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Obama said to veto anti Saudi bill

September 23, 2016 at 11:36 am

US President Barack Obama will reject the Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act by a veto deadline set for today, AFP reported officials from the Obama administration saying yesterday.

The legislation unanimously passed on 9 September by both houses of Congress and the Senate would mean families who have been affected by September 11 would be able to sue the Saudi Arabian government in a US Federal Court.

Obama has come under pressure from Democratic lawmakers and September 11 victims’ families who support the legislation.

Lawmakers have also been pressuring the president to withhold his power to veto. Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro and Senator Richard Blumenthal have called on Obama to sign the bill. Congressional insiders claim they have the votes needed to override the presidential veto.

The Obama administration fears that if the bill is signed, it could be a model for other countries that wish to sue Saudi Arabia.