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US House Approves Bill Allowing 9/11 Victims' Families to Sue Saudi Arabia

© Flickr / Kārlis DambrānsNew york - 9/11 memorial
New york - 9/11 memorial - Sputnik International
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The US House of Representatives approved of the Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act (JASTA) in a voice vote on Friday, clearing the path for families of September 11, 2001 terror attack victims to sue Saudi Arabia.

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — The bill will override current Saudi claims to sovereign immunity, allowing families of September 11 victims to bring a long-standing federal court case against the Saudi government for allegedly sponsoring the 2001 terrorist attacks.

"This is a great day for America," US Congressman from New York and bill sponsor Peter King said prior to the vote. "We can be proud going into the 15th anniversary of the [September 11] attacks, that we have not given up the fight."

In this Sept. 11, 2001, file photo, the twin towers of the World Trade Center burn behind the Empire State Building in New York. - Sputnik International
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JASTA will allow a US citizen to bring suit against a foreign nation believed to have provided material support to facilitate a terror attack on US soil or affecting US persons.

In May, the US Senate passed JASTA with unanimous approval and in spite of warnings from President Barack Obama that he would veto the bill.

The White House has opposed the bill, arguing it will set a precedent opening up the United States to similar lawsuits from foreign countries.

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