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Congress made ‘mistake’ by overriding 9/11 bill veto – Obama
The US Congress has overridden President Barack Obama's veto of a controversial Bill which allows families of 9/11 victims to take legal action against Saudi Arabia
The Bill would set a dangerous precedent that could put US troops and interests at risk - Obama
US President Barack Obama has said Congress made a "mistake" by overriding his veto and pushing through a Bill that allows legal action against Saudi Arabia over the 9/11 attacks.
Calling it a "political vote", Obama said on Wednesday the Bill would set "a dangerous precedent" that could put US troops and interests at risk.
"If we eliminate this notion of sovereign immunity, then our men and women in uniform around the world could potentially start seeing ourselves subject to reciprocal loss," Obama said during a town hall meeting-style interview on CNN, referring to potential lawsuits.
Earlier on Wednesday, the US Congress had passed into law a controversial bill that allows family members of 9/11 victims to sue Saudi Arabia for its alleged backing of the attackers.
Both the Senate and House voted overwhelmingly on Wednesday in favour of the Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act. The vote was the first time Obama's veto power was overruled.
CIA Director John Brennan agreed that the Bill carried "grave implications" for national security.
15 of the 19 hijackers in the 9/11 attacks were Saudi nationals, but the oil-rich kingdom - a key US ally - has denied any role in the attacks, which left nearly 3,000 people dead.
