On Wednesday, Congress overrode a veto by President Obama on a bill to allow the families of Sept. 11 victims to sue Saudi Arabia for the kingdom’s alleged backing of the attackers.
According to The Washington Post, “The bill would allow courts to waive claims to foreign sovereign immunity in situations involving acts of terrorism on U.S. soil.” It would amend a 1976 law providing countries immunity from U.S. lawsuits.
Obama argued that the bill “could be devastating to the Department of Defense and its service members.” He said that “there is no doubt that the consequences could be equally significant for our foreign affairs and intelligence communities.”
The Senate passed the bill 97-1 and the House voted 348-77, the first time Congress has rejected a veto by Obama.
Do you think 9/11 victims’ families should be able to sue Saudi Arabia? Vote in our poll.