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Saudis turn to US states in bid to repeal 9/11 bill

Riyadh’s latest lobbying push aims to enroll state governors.
Protesters and family members of 9/11 victims protest in front of the White House regarding President Barack Obama's threatened veto of the Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act (JASTA) in Washington, U.S., September 20, 2016.   REUTERS/Gary Cameron - RTSOMWN

Saudi Arabia is turning to officials of US states in a last-ditch attempt to prevent the families of victims of the 9/11 terrorist attacks from being able to sue the kingdom in court.

The Saudi Embassy hired Washington-based Flywheel Government Solutions last week to build support among governors and other elected state officials for repealing the Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act (JASTA) bill. The firm is one of nine new lobby shops the Saudis have signed up after it became clear in late September that Congress would override President Barack Obama’s veto of the bill.

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