The U.S. House of Representatives on Friday passed legislation allowing the families of 9/11 victims to sue Saudi Arabia in U.S. courts, despite the threat by the White House to veto the bill. The White House has expressed opposition to the measure.
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The White House’s opposition to the legislation stems from concern it could weaken US ties with Saudi Arabia, expose USA citizens overseas to legal risks and open the door to lawsuits against the US from foreign countries. The bill passed by unanimous voice vote, as it did in the Senate back in May.
The Senate had passed the same bill earlier this year – also unanimously – which puts President Barack Obama in a tough spot. The Obama administration cautions that if U.S. citizens can take the Saudis to court, then a foreign country could in turn sue the United States.
The concern is that the law could damage the U.S.’ relationship with Saudi Arabia and create a risky situation for American officials overseas. If he does, Congress would be in a position to override Obama’s veto for the first time in his presidency.
Votes from two-thirds of the members in the House and Senate would be needed to override a veto.
The bill itself is a bipartisan effort, spearheaded by Senators Chuck Schumer of NY, the number two ranking Democrat in the upper chamber, and John Cornyn of Texas, the third ranking Republican.
“I’m pleased the House has taken this huge step forward towards justice for the families of the victims of 9/11”, Schumer said in a statement Friday.
Texas Congressman Ted Poe said the bill provides recourse which families of those who perished on 9/11 otherwise would not have.
Families of the September 11 victims have used the courts to try to hold members of the Saudi royal family, Saudi banks and charities liable because of what the plaintiffs charged was Saudi financial support for terrorism.
It remains to be seen if the Saudi government follows through with threats to the US Treasury market.
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House Resolution 3815, also known as the “Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act” or JASTA, creates an exception to sovereign immunity created by a 1976 law, thus allowing United States citizens to sue foreign countries for terrorism that kills Americans on USA soil.
