But the kingdom has strongly objected to the proposed legislation allowing 9/11 lawsuits, which would give victims’ families the right to sue Saudi Arabia in USA courts over any role that the Saudi government may have played in the 2001 attacks. The bill passed the Senate unanimously in May and sailed through the House on a voice vote Friday, indicating a level of support that congressional aides say should secure the two-thirds majorities in both houses needed for a veto.
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Earnest said Monday that the White House has had “significant” concerns with the bill because it could open up the U.S.to being continually sued by people in other countries. The White House has signaled President Barack Obama would veto the proposed law over concerns that it could open the United States up to similar lawsuits from other countries. The Senate sent the bill to Obama on Monday night, giving him a 10-day window to veto the measure that would end on September 23.
Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, said he hopes Obama rethinks the veto threat.
Steve Vladeck and I disagreed about the virtues and vices of the original JASTA bill.
Earnest said now, there is a process inside the executive branch of the USA government for designating certain countries as state sponsors of terrorism. The Constitution also allows a “pocket veto”. The bill was written in response to an investigation into a missing portion of 9/11 files that revealed a cover-up of possible Saudia Arabian involvement in the attacks.
The Senate passed the measure in May.
Prior to the House vote, Speaker Paul D. Ryan told reporters Thursday that members had weighed concerns about the bill but that most seemed to believe the arguments for the legislation were more compelling. He added that the bill has yet to be presented to Obama, CNN reported.
Still, many members of Congress expressed continued support this week for the bill.
The White House then signaled that Obama would veto the legislation.
It would narrow the the definition of sovereign immunity in federal law, authorizing courts to hear lawsuits against foreign countries for for injuries, death, or damages from acts of terrorism by officials of that country.
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Conservative opposition to the emerging budget deal remains, but negotiators worked through the weekend on the details. Those provisions would have restricted any of the money from going to affiliates of Planned Parenthood in Puerto Rico.
