In a landmark decision, the House has passed legislation already approved by the Senate which would allow private American citizens to formally bring lawsuits against the Saudi Arabia government for their alleged involvement in the attacks of 9/11.

Long before the House approved the legislation, president Obama said that he fully intends to veto the legislation if it makes it to his desk.

“If we open up the possibility that individuals and the United States can routinely start suing other governments, then we are also opening up the United States to being continually sued by individuals in other countries.”

The president’s fears are twofold: that victims of American-instigated attacks and warfare could lodge their own cases against the U.S., and that relations with Saudi Arabia would break down in the face of this legislation.

Saudi Arabia has already made it clear that they intend to remove U.S. investments in retaliation if the legislation is passed.

The 9/11 attacks ended the lives of nearly 3,000 citizens, injured another 6,000, and left thousands more with long-term effects from exposure to deadly chemicals and inhalants. If the Saudi Arabia government was truly uninvolved with the attack, they have nothing to fear from litigation, but the thousands of Americans involved have a right to pursue justice.

Watch.

Sydney Robinson is a political writer for the Ring of Fire Network. She has also appeared in political news videos for Ring of Fire. Sydney has a degree in English Literature from the University of West Florida, and has an active interest in politics, social justice, and environmental issues. She would love to hear from you on Twitter @SydneyMkay or via email at srobinson@ringoffireradio.com