The White House confirmed Tuesday that President Obama plans to veto newly passed legislation allowing the families of 9/11 victims to sue the government of Saudi Arabia – laying the groundwork for a showdown with Congress.
(FOX)- The bipartisan bill gained final approval Friday in the House. The White House now has the legislation, and spokesman Eric Schultz said aboard Air Force One that Obama intends to veto.
He said the legislation is contrary to how the U.S. has conducted business on the international stage for decades.
The administration for months has argued the legislation could harm the country’s relationship with Saudi Arabia — and cautioned that if the door is opened for U.S. citizens to take the Saudis to court, then a foreign country could in turn sue the United States.
But the legislation has widespread support in Congress, and Republican lawmakers ripped Obama for his continued opposition on Tuesday.
Rep. Louis Gohmert, R-Texas, said the threatened veto shows where the president’s “loyalties” lie.
Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, said he hopes Obama rethinks the veto threat.
A presidential veto could set up a vote to override in the run-up to the presidential election. Votes from two-thirds of the members in the House and Senate would be needed to override.