Brooks Supports Congress' First Successful Defeat of Obama Veto

Washington, D.C. – Today, Congressman Mo Brooks (AL-05) voted to override President Obama’s veto of the Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act (JASTA).  The House passed this measure by a vote of 348-77.  Similarly, the Senate voted today 97-1 to override the President’s veto.  This bipartisan legislation protects the right of families of victims of terror attacks to recover compensation for injuries and loss of loved ones from foreign states that aid and abet terrorist acts on American soil.  JASTA gives victims of terrorism a voice and a pathway to justice.  

Congressman Brooks said, “This is the first time that the American people, through their representatives in Congress, have joined in a passionate and bipartisan condemnation of President Obama’s support for foreign state terrorism, resoundingly overriding the President’s veto.  This Administration’s attempt to deny the right of American victims of terrorism to seek compensation from accomplices who aided and abetted terrorism is unconscionable.”

Brooks concluded, “By vetoing this legislation, President Obama tried to, with a stroke of his pen, deny families affected by the 9/11 attacks from having their day in court.  The President is not acting in the best interests of American citizens.  Thanks to our system of checks and balances, however, Congress can provide justice to American victims of terrorism, despite the President’s objection.  I stand with the American citizens seeking recourse under the law, and I stand against the President’s attempt to protect terrorism accomplices from American justice.” 

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