The Times noted that a primary concern of the White House is that the bill could ultimately run the risk of increasing the odds that US officials, military personal, and even business leaders could face legal action overseas.
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Members are wary of voting against the wishes of 9/11 victims’ families, who insist that the legislation is necessary for them to stand a chance of suing Saudi Arabia over the alleged material support members of the Saudi government provided the attackers.
According to CNN, Obama added that the bill “threatens to limit their [allied nations] cooperation on key national security issues, including counterterrorism initiatives, at a crucial time when we are trying to build coalitions, not create divisions”. But the Obama administration has lobbied vigorously against the bill – infuriating some lawmakers and victims’ families – because of concerns about threats of economic retaliation from Saudi Arabia, and that other countries could change their own immunity laws to the detriment of American interests.
Obama listed three reasons behind his decision to veto the bill that was passed by both chambers of U.S. Congress. The override would mark a first during Obama’s two-term presidency.
In a break with her former boss, Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton said that, were she president, she would support the legislation.
“Clinton continues to support the efforts by Sen”.
But the showdown has also put the Obama administration at odds politically with the wishes of countless 9/11 families who argue they haven’t had their day in court against all parties responsible for the terror attacks.
The Republican leaders of the Senate and House have both said in recent says that an override is expected to go through, despite new qualms about the bill. Previous attempts to overturn Mr Obama’s vetoes have been unsuccessful.
Fifteen of the 19 terrorists were Saudi and that nation’s leaders have previously opposed the legislation and denied involvement.
Some Congressmen hinted that they would hold an extraordinary session ahead of the recess. But prolonged negotiations over a government funding bill and a package to combat Zika virus have delayed the recess, meaning lawmakers are still likely to be in Washington next week to cast an override vote.
Obama has served the longest period without a veto override of any president in more than a century.
Clinton’s campaign on Friday repeated previous statements that she would sign the bill if she were president.
“I recognize that there is nothing that could ever erase the grief the 9/11 families have endured”.
The White House tried and failed to have the legislation – which was unanimously backed in Congress – from being substantially revised.
The Obama administration has argued to Congress that the legislation would set an worldwide precedent that risks exposing the USA government and American soldiers to lawsuits or other legal action by foreign governments. He said Obama’s veto would come before the midnight deadline.
“I think there’s a gut instinct that state sponsors of terrorism should have to pay, but proving state sponsorship is often hard”, he said to the Post. “And I do worry about the precedent”, he told reporters. “They deserve their day in court”.
For weeks the Obama administration has underscored the danger of creating an exception in global law that could backfire against the United States, while downplaying the argument that he is concerned about tarnishing the US’s relationship with Saudi Arabia. Chuck Schumer (D – NY) expressed confidence that the votes were there to keep the bill from being killed by the president.
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That technical legal argument will struggle to be heard over emotive accusations that Mr Obama is putting relations with Saudi Arabia before 9/11 victims.
