In a bipartisan vote Thursday, the Senate passed the Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act, which allows families of 9/11 victims to sue the government of Saudi Arabia. The bill is now headed to the House, where it will likely pass. President Obama is vowing to veto the legislation should it reach his desk.
Democrats, including former Majority Leader Harry Reid, and Republicans voted in favor of the bill, which was co-sponsored by Democrat Chuck Schumer and Republican John Cornyn.
The vote comes after weeks of warnings from the White House and the Saudi government against the legislation, with the Royal family threatening to pull billions of dollars in aid from the U.S.The White House maintains the legislation puts sovereignty for every country at risk.