Democrats Move to Block US-Saudi Nuclear Energy Deal

Democratic lawmakers have launched a two-pronged effort to block or expose a civil nuclear energy agreement between the Trump administration and Saudi Arabia. Representative Gregory Meeks and three colleagues introduced a Joint Resolution of Disapproval to strike down the 123 agreement, arguing it lacks critical nonproliferation safeguards. Critics warn the deal deviates from the gold standard used with the United Arab Emirates by limiting International Atomic Energy Agency inspections to declared sites and allowing a joint study on uranium enrichment up to 20%.

Simultaneously, a bipartisan group of senators led by Jeff Merkley and Ed Markey demanded that Secretary of State Marco Rubio and the Secretary of Energy declassify two side letters accompanying the pact. The senators argue that the classification of these documents is unprecedented and that the public must understand the specific commitments made by both nations.

The 30-year project involves constructing AP1000 reactors, which would benefit the company Westinghouse. Secretary of State Marco Rubio defended the agreement as a strategic necessity to prevent Saudi Arabia from partnering with China or Russia. While President Donald Trump has suggested the deal depends on Saudi Arabia normalizing relations with Israel, congressional aides report no such requirement exists in the text. The resolution may face a vote after the midterm elections, though President Trump retains veto power.