by Annie Karni
Standing with a group of 9/11 families in front of the Southern reflecting pool at the 9/11 Memorial, Sen. Charles Schumer on Monday announced that the Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act (JASTA) will be considered on the upcoming anniversary of the attacks and that he expects the legislation to be passed by Congress by the year’s end. The proposed legislation would allow individuals to sue countries such as Saudi Arabia and Qatar, which have funded terrorist groups. Some courts have blocked terrorism-related claims, but the legislation would amend the anti-terrorism act so civil suits against foreign sponsors of terrorism can be held accountable in U.S. courts.
“Terrorism didn’t just happen on its own,” said Schumer, who is a co-sponsor of the legislation. “Of course, it took a group of fanatical evil people, but it also took money. There are many countries and groups that funded Al Qaeda. Today, similar countries and groups are funding ISIS, which could become a threat to us here in the homeland as Al Qaeda was… Our legislation will cut off resources for countries and groups to be able to aid the evil of terrorism.”
“Our goal is to get this done before December 31,” he added. “I think we have a darn good shot to make that happen. You never know what happens in Washington, but so far things look very, very good.”
Terry Strada, who lost her husband, Tom, on 9/11 in the attacks and serves as national co-chair of 9/11 Families United Against Justice for Terrorism, said the legislation would help prevent tragedies in the future. “I want to remind the American people, another attack like 9/11 or possibly of a greater magnitude can happen again,” she said, her two kids standing by her side. “If we don’t stop the flow of money going to the terrorists, I’m afraid it will happen again.”
Schumer said it “doesn’t matter” if lawsuits would created tensions with so-called allies like Saudi Arabia. “Justice must be done,” he said. “They did a horrible thing [by helping to fund Al Qaeda].”
Schumer’s Labor Day press conference appeared to surprise Memorial security guards. They approached the crowd after the event and said they did not know Schumer was planning to hold an event on the grounds and that they would have provided an American flag as a back drop if they had been warned about the event.
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