Post #3 (3/27/17) Unit of Study: Governmental Institutions 

Obama Vetoes 9/11 Bill, but Congressional Override Is Expected

https://www.nytimes.com/2016/09/24/us/politics/obama-veto-saudi-arabia-9-11.html?_r=0

In September of 2016, President Obama vetoed the Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act which would allow the 9/11 victims' families to sue the the government of Saudi Arabia for any role in the attack's plot. The President vetoed it due to his belief that the legislature "undermines core US interests". He also thinks passing this act of allowing individuals to sue a foreign nation for terrorism would overturn America's normal manner of the government as a whole singling foreign countries out as promoter of terrorism. It would subject government officials and military members to legal problems and also put United States resources in jeopardy of being taken away due to overseas lawsuits. Both 2016 Presidential candidates, Trump and Hillary, spoke in support of the bill even though Hillary had previously supported Obama's decision. Both the Speaker of the House and the president of the Senate have said they expect the veto to be overrode which requires 2/3 majority vote from Congress.

The Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act would be the first act to allow individuals to sue a foreign nation for supporting terrorism as normally it's American government as a whole that picks out foreign nations as terrorist supporters. If Obama's veto is overruled by Congress a plethora of issues would open up for the US and its officials such as international lawsuits. These lawsuits would potentially cause the seizing of natural resources the US receives from overseas as well as put a strain on diplomatic relationships with other foreign nations. It is unfair to blame a whole nation for a terrorist attack that was not endorsed by their government; therefore, the President's veto should be withheld though it is unlikely. This relates to class in that it displays how even though the Executive branch has powers such as vetoing, the Legislative branch has powers that can overturn the Executive branch's decisions/powers. It provides a level of checks and balances between the branches of government to ensure no power is being abused.