With 9/11 lawsuit bill, Congress hands Obama first veto override

Congress voted overwhelmingly today to override President Barack Obama’s veto of a bill allowing families of 9/11 victims to sue Saudi Arabia for backing some of the attackers. The vote was the first veto override of Obama’s presidency. The White House said the law threatens American interests in the Middle East at a time when the United States needs all the support it can get to combat terrorism. “It would be an absolute shame if this legislation, in any way, influenced the Saudi willingness to continue to be among our best counterterrorism partners,” CIA Director John Brennan said. Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., one of the bill’s sponsors, dismissed those concerns, saying, “We’re more interested in the families and in justice.”

The Associated Press contributed to this report.