Lawmakers vow to override Obama’s veto of Sept. 11 bill

In this photo taken Sept. 22, 2016, President Barack Obama speaks in the East Room of the White House in Washington. President Barack Obama has vetoed a bill that would have allowed the families of 9/11 victims to sue the government of Saudi Arabia. The move sets Obama up for a possible first veto override by Congress. Both chambers passed the bill by voice vote. The House sent Obama the bill just before the 15th anniversary of the attacks that killed nearly 3,000 people in New York, Washington and Pennsylvania on Sept. 11, 2001. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster, File)

By Associated Press September 24, 2016 1 min read

WASHINGTON (AP) – Lawmakers are vowing to decisively override President Barack Obama’s veto of a bill to allow families of Sept. 11 victims to sue the government of Saudi Arabia.

Obama rejected the bill Friday. He says the legislation could leave American troops and diplomats vulnerable to lawsuits in foreign courts from people seeking redress for actions taken by armed groups that are backed or trained by the United States.

The bill’s proponents are disputing those concerns. They say the measure is narrowly tailored and applies only to acts of terrorism occurring on U.S. soil.

The Republican sponsor of the bill, Sen. John Cornyn of Texas, is criticizing Obama for failing to listen to the families of the victims. Cornyn says he looks forward to the opportunity for Congress to override the veto.