Bill allowing families of 9/11 victims to sue Saudi Arabia approved by US Congress
The White House has indicated that President Barack Obama will veto the legislation over concerns that it will make Americans abroad vulnerable to legal action.
The United States Congress on Friday approved a Bill that will allow families of the victims of the September 11 terror attacks in the country to sue the Saudi Arabia government for damages. The bipartisan legislation was approved by a voice vote days before the 15th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks. Of the 19 hijackers who had carried out the strikes, 15 were Saudi nationals.
The White House, however, has indicated that President Barack Obama will veto the proposed law, citing concerns that the move will make American citizens abroad vulnerable to legal action, The Guardian reported. Saudi Arabia is a key ally of USA in West Asia.
The US Senate had passed the Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act in May, which states that people affected by the attacks in 2001 can take legal action. The Saudi government, however, had warned against the Bill, saying they had nothing to do with the terror strikes on the World Trade Centre and Pentagon. They had also threatened to liquidate $750 billion in US securities and assets if the American government went ahead with the law.