The Salem News: Moulton Takes a Difficult Vote

October 7, 2016

By: NULL

By: Nelson Benton

North Shore Congressman Seth Moulton was one of only two Bay State House members to vote against overriding President Barack Obama’s veto of a bill allowing the families of 9/11 victims to sue Saudi Arabia for damages suffered in the terrorist attack. (Jim McGovern, D-Worcester, was the other.)

Moulton acknowledges it was a politically difficult vote, but noted that many of those who supported the override — the first time that’s happened to Obama — are now having second thoughts.

Appearing recently on Boston Public Radio, Moulton said he called a Salem constituent who lost a loved one on 9/11 to explain his vote. She didn’t agree with him, he said, but appreciated his making the call.

Like Obama, Moulton believes the legislation poses a risk to U.S. soldiers and diplomats overseas who may no longer be protected under the long-established principle of sovereign immunity. He’s hoping the law will be amended in the future, perhaps after November’s election.

And he says he is fully prepared to defend his vote if it becomes a campaign issue in the future. (He’s running unopposed this year.)

“I’m not in Washington to do what’s easy,” Moulton told the radio interviewer. “I’m there to do what’s right.”

Article here.