Mother Plans To Sue Saudi Arabia After Losing Son On 9/11
LOWER MAKEFIELD, Pa. (CBS) -- For the first time since President Obama took office, Congress voted to override one of his vetoes.
On Wednesday, lawmakers overturned the President's veto of a bill allowing families and victims of the 9/11 terror attacks to sue Saudi Arabia.
"I cried today. I cry a little every day. I try to keep it under control," Lower Makefield resident Judy Reiss told Eyewitness News.
Reiss says the pain of losing her son Josh inside the north tower of the World Trade Center continues to be unbearable and perpetual.
"We just didn't know if Congress could be bipartisan enough to really do the right thing," she said.
Josh Reiss, 23, worked for Cantor Fitzgerald and was above the 100th floor when the plane crashed. Reiss got a phone call on Wednesday and was happy to learn that she can now sue the government of Saudi Arabia for what happened to her son.
President Obama vetoed the original bill, but the Senate voted 97-1 and House 348-77 to override the veto.
Democratic Pennsylvania Senator Bob Casey broke from President Obama and told Eyewitness News in a statement: "This is a matter of basic justice for the 9/11 families. Those who lost loved ones on 9/11 deserve a full measure of justice and that means having the opportunity to hold any party accountable in court.
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President Obama's press secretary called the override "embarrassing." The White House warned it would set a bad precedent and damage a relationship with Saudi Arabia. Reiss is focused on the innocent victims of 9/11 and has no regrets about the new law.
"It's not going to bring Josh back. It took me a long time to get to that point that it's not going to bring him back but it gives him justice. He does deserve justice"
