Confirmed: Obama to Veto 9/11 Bill, Will Likely Face First Veto Override

Cortney O'Brien | September 12, 2016 3:15 PM

White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest confirmed rumors that President Obama would veto the newly passed bill that lets the families of the September 11 victims to sue Saudi Arabia.

“That is still the plan, the president does plan to veto this legislation,” press secretary Josh Earnest told reporters. “I do anticipate the president will veto the legislation when it is presented to him, it hasn’t been presented to him yet.”

The Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act passed on a bipartisan basis in both the Senate and the House, yet the White House argues the legislation could cause unnecessary tension between the U.S. and Saudi Arabia, as well as welcome retaliation from other nations. However, considering the bill has the support of both Republicans and Democrats, for the first time in Obama's presidency, he may face a veto override.

This past weekend marked the 15th anniversary of the September 11 attacks. Several of the victims' families traveled to Capitol Hill to urge lawmakers to take action on the common sense bill.