U.S. House Speaker Paul Ryan called for a review of the highly-debated 9/11 bill to ensure that it would not strain the country's diplomatic relations with Saudi Arabia and other countries. The Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act faced setbacks when the White House warned it would veto the legislation for fear of dramatic repercussions.
"I think we need to review it to make sure that we're not making mistakes with our allies and that we're not catching people in this that shouldn't be caught up in this," Republican Senator Paul Ryan told Reuters.
The bill would allow families of the victims of the 9/11 terror attacks to sue Saudi Arabia for any role it played. Most of the 19 identified hijackers were Saudi nationals.
White House spokesman Josh Earnest said President Barack Obama did not support the legislation and will veto it.
Senate Foreign Relations Committee chairman Bob Corker also expressed his doubts about the legislation, saying there are "some sovereignty immunity issues that need to be worked through."
The POTUS, however, has failed to convince Senate Democrats to oppose the bill, which is perceived to jeopardize the United States' relationship with its Middle Eastern ally. Moreover, the White House fears the passage of the bill would expose Americans overseas to great risk.
"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," Obama explained, Philly reported.
A potential risk being looked it is the economic crisis that would follow if Saudi Arabia sells billions worth of U.S. assets once the bill is passed.
"These families lost loved ones through terrorism. If the Saudis were complicit - if the Saudi government was complicit in that terrorism - they should pay the price," Senator Charles Schumer said, as quoted by The Hill.
Families of the victims of the 9/11 attacks are "greatly distressed" by Obama's decision to oppose the bill. The families also mounted pressure on Obama to permit the release of U.S. intelligence documents on Saudi Arabia's possible involvement in the terror attacks.
