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.
“The registrant will provide state-based government relations to engage and educate state officials on the federal JASTA legislation in order to create greater awareness of the legislation, impacts and potential consequences,” Flywheel’s lobbying registration states. “Communications may include the dissemination of written materials, articles, letters of relevance to the legislation’s impact.”
The unusually detailed filing spells out plans to warn state leaders about the potential costs in lost business if the legislation remains on the books. Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir likewise warned Congress in March that Riyadh would be forced to sell off $750 billion in US Treasury securities and other assets if the bill became law, to no avail.
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