Into account the negative impact on u. S. National security interests. Think we all recognize that the emotions associated with 9 11 are still quite comfortable. I was up at the ground zero this week and the victims families are still seeking justice but the 9 11 Commission Report are senior saudi officials are responsible for the 9 11 attacks. That said piercing the concept of sovereign immunity which is undergirded International Relations for centuries i think is a very dangerous slippery slope that we are going to get on and will start to pass similar legislation that is going to haul the United States into court overseas even for the most frivolous of charges and allegations in what u. S. Has done overseas so i think its much more than just going after an individual of the saudi government. It is what does this mean as far sitcom set is . I want to come back to the saudi issue which is extremely controversial issue. It was 971 harry reid was the only one who voted against this open
Over a decade. I thank them and all the other families, especially monica gabriel, kristin britwiser, patty casaza, for their tireless advocacy and patience. Of course, no compensation could ever repair the broken hearts of a family that 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 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 heartacres but they should not be denied their day in court. They should not be denied their pursuit of justice. Mr. President , theres always an excuse not to do something, but as senator cornyn and i have explained, the chief argument used by jastas detractors is not strong. In fact, its 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. Thank you. I yie
Leaders h. R. Their designees. Between the leaders or their designees. Mr. Blumenthal thank you, mr. President. I am honored to open the debate today on the forts by this body and the United States congress to give loved ones of the victims of terrorism on 9 11 their day in court simpler justice. 15 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 and 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 sought tirelessly 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,