House Minority Whip Steny Hoyer admitted Thursday that it’s “valid” for President Obama to worry about legislation allowing the families of 9/11 victims to file suit against countries allegedly involved in the attack, but defended his vote to override Obama’s veto nonetheless.
Hoyer was asked on CNN if voting the Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act into law might expose U.S. military deployed overseas to retaliatory lawsuits in other countries.
“I think that’s a good point, and I think we need to be looking at that closely,” he said. “That was certainly not the intent, nor do we think it’s the effect, but it’s a valid concern the president raises, and we have to look at it very carefully to make sure that his concerns are dealt with.”
The Senate voted 97-1 and the House voted 348-77 on Wednesday to override Obama’s veto, a first in his nearly eight years in the Oval Office. When asked why he voted for the bill despite acknowledging the president’s points, Hoyer said it’s possible that Congress could address those concerns with legislation to tweak the law.
Hoyer also stressed that the “overwhelming majority” in Congress believe that citizens who were injured or lost family members in the 9/11 attacks should have their day in court.
“So that’s why the Congress overwhelmingly voted for that. But the president’s concerns are valid. We need to look at those. I’m sure we’ll continue to do so,” he said.
