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Republican rebels block restrictions on Saudi nuclear deal

A handful of Republicans are holding up a GOP resolution calling for a "gold standard" civil nuclear deal with Riyadh despite a Saudi lobbying blitz.
U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) listens beside U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) during a news conference following the Republican weekly policy lunch on Capitol Hill in Washington, U.S., September 25, 2018. REUTERS/Al Drago - RC1580FEF870

A handful of Senate Republicans are bucking their leadership by holding up a resolution calling on the Donald Trump administration to refrain from reaching a nuclear deal with Saudi Arabia that falls short of America's so-called gold standard.

Al-Monitor has learned from congressional sources that Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., wants to unanimously pass a nonbinding resolution on the floor urging the Trump administration to “prohibit the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia from enriching uranium or separating plutonium on its own territory.” But several Republicans are objecting, casting doubt on Congress’ determination to weigh in on the Trump administration’s nuclear negotiations with the Saudis.

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