US Senate to vote on override of Saudi 9/11 bill

The US Senate will vote on Wednesday to override President Barack Obama's veto of legislation that would allow the families of the victims of the September 11, 2001 attacks to sue the Saudi Arabian government of Saudi Arabia.

The revelation was made by Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell on Monday, Politico reported.

The Congress is expected to easily clinch the two-thirds support needed to override Obama's veto, which would be the first veto override of his presidency, according to officials.

The legislation, known formally as the Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act (JASTA), sailed through Congress with no recorded objections earlier this year.

 

But with a veto override apparently imminent, some lawmakers, particularly ones who specialise in national security policy, have become increasingly vocal about their concerns with the bill.

Both the chairman and the top Democrat on the House Armed Services Committee - Republican Mac Thornberry of Texas and Democrat Adam Smith of Washington - are circulating letters urging lawmakers to oppose JASTA, Politico noted.

They have warned that the legislation could open up US officials abroad to retaliation.