Obama vetoes 9/11 bill

[Bacon King]

Senate voting to override now!

[Bacon King]

There's such a strange dynamic going on here. It seems like opposition to this bill is unanimous: Obama, the CIA, the New York Times, a bunch of former US national security experts, the Kuwaiti government, and many others have all put out statements in opposition to JASTA. Yet in spite of this wall of opposition, the entire Senate remains completely united in passing it. What's going on here?


Also here is Cornyn's argument for passing JASTA and it's pretty convincing.

[Bacon King]

I feel like there's more than meets the eye here. In this polarized era, every Member of Congress voting together, even though the media, the CIA, former Attorneys General, foreign governments, and so many others. Basically everyone outside of Congress thinks it's a terrible thing. Members like Senator Corker explain all the reservations they have about the bill, but then they go and vote for it anyway!

If I had to guess I think this is intentionally a complete break of the USA with the Saudi government. Obama and the CIA and etc are giving the appearances of opposing it so afterwards Obama can still negotiate with Saudi Arabia if necessary, rather than the US face an immediate removal of diplomatic ties.

[Bacon King]

some opposition in the House - 48 aye, 12 no, 1 present

edit: aaand now it's passed! Final vote was 348 aye, 77 nay, 1 present


RIP our relationship with Saudi Arabia

[Bacon King]

Interesting coalition of nay votes in the House... including people like Raul Grijalva, Jim Clyburn, and Maxine Waters from the Dems and Jason Chaffetz, Don Young, and Steve King from the Republicans.

Where can I find the roll call of the vote? My google fu is failing to find it

[Bacon King]

interesting observation: a majority of the House Intelligence Committee voted no

[Bacon King]

okay, as far as i can tell this covers virtually every Congressman who voted to sustain the veto:

- is a public member of the House Freedom Caucus
- is a member of the Congressional Black Caucus
- is a member of the Congressional Progressive Caucus
- is a member of the House Intelligence Committee