CIA Director Warns US Congress Not to Allow 9/11 Lawsuits Against Saudi Arabia

A decision by the US Congress to override President Barack Obama’s veto of a bill allowing individual lawsuits against Saudi Arabia would damage national security and endanger US officials working overseas, Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) Director John Brennan warned in a statement on Wednesday.

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — The measure targets participation by Saudi nationals in the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on New York and Washington, as well as possible complicity by some officials in the Saudi government.

"The most damaging consequence would be for those US government officials who dutifully work overseas on behalf of our country," Brennan said.

The statement explained that the law would be especially risky for CIA employees because the measure would undermine sovereign immunity, a legal principle rooted in reciprocity.

"If we fail to uphold this standard for other countries, we place our own nation’s officials in danger," Brennan stated.

Earlier on Wednesday, the US Senate voted to override the president’s veto and the House of Representatives is expected to follow suit within hours.