Bill allowing 9/11 victims to sue Saudi Arabia heads to Obama's desk
By REBECCA SHABAD CBS NEWS September 9, 2016, 12:23 PM
Newly elected Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives Paul Ryan (R-WI) (C) speaks to the assembled House after being elected as the new Speaker in Washington October 29, 2015.
REUTERS/GARY CAMERON
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The House approved legislation Friday by voice vote that would allow families of 9/11 victims to sue the government of Saudi Arabia, CBS News has confirmed.
In May, the Senate passed the measure, which was sponsored by Sens. John Cornyn, R-Texas, and Chuck Schumer, D-New York.
The White House has expressed opposition to the bill. Speaking to CBS News’ Charlie Rose in April, President Obama warned that the bill could have consequences that would, for example, allow people in other countries to sue the U.S.
“This is a matter of how generally the United States approaches our interactions with other countries. If we open up the possibility that individuals and the United States can routinely start suing other governments, then we are also opening up the United States to being continually sued by individuals in other countries,” Mr. Obama said at the time.
The bill’s passage comes before the 15th anniversary Sunday of the 2001 attacks that killed thousands in New York, Washington, D.C. and Pennsylvania.
Even if Mr. Obama vetoes the bill, it’s possible Congress might have the votes to override his veto. |
