Senate Unanimously Extends Iran Sanctions Act Another 10 Years

The law, first passed by Congress in 1996 and renewed several times since then, allows the U.S. to slap companies with economic sanctions for doing business with Iran.

Jason Ditz
بواسطة Jason Ditz
In this Tuesday, Dec. 11, 2012 photo, an Iranian pharmacist arranges medicine on shelves at a pharmacy in central Tehran, Iran. While medicine and humanitarian supplies are not blocked by the economic embargoes on Iran over its nuclear program, the pressures are clearly evident in nearly every level of Iranian health care. It’s a sign of the domino effect of sanctions on everyday life. (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi)

While there was a lot of talk of President Obama vetoing the extension of the Iran Sanctions Act on the grounds that it is no longer necessary, today’s Senate vote appears to have ended that possibility, with a 99-0 vote following the overwhelming support for the House version last month, with Rep. Thomas Massie (R – KY) the lone no vote. The

اقرأ المقال كاملا

White House: Veto Override ‘The Single Most Embarrassing Thing’ Senate Has Done

White House spokesman Josh Earnest terming the override “an abdication” of the Senate’s basic responsibilities to represent the people, and “the single most embarrassing thing that the United States Senate has done.”

Jason Ditz
بواسطة Jason Ditz
Barack Obama pauses as he speaks during a news conference at the G-7 summit

After weeks of heavily lobbying the Senate to kill the Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act (JASTA), there was no consoling the White House for a decisive loss today. The Senate voted 97-1 to override President Obama’s veto of JASTA, and the House quickly followed suit, albeit in a slightly closer vote. JASTA would allow 9/11 victims’

اقرأ المقال كاملا

Obama Vetoes 9/11 Victims Bill, Congressional Override Looms

JASTA would be a special case abrogation of sovereign immunity, a legal premise that allows governments to do whatever they want without fear of legal repercussions from individuals.

Jason Ditz
بواسطة Jason Ditz
President Barack Obama and Saudi Arabia's King Salman walk together to a meeting at Erga Palace in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Wednesday, April 20, 2016. The President begins a six day trip to strategize with his counterparts in Saudi Arabia, England and Germany on a broad range of issues with efforts to rein in the Islamic State group being the common denominator in all three stops. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

As promised, President Obama vetoed the Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act (JASTA) today, setting up what could be the first Congressional override of his entire presidency. JASTA would allow families of 9/11 victims to sue Saudi Arabia for that nation’s involvement in supporting the attackers. Obama has initially been keen to hold off on

اقرأ المقال كاملا

Military Brass Argues 9/11 Bill Would Strip US Troops Of Sovereign Immunity

Defense Secretary Ash Carter insists he is worried about the risk the bill poses to US troops, a sentiment echoed by Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Gen. Joe Dunford.

Jason Ditz
بواسطة Jason Ditz
In this June 30, 2016 file photo, Defense Secretary Ash Carter speaks during a news conference at the Pentagon.

The Obama Administration is in full press mode attacking the Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act (JASTA) ahead of an expected veto. The bill would allow families of 9/11 victims to sue Saudi Arabia for its involve in the attack, and was unanimously passed in both the House and Senate. It enjoys considerable public support. Administration

اقرأ المقال كاملا

AIPAC Demands Obama Veto “One-Sided” UN Resolutions On Peace Process

Israel has long relied on US vetoes to avoid criticism at the Security Council for crimes commited in the occupied territories.

Jason Ditz
بواسطة Jason Ditz

A letter sponsored by Israel lobby group AIPAC, and signed by 88 US senators, is demanding that President Obama unconditionally veto any “one-sided” resolution on the Israeli peace process brought before the UN Security Council during the last four months of his term in office. The letter was penned by the lobby at the behest of Israeli Prime

اقرأ المقال كاملا

Undeterred By Veto Threat, Senate Passes 9/11-Saudi Bill

‘Look, if the Saudis did not participate in this terrorism, they have nothing to fear about going to court,’ said Sen. Chuck Schumer.

MintPress News Desk
بواسطة MintPress News Desk
Sept 11 Anniversary

Setting up a likely veto fight and opening a potential Pandora's Box, the U.S. Senate on Tuesday passed a bill that allows victims of 9/11 to sue Saudi Arabia for any role the government may have played in the attacks. The bipartisan Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act was approved by unanimous consent, despite protest from President

اقرأ المقال كاملا