President Obama is expected to veto legislation that Congress passed Friday allowing the families of September 11 victims to sue Saudi Arabia over its alleged links to terrorism as the 15th anniversary of the devastating attacks nears.
The House unanimously passed the bill Friday, with congressional leaders calling the vote a "moral imperative" to allow victims’ families to pursue justice.
President Obama has lobbied fiercely against the legislation, arguing it would set a dangerous precedent that endangers American officials abroad. Critics have also warned it would jeopardize U.S. relations with Saudi Arabia, a long-time American ally.
Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle along with a number of 9/11 families believe Saudi Arabia had a hand in the September 11 attacks given that 15 of the 19 terrorists who participated were Saudi.
Sen. Chuck Schumer (D., N.Y.), who co-sponsored the bill, said in May the Senate would have the number of votes required to override a presidential veto.
"I’m pleased the House has taken this huge step forward towards justice for the families of the victims of 9/11," Schumer said in a statement Friday. "There are always diplomatic considerations that get in the way of justice, but if a court proves the Saudis were complicit in 9/11, they should be held accountable."
Schumer urged the Obama administration to sign the legislation "for the sake of the families who have suffered such losses."
Sen. John Cornyn (R., Texas), another co-sponsor, said the bill’s passage two days before September 11 "sends an unmistakable message that we should combat terrorism with every tool we have."
"The families of those lost in attacks like that on September 11th should have every means at their disposal to seek justice," Cornyn said in a statement.
White House press secretary Josh Earnest said in May the administration "strongly" opposed the legislation after the Senate passed the bill.
Current U.S. law only allows victims to sue a country that is officially designated as a state sponsor of terrorism. The legislation would strike that prerequisite and allow citizens to pursue legal action against any nation suspected of terrorism.
Saudi officials have denied involvement in the 9/11 attacks and Riyadh has never been formally implicated.