Congress is sharply divided over the White House's new nuclear cooperation agreement with Saudi Arabia, with Democrats voicing alarm about the potential for a regional nuclear arms race and Republicans highlighting the necessity of strategic alliances in the Middle East.
The Department of Energy announced details of the agreement this week, which aims to support the development of Saudi Arabia's civilian nuclear energy program through U.S. technology and expertise. The pact includes safeguards designed to prevent the diversion of nuclear materials for weapons development.
However, critics argue the deal could have significant geopolitical ramifications. "The president says what we're trying to do is to stop Iran from having a nuclear weapon, but if Saudi Arabia … does not meet all the protocols, etc., then it could cause an arms race where Egyptians or others in the area want a nuclear weapon," said Rep. Gregory Meeks, D-N.Y. Rep. Jamie Raskin, D-Md., described the proposal as "outrageous."
Republicans, on the other hand, stressed the importance of maintaining relationships in the volatile Middle East. "I don't trust anybody as far as I can throw them, but we've got to develop allies," Rep. Tim Burchett, R-Tenn., told Fox News Digital. "And as long as we can verify them, we have the people there that can verify that they're using them for the proper uses, then we’re okay."
Rep. Mark Alford, R-Miss., emphasized the need for congressional oversight and the strategic value of Saudi Arabia. "I think it's important with any agreement like that that Congress have a role in that and I look forward to reviewing that," Alford said. "As we continue our conflict with Iran, we need partners in that region who are of the same mindset... Saudi, with its reforms that they're undergoing right now, gives me great hope and encouragement that we can move forward together in that region to help bring lasting peace."
Raskin also raised questions regarding potential financial ties between President Donald Trump's family and Saudi Arabia. "Now the Trump administration allows the Saudis to enrich uranium," Raskin stated. "So, the Saudis enrich the Trumps, and the Trump's allow the Saudis to enrich uranium and then we're going to have more nuclear weapons in the Middle East to set off another nuclear arms race there."
The agreement arrives as the Trump administration seeks to bolster its partnership with Saudi Arabia while simultaneously applying pressure on Iran regarding its nuclear program, a delicate balance that is expected to face considerable scrutiny from Congress in the coming months.