House passes measure allowing 9/11 victims to sue Saudi Arabia

The U.S. House of Representatives passed legislation by voice vote on Friday that would allow the families of Sept. 11 attack victims to sue Saudi Arabia's government for damages, despite the White House's threat to veto the measure.

The U.S. Senate passed the "Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act," or JASTA, unanimously in May. Opponents of the bill say it could strain relations with Saudi Arabia and lead to retaliatory laws targeting U.S. citizens or corporations in other countries.

(Reporting by Patricia Zengerle; Editing by Chizu Nomiyama)