# U.S. Senators Challenge Saudi Nuclear Deal

On October 15, 2026, Senators Edward Markey and Jeff Merkley introduced a Joint Resolution of Disapproval seeking to prevent the U.S.-Saudi civil nuclear cooperation agreement, or 123 agreement, from taking effect. The agreement, signed in late July, would enable U.S. companies to help develop Saudi Arabia’s civilian nuclear infrastructure over 30 years. The Senate is expected to consider the resolution after November 29, during the agreement’s 90-day congressional review period. No solicitation, contract value, or awardee is identified; the outcome could affect future U.S. civil nuclear work in Saudi Arabia and the safeguards associated with it.

- Companies evaluating Saudi civil nuclear opportunities should account for congressional review as a source of uncertainty for market access and project timing; no specific procurement opportunity has been announced in these signals.
- The debate identifies potential safeguards issues—including limits on enrichment and reprocessing and rigorous inspections—that could shape the conditions for U.S. technology cooperation.
- The Senate vote is expected after November 29, 2026. Contractors can assess whether prospective work depends on the agreement taking effect and how changes to its terms could affect their plans.

**Jurisdictions:** federal, international
**Industries:** Energy & Utilities, Construction & Infrastructure
**Topics:** Regulatory Compliance, Policy
**Published:** October 17, 2026

### Government Entities
- U.S. Senate (Senate)
- U.S. Congress (Congress)
- Government of Saudi Arabia
- International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)

### Key Quotes
> It is essential that nations pursuing civilian energy programs agree to the ‘gold standard’ of restrictions on fuel reprocessing and enrichment and rigorous inspections to ensure that a nuclear energy program doesn’t become a covert nuclear weapons program.
> — Jeff Merkley, U.S. Senator

### Sources
- [Democrats introduce measure to block Saudi nuclear deal](https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/6152383-senators-block-saudi-nuclear-deal) - The Hill
- [Markey, Merkley Announce Joint Resolution of Disapproval on U.S.-Saudi Nuclear Deal, Setting Up Senate Vote](https://www.markey.senate.gov/news/press-releases/markey-merkley-announce-joint-resolution-of-disapproval-on-us-saudi-nuclear-deal-setting-up-senate-vote) - Markey Senate
- [Merkley, Markey Announce Joint Resolution of Disapproval on U.S.-Saudi Nuclear Deal, Setting Up Senate Vote - Merkley](https://www.merkley.senate.gov/merkley-markey-announce-joint-resolution-of-disapproval-on-u-s-saudi-nuclear-deal-setting-up-senate-vote/) - Merkley Senate