Bill Allowing 9/11 Victims to Sue Saudi Arabia

In September 2016, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a bill allowing families of 9/11 victims to sue the Saudi Arabian government.

The legislation, officially known as the Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act (JASTA), had been sponsored by Senators John Cornyn (R-Texas) and Chuck Schumer (D-New York) and was previously approved by the Senate in May 2016.

At the time, President Barack Obama strongly opposed the bill, warning that it could set a precedent allowing other nations to sue the United States under similar circumstances. Speaking to CBS News’ Charlie Rose in April 2016, Obama explained:

“If we open up the possibility that individuals in the United States can routinely start suing other governments, then we are also opening up the United States to being continually sued by individuals in other countries.”

Despite these warnings, the bill passed just days before the 15th anniversary of the September 11, 2001 attacks, which had killed thousands in New York, Washington, D.C., and Pennsylvania.

Even though Obama vetoed the bill in September 2016, Congress overrode his veto, making JASTA law. This was the first and only time Obama’s veto was overturned during his presidency.

What Has Happened Since?

Since 2016, JASTA has led to multiple lawsuits filed by families of 9/11 victims against Saudi Arabia, alleging that the kingdom provided material support to the terrorists. This was a significant legal shift, as sovereign immunity had previously protected foreign governments from such lawsuits.

One of the most significant developments occurred in May 2020, when an FBI document was accidentally declassified, revealing the name of a Saudi official suspected of aiding two of the 9/11 hijackers. This disclosure was seen as a breakthrough by families seeking justice, as it suggested a potential link between the hijackers and the Saudi embassy in Washington, D.C.

However, as of March 2025, no conclusive evidence has been presented proving Saudi Arabia’s direct involvement in the 9/11 attacks. Legal proceedings are ongoing, and the debate over the kingdom’s role remains unresolved.

The Impact of JASTA

JASTA set a legal precedent by allowing private citizens to challenge sovereign immunity, raising concerns about retaliatory lawsuits against the United States. Over the years, some U.S. officials have pushed for modifications to the law to prevent unintended diplomatic and economic consequences.

Despite these concerns, the fight for accountability continues, with families of 9/11 victims pursuing their legal claims nearly two decades after JASTA’s passage.