(MENAFN- Kuwait News Agency (KUNA)) WASHINGTON, Sept 27 (KUNA) -- US Secretary of Defense Ash Carter warned Congress on Tuesday that the Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act (JASTA) could have "devastating" consequences for US troops overseas.
The proposed law, which allows families of the victims of the 9/11 attacks to sue governments for an alleged role, was vetoed by President Barack Obama but may be overridden by the Senate on Wednesday.
"Its potential second- and third-order consequences could be devastating to the (Defense) Department and its Service members and could undermine our important counterterrorism efforts abroad," said Carter in a letter to the House Armed Services Committee Chair Mac Thornberry.
Carter argued that the expansion would subject "many of the United States' allies and partner nations to litigation in US courts" and could break sovereign immunity for US officials that do not "directly mirror those created by JASTA." "This is likely to increase our country's vulnerability to lawsuits overseas and to encourage foreign governments or their courts to exercise jurisdiction over the United States or US officials in situations in which we believe the United States is entitled of sovereign immunity," Carter said.
Meanwhile, White House Spokesperson Josh Earnest said that he does not "deny the political and emotional power" to the arguments of those in favor of the bill. But said he would not make a prediction about the possibility of a Congressional override, when asked by reporters.
"Democrats on Capitol Hill work very effectively to try to champion ideas that the president supports as well. And having a lot of Democratic unity in fighting for some of the priorities that the president cares about has allowed us to make some progress," he said in hopes that the Congressional override will not pass. (end) ak.gb