EU lawmakers warn Congress against Saudi terrorism bill

European lawmakers are putting Congress on notice that a bill to allow 9/11 victims to sue Saudi Arabia could inadvertently harm relations with some of America’s closest allies across the Atlantic.

The Dutch parliament wrote to House lawmakers ahead of a July 14 hearing to warn them that the Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act (JASTA) would represent a “gross and unwarranted breach of Dutch sovereignty” that could result in “astronomical damages.” The July 12 letter obtained by Al-Monitor endorses the Obama administration’s opposition to the bill, and asks that Congress take into account a July 6 motion from the Dutch House of Representatives calling the bill “unacceptable.”