In a sharp rebuke to President Barack Obama, the US Congress has rejected outright his veto and voted afresh overwhelmingly in favour of a bill that will allow families of 9/11 victims to sue Saudi Arabia in US courts for allegedly supporting the attackers.

In what was the first-ever Congressional overriding of a veto exercised by Obama in his over seven and a half years at the helm, Democrats joined Republicans in both Houses to thwart his bid to scuttle the legislation.   Obama disagreed with the Congress action, calling it a “mistake” that could set a “dangerous precedent” for individuals around the world to sue the US Government. But supporters of the bill differed strongly, saying the provisions applied only to acts of terrorism occurring on American soil.

By all accounts, it was a staggering defeat for Obama, particularly in the Senate which voted 97-1 to push ahead with the legislation with Senate Democratic leader Harry Reid being the lone dissenter. In the House of Representatives, the measure was carried 348-77.

 Families of 9/11 victims welcomed the Congressional action. “We rejoice in this triumph and look forward to our day in court and a time when we may finally get more answers regarding who was truly behind the attacks,” said Terry Strada, National Chair of the 9/11 Families & Survivors United for Justice Against Terrorism.

Chuck Schumer, the senior Democratic Senator from New York, defended the action, saying, “Overriding a presidential veto is something we don’t take lightly, but it was important in this case that the families of the victims of 9/11 be allowed to pursue justice, even if that pursuit causes some diplomatic discomforts.” The newly-enacted law will enable families of 9/11 victims to file new suits to directly sue Saudi Arabia, amending a 1976 law that granted foreign countries immunity from American lawsuits.