Amendment blocks Saudi nuclear weapon development

House legislators have adopted an amendment prohibiting U.S. sales of nuclear power equipment to Saudi Arabia without safeguards preventing nuclear weapon development.

Officials said the House adopted the language as an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act, which is expected to gain passage, noting the revision was proposed by Rep. Brad Sherman (D-CA).

The action prevents a President from submitting to Congress an Agreement that allows American companies to sell nuclear equipment to other countries unless those countries have signed the Additional Protocol – a safeguard agreement with the International Atomic Energy Agency enabling highly intrusive inspections.

Saudi Arabia is negotiating a Nuclear Cooperation Agreement with the Trump administration and has thus far refused to sign the Additional Protocol.

“The only reason for not signing the Additional Protocol is if a country wants to secretly develop nuclear weapons,” Sherman said. “If you can’t trust Saudi Arabia with a bone saw, you shouldn’t trust them with a nuclear weapon, and this amendment would help ensure Saudi Arabia never gets one.”

Sherman said under current law, a Nuclear Cooperation Agreement must be submitted to Congress, but Congress’ authority to reject an Agreement, once submitted requires a two-thirds vote of both the House and the Senate to reject an Agreement.

However, under Sherman’s amendment, the Administration cannot submit an Agreement, unless Saudi signs the Additional Protocol.