171]]
manner, it could jeopardize our government's actions abroad. If that
happens, it is likely that our government would be forced to defend
against private lawsuits, which could pose a threat to our national
security.
I had hoped some agreement could be reached to narrow the bill's
scope to limit those unintended consequences, such as by limiting the
bill to the September 11 attacks.
I believe the threat of unintended consequences is real and must be
mitigated. To that end I have signed a letter with several of my
colleagues who feel as I do that this issue will have to be revisited.
I intend to work with my colleagues on a bill that would limit this
bill to the 9/11 attacks, which were singularly devastating to our
country. In addition, I intend to look into whether we should limit the
bill to apply only to those directly impacted by an attack--including
individuals, their estates and property damage, rather than companies
with only tangential connections.
Mr. GRASSLEY. I suggest the absence of a quorum.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
The legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
Mr. CORKER. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for
the quorum call be rescinded.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
Mr. CORKER. Mr. President, over the course of the last several days,
I have met with the victims of 9/11 and, like many people in this body
have, I don't think I have ever met a more gracious, genuine, sincere
group of people. I know they have sought some way of expressing their
desire to seek justice in what happened on 9/11. We all have
constituents who come up and meet with us. These people certainly have
not been from the State of Tennessee, but I have to say, they have
presented their case in a way that is most heartfelt, and I have
tremendous empathy for all they and their families have gone through.
Yesterday, on the way outside the building, a gentleman came up to me,
recognized me, and told me about sitting in his home and seeing the
planes go overhead, seeing them kill his wife. He talked to me about
the conversation he had with the FBI agent, whom they have now gotten
to know, about what had happened.
Senator Schumer and Senator Cornyn have done a remarkable job in
shepherding through this piece of legislation. I give them tremendous
credit for what they have done. I do want to say, I don't think the
Senate nor House has functioned in an appropriate manner as it relates
to a very important piece of legislation. We have had no hearings in
the U.S. Senate this Congress, and we have had no vote--no vote
whatsoever--of record on this piece of legislation. As a matter of
fact, today will be the first vote. There is no doubt by fact that we
went through the unanimous consent process and no one objected. No one
objected. No doubt that registered our ``yes'' votes, if you will,
without a record on this piece of legislation.
Yesterday I brought my niece and nephew to this building before it
opened, and I told them about the fact that there is a place in the
back here that from time to time I have gone to pray before a big vote,
and how in recent times there haven't been many votes that have been
that decisive or that have weighed on me as much as this vote today.
Today is one of those votes.
I have tremendous concerns about the sovereign immunity procedures
that could be set in place by other countries as a result of this vote.
I do. For that reason, I have circulated a letter that lays out those
concerns, and numbers of people within this body have signed that
letter. They have said we feel there could be in fact unintended
consequences as a result of what we know is going to happen today.
I have seen our country's standing in the world be eroded over the
course of the last several years. I know there is debate over that. In
my opinion, I have seen our standing erode. I am concerned about the
consequences that over time this vote will have on that. At the same
time, I believe the victims of 9/11 do deserve an outlet, a way,
themselves, of seeking justice in this particular case.
This, to me, is not about Saudi Arabia, it is about us, and I don't
think the Senate has yet gotten it right as it relates to the best way
for the 9/11 victims to seek that justice. I know this bill provides
them a way for that to occur. I don't think it is perfect. I think a
better way might have been to establish some type of tribunal, where
experts could come in and really identify what actually happened on
discretionary decisions that took place within the country of Saudi
Arabia.
We make decisions around here that we believe are to be in our
national interests. I have had tremendous difficulty with this one.
That is the reason we have generated a letter of concern to the two
sponsors of this bill who have handled this in the manner they have.
They have done an exemplary job. To me, the Senate has not functioned
quite in the manner that it should, nor has the House, and I think we
end up today with an imperfect solution.
I have concerns about this legislation not having a waiver. I have
concerns about the fact that over time, if this continues to build upon
itself, we as a body--a body that, to me, could use some great
strengthening. To me, we have a body that is in the process of building
itself back to the place it ought to be, and we have done that over the
last couple of years. Let's face it. The institution of the United
States Senate itself has diminished over time, and we have work to do
to overcome that.
On balance, I think this bill has problems. I think we will be
dealing with overcoming this over time, and I know numbers of us have
joined together to express that, but I do think that to be consistent
and to give the victims who have lost so much an opportunity to express
themselves in this way is the appropriate thing to do at this time.
I have read the concerns that have been expressed by the head of our
Joint Chiefs. I read the letter that came over from the President.
Certainly, there are significant and important points to have been
made. As a matter of fact, 6 months ago those points might have led us
to a slightly different place today.
So with tremendous reservations and concerns about where this
legislation is going to lead us, with tremendous empathy toward the
victims--who have lived through so much, have seen loved ones gone, it
has affected their lives and will affect their lives for the long
term--I am going to support passage of this legislation today, but I do
so understanding that there could be in fact unintended consequences
that work against our national interests, and with a determination--
should that occur--to work with others within this body to try to
overcome that.
Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that a bipartisan letter to
Senators Cornyn and Schumer regarding S. 2040, the Justice Against
Sponsors of Terrorism Act, from myself and Senators Cardin, Graham,
Feinstein, Alexander, Warner, Rounds, Reed, Roberts, Coons, Flake,
Udall, Coats, Nelson, Thune, Shaheen, King, Carper, Cotton, McCaskill,
Sullivan, Merkley, Risch, Schatz, McCain, Heitkamp, Hirono, and Bennet
be printed in the Record.
There being no objection, the material was ordered to be printed in
the Record, as follows:
September 28, 2016.
Hon. John Cornyn,
U.S. Senate,
Washington, DC.
Hon. Charles E. Schumer,
U.S. Senate,
Washington, DC.
Dear Senators Cornyn and Schumer: We are writing regarding
the anticipated override of the president's veto of S. 2040,
the Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act (JASTA).
We appreciate the efforts that you have undertaken to allow
the families who lost loved ones on September 11, 2001 to
have additional recourse.
We have a great deal of compassion for the families and
respect their desire for justice. We understand your purpose
in drafting this legislation is to remove obstacles so those
who commit or support terrorist acts in the United States
face the full range of consequences of the U.S. legal system.
However, concerns have been raised regarding potential
unintended consequences that may result from this legislation
for the national security and foreign policy of the United
States. If other nations respond to this bill by weakening
U.S. sovereign immunity protections, then the United States
could face private lawsuits in foreign courts as a result of
important military or intelligence activities.
[[Page S6172]]
We would hope to work with you in a constructive manner to
appropriately mitigate those unintended consequences.
Sincerely,
Bob Corker (R-TN), Ben Cardin (D-MD), Lindsey Graham (R-
SC), Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Lamar Alexander (R-TN),
Mark Warner (D-VA), Mike Rounds (R-SD), Jack Reed (D-
RI), Pat Roberts (R-KS), Chris Coons (D-DE), Jeff Flake
(R-AZ), Tom Udall (D-NM), Dan Coats (R-IN), Bill Nelson
(D-FL).
John Thune (R-SD), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Angus King (I-
ME), Tom Carper (D-DE), Tom Cotton (R-AR), Claire
McCaskill (D-MO), Dan Sullivan (R-AK), Jeff Merkley (D-
OR), Jim Risch (R-ID), Brian Schatz (D-HI), John McCain
(R-AZ), Heidi Heitkamp (D-ND), Mazie Hirono (D-HI),
Michael Bennet (D-CO).
Mr. CORKER. With that, Mr. President, I yield the floor. I know the
distinguished Senator from New York who sponsored this bill wishes to
speak.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from New York.
Mr. SCHUMER. Mr. President, how much time is left on each side?
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Democrats have 14 minutes remaining. The
majority has 1 minute remaining.
Mr. SCHUMER. I ask unanimous consent that I be allowed to finish my
remarks and the vote occur immediately thereafter.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there objection?
Without objection, it is so ordered.
Mr. SCHUMER. Mr. President, I thank my colleague from Tennessee. I
know he comes at this with the best of intentions and spirit. We
disagree, but he is an expert on foreign policy, and we all respect his
judgment.
I rise to speak on behalf of my bill, the Justice Against Sponsors of
Terrorism Act, or JASTA. Soon we will vote on whether to override the
President's veto of this bill. This is a decision I do not take
lightly, but as one of the authors of this legislation and a firm
believer in its purpose, I believe the Senate should confidently vote
to override, and I will lay out the reasons why as clearly as I can.
The bill is 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, finally giving them the legal avenue to pursue the foreign
sponsors of a terrorist attack that took the lives of their loved ones.
Unfortunately, the courts in New York have dismissed the 9/11
victims' claims against certain foreign entities alleged to have helped
the 9/11 attacks. These courts are following what I believe is a
fundamentally incorrect reading of the Foreign Sovereign Immunities
Act. Do we want it established inflexibly in precedent that foreign
countries, directly responsible for financing terrorist acts on U.S.
soil, are beyond the reach of justice? I don't think so. I don't think
that. In an age where we have state sponsors of terrorism, I don't
think that is what the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act ever intended.
For the sake of these families, it should be made clear--beyond a
shadow of a doubt--that every entity, including foreign states, will be
held accountable if they are sponsors of heinous acts like 9/11. It is
very simple. If the Saudis were culpable, they should be held
accountable. If they had nothing to do with 9/11, they have nothing to
fear.
I might add, the families are not simply seeking justice for
themselves. They want to make sure Saudi Arabia or any other country in
the future knows they will pay the consequences if they aid and abet
terrorism. In a certain real sense, they are lighting a candle.
When tragedy befalls somebody in a horrible and irrational way, a
vicious way--as has befallen these families--the natural instinct the
Scriptures tell us is to curse the darkness--why me?--to be angry, to
turn inward, to wish the world would go away, but these families, with
amazing fortitude, persistence, and courage, are lighting a candle.
They are trying to make the world a better place, even though it will
never bring their loved ones back, so it will never happen again. I so
respect that, among many other things, about them.
Let me address the foreign policy concerns some may have about the
bill from which the veto arises. Senator Cornyn and I have discussed in
depth many times on the floor how we have narrowed the bill to strike
the proper balance between our interests abroad and the right of our
citizens to obtain redress when they are victims of terrorism on U.S.
soil. In fact, we penned a joint op-ed on that question in USA TODAY.
Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that article be printed in the
Record.
There being no objection, the material was ordered to be printed in
the Record, as follows:
[From USA TODAY, Sept. 27, 2016]
Give 9/11 Families a Legal Avenue: Opposing View
(By Chuck Schumer and John Cornyn)
The Senate will vote Wednesday on whether to override the
president's veto of our bill, the Justice Against Sponsors of
Terrorism Act (JASTA). As the authors of this legislation and
firm believers in its purpose, we believe the Senate should
confidently vote to override the veto. JASTA was written for
one main purpose: to clarify under the Foreign Sovereign
Immunities Act (FSIA) and the Anti-terrorism Act that every
entity, including foreign states, must be held accountable if
they are found to be sponsors of heinous acts of terrorism on
U.S. soil.
If the veto is overridden, this legislation would provide a
legal avenue for the families of the victims of the 9/11
attacks to seek justice in a court of law for the terrorist
attacks that took the lives of their loved ones. And it would
deter foreign entities from sponsoring terrorism in the
future.
The concerns we've heard about the legislation don't hold
up to scrutiny. JASTA's opponents claim that the bill will
subject U.S. diplomats and other government officials to a
raft of potential lawsuits in foreign courts. Not true; JASTA
simply builds on well-established principles under FSIA.
It returns the law to the way it was before a 2008 court
case that granted sovereign immunity even in terrorism cases
where citizens are murdered on U.S. soil. In the decades
before this, there was no flood of lawsuits against U.S.
interests.
Consistent with FSIA, as designed by Congress, victims can
sue a foreign government if one of its employees causes
damage arising from drunken driving, assault or breach of
contract. If U.S. victims can sue a foreign government for
these reasons, they should be able to sue a foreign
government that harms their loved ones by financing a terror
attack on our homeland.
There is always an excuse not to do something, but the
chief argument used by JASTA's detractors is flimsy. When
weighed against the moral imperative to do right by the
families of the 9/11 victims--who continue to strongly
advocate for this bill--the choice is clear: Senators should
vote to override.
Mr. SCHUMER. I wish to read a section of the op-ed that addresses the
chief concern of JASTA's opponents:
JASTA's opponents claim that the bill will subject U.S.
diplomats and other government officials to a raft of
potential lawsuits in foreign courts. Not true; JASTA simply
builds on well-established principles under [the Foreign
Sovereign Immunities Act].
It returns the law to the way it was before a 2008 court
case that granted sovereign immunity even in terrorism cases
where citizens are murdered on U.S. soil. In the decades
before this, there was no flood of lawsuits against U.S.
interests.
Consistent with FSIA, as designed by Congress, victims can
sue a foreign government if one of its employees causes
damage arising from drunken driving, assault or breach of
contract. If U.S. victims can sue a foreign government for
these reasons, they should be able to sue a foreign
government that harms their loved ones by financing a terror
attack on our homeland.
Senator Cornyn and I have worked very hard over the course of 6 years
and several iterations of the bill to strike the right balance. It has
been a long work in progress, and I believe the measure of our success
is reflected by the unanimous support the bill received in both Houses
of Congress. In this body, not a single person objected when it was
brought to the floor to be voted on.
Democrats and Republicans don't agree on much these days, but we
agree on JASTA. Both parties agree the families of the 9/11 victims
deserve justice. That, more than anything else, should weigh most
heavily on our minds today.
It has been 15 years since that awful day--a day that changed every
New Yorker, every American. We will never forget the shock, the fear,
the holes in our hearts, the friends and neighbors and loved ones we
lost, the first responders and union workers and firefighters and
policemen who bravely rushed to the towers searching for signs of life
in that smoldering rubble. I was there the day after. The smell of
death was in the air. As a nation, we came together. We rebuilt. As New
Yorkers, we did the same thing, but we will never ever forget. In this
debate,
[[Page S6173]]
we cannot forget what this legislation means to the families of
victims.
It has been 15 years since Ms. Terry Estrada lost her husband Tom,
who worked in the North Tower. Terry didn't just lose a husband, she
lost a father to a young son 7, daughter of 4, and a newborn baby boy.
She lost a loving father and her best friend. Terry and her children
have championed this bill for over a decade. I thank them and all the
other families--especially Monica Gabrielle, Mindy Kleinberg, Lorie Van
Auken, Kristin Breitweiser, Patty Casazza--for their tireless advocacy
and patience. Of course, no compensation could ever repair the broken
hearts of a family who lost a loved one to such mindless hate, but as
Jane Bartels, a mother from Staten Island who lost her husband Carlton
on that sunny morning 15 years ago put it recently, ``We just want our
day in court.'' ``We just want our day in court.''
The victims of 9/11 and other terrorist acts have suffered such pain
and heartache, but they should not be denied their day in court. They
should not be denied their pursuit of justice.
There is always an excuse not to do something, but as Senator Cornyn
and I have explained, the chief argument used by JASTA's detractors is
not strong. In fact, it is flimsy. When weighed against the moral
imperative, we have to do right by the families of the 9/11 victims.
The choice is clear. I urge my colleagues to override.
I yield the floor.
The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. Sasse). The question is, Shall the bill
(S. 2040) pass, the objections of the President of the United States to
the contrary notwithstanding?
The yeas and nays are required under the Constitution.
The clerk will call the roll.
The senior assistant legislative clerk called the roll.
Mr. DURBIN. I announce that the Senator from Virginia (Mr. Kaine) and
the Senator from Vermont (Mr. Sanders) are necessarily absent.
I further announce that, if present and voting, the Senator from
Virginia (Mr. Kaine) would vote yea.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Are there any other Senators in the Chamber
desiring to vote?
The yeas and nays resulted--yeas 97, nays 1, as follows:
[Rollcall Vote No. 148 Leg.]
YEAS--97
Alexander
Ayotte
Baldwin
Barrasso
Bennet
Blumenthal
Blunt
Booker
Boozman
Boxer
Brown
Burr
Cantwell
Capito
Cardin
Carper
Casey
Cassidy
Coats
Cochran
Collins
Coons
Corker
Cornyn
Cotton
Crapo
Cruz
Daines
Donnelly
Durbin
Enzi
Ernst
Feinstein
Fischer
Flake
Franken
Gardner
Gillibrand
Graham
Grassley
Hatch
Heinrich
Heitkamp
Heller
Hirono
Hoeven
Inhofe
Isakson
Johnson
King
Kirk
Klobuchar
Lankford
Leahy
Lee
Manchin
Markey
McCain
McCaskill
McConnell
Menendez
Merkley
Mikulski
Moran
Murkowski
Murphy
Murray
Nelson
Paul
Perdue
Peters
Portman
Reed
Risch
Roberts
Rounds
Rubio
Sasse
Schatz
Schumer
Scott
Sessions
Shaheen
Shelby
Stabenow
Sullivan
Tester
Thune
Tillis
Toomey
Udall
Vitter
Warner
Warren
Whitehouse
Wicker
Wyden
NAYS--1
Reid
NOT VOTING--2
Kaine
Sanders
The PRESIDING OFFICER. On this vote, the yeas are 97, the nays are 1.
Two-thirds of the Senators voting, a quorum being present, having
voted in the affirmative, the bill, on reconsideration, is passed, the
objections of the President of the United States to the contrary
notwithstanding.
____________________