Two Democratic US senators have introduced a joint resolution of disapproval aimed at blocking President Donald Trump's civilian nuclear cooperation agreement with Saudi Arabia, warning that the deal lacks critical safeguards to prevent a nuclear arms race in the Middle East. The resolution, filed on 16 October 2026, sets the stage for a Senate vote before the agreement can take effect after 29 November.

Who Filed the Resolution and What It Seeks

Senator Jeff Merkley of Oregon and Senator Edward Markey of Massachusetts — both senior Democratic voices on foreign policy — introduced the measure under the congressional review process established by Section 123 of the US Atomic Energy Act. Under federal law, Congress holds a 90-day review period to scrutinise civilian nuclear cooperation agreements. If no blocking resolution is adopted within that window, the agreement enters into force automatically.

Merkley, a senior member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, was direct in his opposition. 'Giving Saudi Arabia access to US civilian nuclear energy technology without ironclad protections to make sure it doesn't provide a foundation for a nuclear bomb is unacceptable,' he said. 'We can't sleepwalk into a decision this consequential,' he added, underscoring what he described as Congress's constitutional responsibility to scrutinise such agreements.

What the Senators Say Is Missing

The senators contend the deal fails to incorporate two safeguards they consider non-negotiable. The first is the so-called gold standard for civilian nuclear cooperation, under which a recipient country commits not to enrich uranium or reprocess spent nuclear fuel — processes that, while having legitimate civilian applications, can also contribute to the production of weapons-grade nuclear material.

The second is Saudi Arabia's adherence to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)'s Additional Protocol, which grants inspectors broader access and information to detect undeclared nuclear activities. According to the senators, the absence of these conditions risks incentivising other regional powers to demand equivalent concessions.

The Regional Proliferation Risk

Markey went further in his warnings, framing the deal in stark terms. 'The US-Saudi nuclear deal is about megatons, not megawatts,' he said. He accused the administration of pursuing an arrangement that falls short of established non-proliferation standards, particularly by permitting uranium enrichment without requiring the strongest international inspections. 'This deal is the starting gun for a Middle East nuclear arms race. Congress must reject it,' Markey said.

The senators specifically cited the United Arab Emirates (UAE), whose nuclear cooperation agreement with Washington incorporated stronger restrictions on sensitive nuclear activities, as a benchmark. They warned that offering Saudi Arabia more favourable terms could encourage the UAE to reconsider its existing commitments. Separately, they expressed concern that Iran could resist future restrictions on its own nuclear programme if Riyadh were permitted to pursue capabilities denied to Tehran.

Classified Side Letters and Transparency Concerns

The resolution follows earlier congressional demands for greater transparency over the proposed agreement. Lawmakers have sought access to two accompanying side letters that the Trump administration has classified, raising further concerns about the scope and terms of what is being offered to Riyadh. The introduction of the resolution does not suspend the agreement or constitute a formal congressional rejection — it merely initiates the procedural path toward a Senate vote.

What Happens Next

A Senate vote on the resolution must occur before 29 November if Congress is to block the agreement from entering into force. The outcome will test whether opposition to the deal extends beyond the Democratic caucus and whether the administration can defend its non-proliferation credentials to a sceptical chamber. This marks one of the most significant congressional challenges yet to the Trump administration's nuclear diplomacy in the Middle East.