President Obama Will Likely Veto 9/11 Lawsuit Bill

President Obama is expected to veto a bill that would allow the families of 9/11 victims to sue Saudi Arabia, White House press secretary Josh Earnest told reporters Monday.

Obama, Earnest said, believes the bill could have unintended consequences, such as allowing other nations to sue the United States.

The bill passed unanimously in the House on Friday and passed unanimously in the Senate in May. Saudi Arabia, a close U.S. ally in the Middle East, has voiced strong opposition to the bill. Fifteen of the 19 hijackers from 9/11 were Saudi nationals.

"It's not hard to imagine other countries using this law as an excuse to haul U.S. diplomats, U.S. service members or even U.S. companies into courts all around the world," Earnest said Monday.

"The president feels quite strongly about this," Earnest continued. "I do anticipate the president will veto the legislation when it is presented to him."

The bill would waive sovereign immunity for cases dealing with terrorist attacks on U.S. soil.

"This is a great day for America," Republican Rep. Peter King of New York said on the House floor before the vote Friday. "This is essential that justice be done," King added. "It is essential that 9/11 families have the right to bring action in American courts."

Obama was expected to meet with Congressional leaders, including House Speaker Paul Ryan and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, on Monday afternoon to discuss the bill.

Republican Sen. John Cornyn of Texas, who introduced the bill, had called on Obama to sign the bill after it passed in the House.

"Today’s vote sends an unmistakable message that…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. "It’s time to make this bill a reality, and I hope the President will sign it into law."

Image via White House, Flickr