The U.
S. Senate has approved a bill that could allow 9/11 victims or their families to sue the government of Saudi Arabia.
The bill rewrites federal law to allow U.
S. citizens to sue foreign governments for their role in terrorism attacks on U.
S. soil.
New York Senator Charles Schumer says the bill will benefit families deal with their loss.“Their mission is not only to bring justice for themselves," Schumer says, "but to send a loud message to foreign governments: If you benefit create terrorism on American soil, and you’re going to be brought to justice.”The Saudi government denies any role in 9/11. They've threatened to sell $750 billion in U.
S. investments in response.
White House officials say the bill could open Americans abroad — where the rule of law might be more flexible than the U.
S.— to legal risks.
The bill must still pass the House. A White House spokesman says a veto is likely.
Schumer thinks the Senate could override a veto.
Source: wnyc.org