President Barack Obama faces the first potential veto override of his presidency on a bill that would allow families of September 11 victims to sue Saudi Arabia. | Getty Obama faces first potential veto override of presidency The House unanimously passes a bill allowing 9/11 victims' families to sue Saudi Arabia, setting up a showdown with the White House.

The House unanimously passed a bill Friday allowing families of 9/11 victims to sue Saudi Arabia in U.S. courts. But President Barack Obama is almost certain to reject it, setting up the first potential veto override of his presidency.

Lawmakers’ significant show of support — the measure was approved by voice vote — came just days before the 15th anniversary of the terrorist attacks and hours after lawmakers gathered on the Capitol steps to remember victims.


“This is a great day for America,” said Rep. Peter King (R-N.Y.), speaking on the House floor before the voice vote, which was met with a round of applause from visitors sitting in the gallery.

“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.”

A presidential veto is almost guaranteed given the opposition to the measure from the Obama administration and defense hawks, who have argued it could open up the U.S. to retaliation from other countries that enact similar laws in the future.

“When you start eroding sovereign immunity, I think it puts our people at greater danger,” said House Armed Services Chairman Mac Thornberry (R-Texas), who opposed the measure but did not vote against it.

When the veto override vote would take place — if, in fact, it does — is still up in the air, though the likeliest scenario is that it would be after the election. Some Democrats are calling for Obama to cut a deal with Republicans on the legislation to avoid such a showdown.

Once Congress sends the bill to Obama, which expected to happen as soon as Saturday, the president has 10 days to veto the measure, not counting Sundays. On this measure, an Obama veto message would be first sent to the Senate, which will technically remain in session even if senators aren't in Washington in order to prevent the president from using a recess appointment to place Merrick Garland on the Supreme Court.

Since the Senate will be in session, leaders will have to set a date certain for a veto override once the chamber receives the presidential message. That date hasn't been decided yet, but any such vote is widely expected after Nov. 8.

Supporters of the bill, the "Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act," or JASTA, say the White House's claim that enactment of the legislation could expose the United States to retaliatory moves by foreign governments doesn’t hold water.

“I find this argument unpersuasive. The United States does not engage in international terrorist activity,” said Rep. Jerry Nadler (D-N.Y.).

“We need not fear retaliation from another country. This is not the 1790s, the United States is a major power and can hold our own.”

With the overwhelming support in the House and Senate, lawmakers have demonstrated they have support for a veto override, the first of Obama’s presidency, but that likely wouldn’t happen until the lame duck.

“I hope for the sake of the families who have suffered such losses and fought so hard, the administration will not veto this bill,” Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) said in a statement after the House vote.

Schumer and Majority Whip John Cornyn (R-Texas) introduced the bill, which passed the Senate without objection in May.

“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.”