The Impact of JASTA
Faculty Sponsor
Julia Stronks jstronks@whitworth.edu
Session Type
Traditional Paper Presentation
Research Project Abstract
Following the terrorist attacks of September 11th, United States citizens attempted to bring lawsuits against Saudi Arabia for providing material support and resources to the al Qaeda terrorist organization which claimed responsibility for the event. These cases were universally thrown out of courts because of the long standing legal practice codified in federal law by which sovereign immunity is extended to foreign states in US courts. In 2016, the Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act (JASTA) became law after President Obama’s veto was overridden by the House of Representatives. JASTA limits foreign sovereign immunity by extending US Federal courts’ personal jurisdiction to foreign state’s which support international terrorism. This research paper examines the effects that JASTA legislation will have upon the judicial and executive branches of the United States. Finally, it predicts outcomes if such cases are allowed to proceed and identifies suggestions for the current administration.
Session Number
RS4
Location
Weyerhaeuser 303
Abstract Number
RS4-c
The Impact of JASTA
Weyerhaeuser 303
Following the terrorist attacks of September 11th, United States citizens attempted to bring lawsuits against Saudi Arabia for providing material support and resources to the al Qaeda terrorist organization which claimed responsibility for the event. These cases were universally thrown out of courts because of the long standing legal practice codified in federal law by which sovereign immunity is extended to foreign states in US courts. In 2016, the Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act (JASTA) became law after President Obama’s veto was overridden by the House of Representatives. JASTA limits foreign sovereign immunity by extending US Federal courts’ personal jurisdiction to foreign state’s which support international terrorism. This research paper examines the effects that JASTA legislation will have upon the judicial and executive branches of the United States. Finally, it predicts outcomes if such cases are allowed to proceed and identifies suggestions for the current administration.
