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Tuesday, September 20, 2016

McConnell: Senate will delay vacation to override Obama veto


By Jordain Carney - 09-20-16 14:19 PM EDT

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) said Tuesday that the Senate will take up an expected veto override of legislation that lets families of 9/11 victims sue Saudi Arabia in U.S. courts before breaking for the elections.

"Both of those we'll have to deal with before we depart," McConnell told reporters.

He was referring to the veto override and a separate push to block a proposed arms sale to Saudi Arabia.

The Senate is scheduled to be in session through early October, but lawmakers were hoping to leave town as soon as this week until after the election.

McConnell said Tuesday that it's "safe to say" the Senate will be in session next week.

The House and Senate have both approved the Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act. The White House is expected to veto the legislation by Friday, the deadline for it to take action.

The administration argues the bill could open up U.S. citizens abroad to retaliatory legal attacks.

A handful of senators, including Republicans and Democrats, have echoed the White House's concerns but stopped short of saying they would oppose the override.

McConnell also said Tuesday that he is "aggressively" opposed to a resolution to block the sale of military equipment to Saudi Arabia, adding "the Saudis have in many, many ways been good allies over the years."

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