Senate Overrides Obama’s Veto Of 9/11 Bill

Seven years and 8 months into his presidency, Barack Obama has been dealt his first veto override.

Congress overwhelmingly rejected Obama’s veto of the bill, which will allowed the families of 9/11 victims to sue Saudi Arabia, on Sept. 28.

Ninety-seven senators voted in favor of the override, with Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid, a Democrat from Nevada, casting the only opposing vote, according to NPR. Sen. Tim Kaine, a Democrat from Virginia and Hillary Clinton’s running mate, joined Sen. Bernie Sanders, an Independent from Vermont, in abstaining from a vote.

“The president understands the passion that’s on both sides of this issue,” Josh Earnest, The White House press secretary, said on Sept. 27. “It’s the president’s responsibility to consider the broader impact that this bill, as it’s currently written, would have on our national security, and our standing around the world, and on our diplomats and our service members who represent the United States around the world.”

“The principle of sovereign immunity protects U.S. officials every day, and is rooted in reciprocity,” John Brennan, director of the CIA, said in a statement. “If we fail to uphold this standard for other countries, we place our own nation’s officials in danger. No country has more to lose from undermining that principle than the United States — and few institutions would be at greater risk than CIA.”

“This bill is about respecting the voices and rights of American victims,” Republican Sen. John Cornyn of Texas said, Fox News notes.

“It’s very simple,” Sen. Chuck Schumer, a Democrat from New York, added. “If the Saudis were culpable, they should be held accountable. If they had nothing to do with 9/11, they have nothing to fear.”

“The issue is fundamentally about, is whether someone would have the opportunity to raise their concerns in the judicial system,” Sen. Ron Wyden, a Democrat from Oregon and senior member of the Senate Intelligence Committee, said, reports NPR. “It’s not a judgment about how a case would come out. It seems to me that it is appropriate — particularly in light of the families — that they should have a chance to raise their concerns in court.”

Sources: Fox News, NPR / Photo Credit: The White House/Instagram