US senators move to block Saudi nuclear deal

Two Democratic US senators introduced a resolution seeking to block President Donald Trump's civilian nuclear cooperation agreement with Saudi Arabia, warning that the deal lacks safeguards needed to prevent a nuclear arms race in the Middle East. Senators Jeff Merkley of Oregon and Edward Markey of Massachusetts introduced the joint resolution of disapproval, setting the stage for a Senate vote after November 29, before the proposed agreement takes effect. The move marks a new congressional challenge to the administration's nuclear diplomacy with Riyadh.

Under federal law, Congress has a…