President Obama at a Sept. 11 ceremony in 2015. The Obama administration argues that the bill would put Americans at legal risk overseas. Credit Stephen Crowley/The New York Times
New York Times: Saudi Arabia Warns of Economic Fallout if Congress Passes 9/11 Bill
WASHINGTON — Saudi Arabia has told the Obama administration and members of Congress that it will sell off hundreds of billions of dollars’ worth of American assets held by the kingdom if Congress passes a bill that would allow the Saudi government to be held responsible in American courts for any role in the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks.
The Obama administration has lobbied Congress to block the bill’s passage, according to administration officials and congressional aides from both parties, and the Saudi threats have been the subject of intense discussions in recent weeks between lawmakers and officials from the State Department and the Pentagon. The officials have warned senators of diplomatic and economic fallout from the legislation.
Adel al-Jubeir, the Saudi foreign minister, delivered the kingdom’s message personally last month during a trip to Washington, telling lawmakers that Saudi Arabia would be forced to sell up to $750 billion in treasury securities and other assets in the United States before they could be in danger of being frozen by American courts.
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Update: Saudi Arabia threatens to sell off US assets if Congress passes 9/11 bill (The Independent)
WNU Editor: The Saudi government made this threat last month .... but it is only being reported now? It looks like someone decided to leak this story on the eve of President Obama's trip to Saudi Arabia. Only a few news outlets are carrying this story (as of now) .... but this is in every way a big news story. Saudi Arabia is threatening the U.S., and while I do understand Saudi concerns that being blamed for 9/11 will open the door to multiple multi-billion dollar lawsuits .... I say the truth can only set you free. My advice to Congress .... call their bluff .... and demand that the President release the 28 pages that are still classified top secret that pertain to Saudi Arabia's connections to the 9/11, and see what happens next.