Gaetz says legislation holds Saudi Arabia ‘accountable’ for 2019 Pensacola terrorist attack

PENSACOLA, Fla. – Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., announced the reintroduction of the “Saudi Arabia December 6, 2019, Anti-Terror and Accountability Act” nearly four years after the attack.

The legislation outlines new military policies that the United States would abide by when interacting with the Saudi government. It would also pull $1 billion in funding for Ukraine in order to support victims of the attack.

“Four years ago today, our community was rocked when a Saudi student opened fire on Naval Air Station Pensacola,” Gaetz said in a press release.

“Since then, it became evident that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United States were insufficient in vetting foreign students – allowing those with radicalized views access to our military bases,” he added.

“My legislation holds Saudi Arabia accountable and puts an end to the exchange programs with them. More importantly, the bill will help give justice and financial help to the survivors and grieving families of the terror attack victims,” he finished.

The bill would halt any military officer-exchange programs with Saudi Arabia, prohibit the export of any weapons and munitions to the country and end support to any Saudi-led coalitions currently in proxy wars.

Additionally, the legislation would specifically redirect the $1 billion in former Ukraine funding into the Justice for United States Victims of State-Sponsored Terrorism Fund. The financial resources would then be distributed to the family members and wounded victims.

The FBI said a member of the Royal Saudi Air Force studying at the military base committed the attack.

The press release explained how the terrorist, Mohammed Alshamrani, killed three sailors and injured eight more on the Naval base after receiving “Pentagon-sponsored” training and access in the military zone.

The bill also called out concerns with the Saudi government’s screening process and ability to control their citizens and prevent radicalized Islamic extremists from participating in terrorist attacks around the world.

The legislation was originally introduced in 2022, but did not make it out of its committee assignments.