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Lawmakers gave a markedly different reaction to the White House’s announcement of a new nuclear deal with Saudi Arabia, with Democrats concerned about accelerating the Middle East’s nuclear program and Republicans stressing the need for regional cooperation.
“I don’t trust anyone in the way I can throw them, but we have to improve our partners,” Rep. Tim Burchett, R-Tenn., told Fox News Digital. “And as long as we can verify them, we have people who can verify that they’re using them for the right use, then we’re good.”
The Department of Energy released details on Wednesday about the deal, which will support the development of Saudi Arabia’s nuclear power program by providing US technology and expertise. The agreement also includes safeguards aimed at ensuring that nuclear material is not diverted to weapons development.
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Lawmakers gave mixed reactions to the White House’s announcement of a new nuclear deal with Saudi Arabia. (Aaron Schwartz/CNP/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
Rep. Jamie Raskin, D-Md., slammed the proposal as “outrageous,” and Rep. Gregory Meeks, DN.Y., argued that allowing Saudi Arabia to enrich uranium without strong safeguards would “cause a nuclear arms race.”
“The president says what we’re trying to do is prevent Iran from getting a nuclear weapon, but if Saudi Arabia … doesn’t meet all the criteria, etc., that could cause an arms race where the Egyptians or others in the region want a nuclear weapon,” Meeks said.
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Rep. Mark Alford, R-Miss., said Congress should be central to the decision to pursue any final deal, while emphasizing the importance of having Saudi Arabia as a regional partner.
“I think it’s important with any deal like this that Congress has input on that and I look forward to reviewing that,” Alford said.
“As we continue our conflict with Iran, we need like-minded partners in that region,” Alford continued. “And Saudi, with the changes they are making right now, gives me great hope and encouragement that we can move forward together in that region to help bring lasting peace.
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Raskin also raised questions on Fox News Digital about President Donald Trump’s family’s financial ties to Saudi Arabia.
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“Now the Trump administration is allowing the Saudis to enrich uranium,” Raskin said. “So, the Saudis enrich the Trumps, and the Trumps allow the Saudis to enrich uranium and then we’ll have more nuclear weapons in the Middle East to start another nuclear arms race there.”
The deal comes as the Trump administration seeks to strengthen its relationship with Saudi Arabia while maintaining pressure on Iran over its nuclear program, a balancing act that Congress is likely to consider in the coming months.
