“We have a system in this country for identifying, isolating and even punishing countries that support terrorism,” Earnest said at the daily White House briefing. “That’s more effective than a patchwork system of legal decisions that could cloud the clarity that is needed to forcefully respond to state sponsored terrorism.”
Because the current session of Congress is nearing an end, the president has the option of using what is known as a “pocket veto.” If Congress adjourns, a bill dies because legislators have no opportunity to pass it with the usual two-thirds majority needed to enact laws without the president’s signature.
Members of Congress, most of whom are up for re-election in November, were reluctant to oppose the bill due to widespread anger in the United States over Saudi participation in the September 11, 2001 attacks.
Although 15 of the 19 hijackers were Saudi citizens, and some were aided by a low-level Saudi diplomat, there has been no credible evidence of government involvement.
