Saudi Nuclear Nonproliferation Act of 2019

To require a joint resolution of approval for the entry into effect of a civilian nuclear cooperation agreement with Saudi Arabia, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Saudi Nuclear Nonproliferation Act of 2019 2. Sense of Congress It is the sense of Congress that— (1) the United States should not approve a civilian nuclear cooperation agreement with Saudi Arabia until the Government of Saudi Arabia— (A) has been truthful and transparent with regard to the death of Jamal Khashoggi; (B) has renounced uranium enrichment and reprocessing on its territory, as well as agreed to an Additional Protocol with the International Atomic Energy Agency; and (C) has made significant progress on the protection of human rights, including through the release of political prisoners; (2) the United States and Saudi Arabia have traditionally shared an important strategic partnership, which includes joint efforts— (A) to combat terrorism; (B) to ensure regional stability; and (C) to address other common challenges; (3) the strategic partnership between the United States and Saudi Arabia should be based on— (A) the pursuit of shared national security interests; and (B) respect for human rights and the rule of law; and (4) any decision by the Government of Saudi Arabia to pursue civilian nuclear cooperation with the Russian Federation or the People’s Republic of China, or without signing a civilian nuclear cooperation agreement with the United States, would— (A) harm efforts to promote nuclear nonproliferation; and (B) seriously undermine the strategic partnership between the United States and Saudi Arabia. 3. Statement of policy It shall be the policy of the United States— (1) to require the Government of Saudi Arabia to renounce uranium enrichment and spent fuel reprocessing on its territory for the duration of a civilian nuclear cooperation agreement with the United States; (2) to require the Government of Saudi Arabia to sign and implement the Additional Protocol with the International Atomic Energy Agency as part of a civilian nuclear cooperation agreement with the United States; (3) to oppose, through the Nuclear Suppliers Group, the sale of nuclear technology to Saudi Arabia until the Government of Saudi Arabia has renounced uranium enrichment and reprocessing on its territory as part of a civilian nuclear cooperation agreement with the United States; and (4) to seek modification of the guidelines of the Nuclear Suppliers Group relating to the transfer of nuclear technology, as applied with respect to Saudi Arabia, until Saudi Arabia has renounced enrichment and reprocessing on its territory. 4. Congressional approval required for civilian nuclear cooperation agreement Notwithstanding any other requirements under section 123 of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 ( 42 U.S.C. 2153 (1) The President has submitted a proposed agreement with Saudi Arabia in accordance with the requirements of such section 123. (2) In conjunction with the submission referred to in paragraph (1), the President has submitted to Congress an unclassified report (which may include a classified annex) that describes each of the following: (A) The extent to which the Government of Saudi Arabia has been truthful and transparent in its investigation into the death of Jamal Khashoggi. (B) Whether those responsible for his death have been prosecuted or otherwise held accountable for such act. (C) The extent to which Saudi Arabia has renounced uranium enrichment and reprocessing on its territory or will commit to renouncing such enrichment and reprocessing as part of the proposed agreement with the United States. (D) Whether Saudi Arabia has agreed to sign and implement an Additional Protocol with the International Atomic Energy Agency. (E) The extent to which Saudi Arabia has cooperated, or is pursuing cooperation, with the People’s Republic of China or with any other foreign governments on advancing its missile programs and acquiring missile and other associated technologies that would be restricted under the Missile Technology Control Regime. (F) The extent to which Saudi Arabia has made substantial progress on improving the protection of human rights, including through the release of political prisoners. (3) On or after the date of the submission of the proposed agreement and report required under paragraphs (1) and (2), a joint resolution stating that Congress approves such agreement has been enacted.

Summary: Saudi Nuclear Nonproliferation Act of 2019 This bill imposes requirements that must be fulfilled before a civilian nuclear cooperation agreement with Saudi Arabia may come into effect. Before such an agreement may come into effect (1) the President must report to Congress on various topics, including whether Saudi Arabia has been transparent in its investigation into the death of journalist Jamal Khashoggi; and (2) Congress must enact a joint resolution stating approval of the agreement.