Democratic senators seek vote to block Saudi nuclear deal

What the senators introduced

Sens. Jeff Merkley of Oregon and Ed Markey of Massachusetts introduced a measure Thursday seeking to block President Trump’s nuclear agreement with Saudi Arabia. Both senators are Democrats.

The proposal is a joint resolution of disapproval, a legislative tool Congress can use to formally oppose an executive branch action. In this case, the resolution targets the agreement allowing Saudi Arabia to build a civilian nuclear program.

The measure requires a vote after Nov. 29. That requirement gives senators a formal opportunity to support or oppose the effort to stop the agreement rather than leaving the resolution without a vote.

What the vote would address

The dispute centers on whether the United States should allow the Saudi government to proceed with the civilian nuclear program covered by Trump’s deal. Merkley and Markey expressed concern about what the agreement would permit and are asking Congress to reject it.

The resolution is aimed at blocking the deal itself. A vote on the measure will therefore ask senators to choose whether to stop the agreement or allow it to remain in place.

The required vote must occur after Nov. 29, but an exact date has not been set. The vote will put the administration’s Saudi nuclear policy directly before the Senate and require members to take a position on the proposed congressional response.