Obama’s veto of 9/11 bill rejected

Washington : Barack Obama suffered a unique political blow yesterday, when the US Senate overturned his veto of a bill that would allow families of the victims of the September 11 terrorist attacks to sue Saudi Arabia.

If, as seems certain, the House follows suit later in the day, Obama will endure the first override of his presidency less than four months before leaving office. No Democrats came to the Senate floor to defend his position before the overwhelming bipartisan 97-1 vote. Democratic minority leader Harry Reid cast the sole vote against override, which has put Congress at odds with the White House and national security establishment.

The legislation would permit courts to waive a claim of foreign sovereign immunity when an act of terrorism occurs inside US borders, according to the terms of the bill. Saudi Arabia has objected strongly to the legislation and has categorically denied any role in the 9/11 attacks. Fifteen of the 19 plane hijackers were Saudi nationals.

The measure passed the Senate and House unanimously in May and September, but Obama vetoed it last Friday, claiming that it would make the US vulnerable to retaliatory litigation in foreign courts that could put American troops in legal jeopardy. 

Many senators and representatives are also reluctant to oppose a popular measure and be seen as soft on terrorism with elections just weeks away.

Chuck Grassley, chairman of the Senate judiciary committee, said the families of 9/11 victims favoured the measure and accused Obama of bowing to Saudi pressure. “All they want is the opportunity to present their case in a court of law,” he said on the Senate floor. 

John Brennan, the director of the CIA, warned that the legislation would have “grave implications” for US national security. He said: “The most damaging consequence would be for those US government officials who dutifully work overseas on behalf of our country. The principle of sovereign immunity protects US officials every day, and is rooted in reciprocity. If we fail to uphold this standard for other countries, we place our own nation’s officials in danger.”

The vote deals a late blow to Obama on an issue he feels keenly about at a time when his personal popularity is riding high. Josh Earnest, the White House press secretary, told reporters: 

“The president has strong views about this legislation and the impact that it would have not just on the US relationship with Saudi Arabia, but with countries around the world. It would increase the risk that is facing our service members and our diplomats and our intelligence professionals. And that is a view that president has stated on a number of occasions.