Senate Votes To Override Obama's Veto Of Bill Allowing 9/11 Victims To Sue Saudi Arabia

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The Senate voted 97-1 Wednesday to successfully override President Obama's veto of legislation allowing families of victims of the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks to sue Saudi Arabia.

The bill called Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act is expected to easily clinch the two-thirds support it needs from Congress to override Obama's veto — a first for the administration. The House will vote to override the veto later Wednesday.

But several lawmakers are already working on modifications to the bill that they hope to move forward in the lame duck session.

The changes would address issues the White House and Department of Defense have raised about the broad language used in the bill, which isn't 9/11 specific. It would authorize U.S. courts to hear cases against foreign states for injuries or death resulting from an act of international terrorism.

"Now that JASTA will be overriden, it is incumbent upon all of us...to deal with concerns that many of us have about how this could play out against our own people." said South Carolina GOP Sen. Lindsey Graham, who said he has the support of about 20 senators to make changes to to the measure. What can we do to preserve our relationship with Saudi Arabia?"

Asked about accusations from some Republicans that any changes would be seen as carrying water for Saudi Arabia, Graham joked: "Well, there's not a whole lot of water in Saudi Arabia to carry."

"Bottom line is here's what I think: If you don't value the relationship, then you're making a mistake...If you want to go forward in the Mid-East without Saudi Arabia as an ally, then be careful what you wish for."

Obama expressed his own concerns in his veto message.

"I have deep sympathy for the families of the victims of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001 (9/11), who have suffered grievously," he said. "I also have a deep appreciation of these families' desire to pursue justice and am strongly committed to assisting them in their efforts."

"This legislation would permit litigation against countries that have neither been designated by the executive branch as state sponsors of terrorism nor taken direct actions in the United States to carry out an attack here. The JASTA would be detrimental to U.S. national interests more broadly, which is why I am returning it without my approval."

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