Full Breakdown
Senators Push for Full Disclosure of Trump’s Proposed Saudi Nuclear Deal
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event
On September 16, a bipartisan group of U.S. senators sent a letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Secretary of Energy Christopher Wright requesting the declassification and public release of all documents related to President Donald Trump’s proposed civil-nuclear agreement with Saudi Arabia, including two classified “side letters” negotiated with Riyadh. The senators argue that full access is necessary for the Senate and the public to understand the commitments made by both nations.
Background & Context
The proposal, transmitted to Congress in August, initiates a 90-day review period during which lawmakers may consider a resolution of disapproval. It mirrors the “123” nuclear cooperation agreements the United States has concluded with dozens of other countries, yet the Trump administration has kept the Saudi side letters classified. The deal envisions a 30-year partnership to construct AP1000 reactors—projects valued at “tens of billions of dollars”—that would benefit Westinghouse, a company jointly owned by Canada-based Cameco and Brookfield Asset Management.
Official Statements & Responses
President Trump has publicly stated that the agreement will only become operative if Saudi Arabia normalizes relations with Israel, although congressional aides note that the text of the pact contains no such condition. The administration maintains that the proposal includes non-proliferation measures required by U.S. law. Neither the State Department nor the Energy Department responded to requests for comment on the senators’ letter.
Timeline
- August 2026 – President Trump forwards the proposed Saudi nuclear agreement to Congress, opening a 90-day review window.
- September 16 – Senators submit the declassification request to the State and Energy secretaries.
- August 6, 2026 – Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) speaks during a Senate Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee meeting, underscoring ongoing congressional scrutiny of the proposal.