Airman Mohammed Haitham, Ensign Joshua Kaleb Watson, and Airman Apprentice Cameron Walters/U.S. Navy
Congressman Matt Gaetz introduced the "Saudi Arabia December 6, 2019, Anti-Terror and Accountability Act" in Pensacola, marking four years since the NAS Pensacola terror attack.
Gaetz's office proposes legislation that would hold Saudi Arabia accountable for aiding and abetting the terrorist attack and provide financial support to the victims.
Four years ago, Saudi national Mohammed Alshamrani killed three U.S. Navy sailors and wounded eight others at NAS Pensacola, participating in a Pentagon-sponsored training program, while also causing injuries.
The Saudi government's office claims that they were negligent in screening and monitoring Alshamrani before enrolling him in a program, and failed to compensate the victims of his radicalization.
Rep. Gaetz's legislation consists of several provisions.
- Ends support to the Saudi-led coalition in Yemen.
- Halts any military officer-exchange programs with Saudi Arabia.
- Prohibits the export of weapons and munitions to Saudi Arabia.
- Authorizes that the victims of the NAS Pensacola terrorist attack may seek damages from the Saudi Arabian government through 34 USC 20144: Justice for United States Victims of State-Sponsored Terrorism Fund.
- Withdraws $1 billion from U.S. military aid to Ukraine and deposits the same amount to the Justice for United States Victims of State-Sponsored Terrorism Fund to provide compensatory damages to the victims of the NAS Pensacola attack.
- Makes available any unused funds to all victims of state-sponsored terror to include September 11th victims.
Four years ago, a Saudi student attacked Naval Air Station Pensacola, revealing insufficient vetting of foreign students by the US and Saudi Arabia. Gaetz's legislation will hold Saudi Arabia accountable, end exchange programs with them, and provide justice and financial assistance to survivors and families of terror attack victims. The bill aims to hold Saudi Arabia accountable and address the issue of radicalized views.