Twin Towers September 11 attack
Twin Towers September 11 attackReuters

The Senate will vote on Wednesday to override President Barack Obama’s veto of legislation that would allow the families of the victims of the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks to sue the government of Saudi Arabia, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) said Monday, according to Politico.

The House is likely to vote on the override Thursday or Friday, a Republican leadership aide said.

Congress is expected to easily clinch the two-thirds support needed to override Obama’s veto, which would be the first veto override of his presidency, noted Politico.

The legislation, known formally as the Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act, was approved by the House of Representatives earlier this month, after it had been passed by the Senate in May. The legislation is sponsored by, among others, Sens. John Cornyn (R-TX), and Chuck Schumer (D-NY).

Obama last Friday followed thorough with his threat to veto the controversial legislation which Saudi Arabia has lobbied hard against.

Both the chairman and the top Democrat on the House Armed Services Committee — Republican Mac Thornberry of Texas and Democrat Adam Smith of Washington — are circulating letters urging lawmakers to oppose JASTA. They warn that the legislation could open up U.S. officials abroad to retaliation, reported Politico.