FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 28, 2016
CONTACT
Yasmine Evans, 202-225-8699
Edwards Statement in Voting to Sustain the President’s Veto of JASTA
Washington, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Donna F. Edwards (MD-4) released the following statement on the House of Representatives vote to override President Obama’s veto of S. 2040, the Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act (JASTA). The House voted 348-77 to override.
“The attack on September 11, 2001, continues to haunt all of us, especially the families and friends of those 2,977 who lost their lives, including 48 Marylanders, and first responders who bravely ran into danger to help. I extend my deepest sympathies to the survivor families and victims who lost their lives on that horrific day. I understand and appreciate the 9/11 families’ desire to rightfully pursue justice” said Congresswoman Edwards.
“I voted to sustain the President’s veto in hopes of allowing additional time for Congress and the Administration to write a more carefully crafted measure that would not place service members, diplomats and other Americans at risk. I share the President’s concern that such a sudden and rushed change in our long-established practice regarding sovereign immunity would have unintended consequences for American citizens around the world. The prospect of foreign governments acting “reciprocally” by allowing their courts to exercise jurisdiction over the United States and its employees for alleged actions overseas would not serve our national interests.”
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