Legislator Matt Gaetz presented the “Saudi Arabia December 6, 2019, Anti-Terror and Accountability Act. “If the bill is passed, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia would be held responsible for encouraging and abetting the terrorist attack at Naval Air Station (NAS).
After four years since the deadly terror attack at NAS Pensacola, Congressman Matt Gaetz introduced the “Saudi Arabia December 6, 2019, Anti-Terror and Accountability Act” on Wednesday.
According to Gaetz’s office, if the bill is passed, it would make the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia liable for encouraging the terrorist attack and give the victims financial support.
Mohammed Alshamrani, a Saudi national, opened fire at NAS Pensacola four years ago, wounding eight people in addition to killing three U.S. Navy sailors: Ensign Kaleb Watson, Airman Mohammed Haitham, and Airman Apprentice Cameron Walters. Alshamrani had access to the base because he was taking part in a training program funded by the Pentagon.
NAS Pensacola terrorist attack
“Prior to his enrollment in the program, the Saudi government was negligent in properly screening Alshamrani and derelict in monitoring and reporting his radicalization,” according to a release from Gaetz’s office. “”The Saudi government also failed on its promise to compensate the victims of Alshamrani’s attack.”
The following clauses are included in Rep. Gaetz’s legislation:
- terminates all military officer exchange initiatives with Saudi Arabia
- terminates all military exchange programs with Saudi Arabia
- authorizes the victims of the terrorist attack on NAS Pensacola to sue the Saudi Arabian government for damages through the Justice for United States Victims of State-Sponsored Terrorism Fund, 34 USC 20144.
- removes $1 billion in military aid from US assistance to Ukraine and deposits it in the Justice for US Victims of State-Sponsored Terrorism Fund to compensate NAS Pensacola attack victims.
- Makes available any unused funds to all victims of state-sponsored terror to include September 11th victims
“Today, four years ago, a Saudi student opened fire on Naval Air Station Pensacola, rocking our community,” Gaetz remarked. Since then, it has become evident that the US and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia both neglected to properly vet international students, letting individuals who adhere to radical ideologies into US military facilities.
My bill ends the exchange programs with Saudi Arabia and holds them responsible. More significantly, the bill will assist in providing the victims of terror attacks with financial support as well as justice.”
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