Saudi Crown Prince Visits a More Receptive US Congress
Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) met with US lawmakers at the Capitol on Wednesday as part of his ongoing visit to the United States. The trip focuses on strengthening economic, security, and strategic cooperation between Riyadh and Washington.
A day earlier, President Donald Trump welcomed the crown prince at the White House, praising the strong partnership between the two countries. The meeting came as MBS continues to move past the controversy surrounding the 2018 killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi — an incident that had strained relations and led to intense scrutiny from US officials.
Several senior lawmakers, including House Speaker Mike Johnson, Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Jim Risch, and House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Brian Mast, attended a formal dinner in honor of the crown prince.
MBS, once viewed critically in Washington due to concerns over Yemen and human rights issues, has seen relations improve significantly. Notably, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who strongly criticised him in 2019, was in attendance during Tuesday’s meeting at the Oval Office.
While the visit signals a warmer diplomatic environment, reactions on Capitol Hill remained mixed. Some lawmakers remained cautious, noting ongoing concerns about human rights and past events. The meetings on Wednesday were low-key, without the usual media appearances often associated with visits by foreign leaders.
Senator Tim Kaine, representing Virginia—where Jamal Khashoggi lived—questioned the approach taken during the visit and urged for continued accountability.
During the discussions, MBS announced plans to boost Saudi investments in the United States from $600 billion to $1 trillion, highlighting expanding economic ties. Both sides also confirmed new agreements involving arms sales, civil nuclear cooperation, and artificial intelligence.
Senator Jeanne Shaheen expressed concerns over some of the newly announced initiatives and called for detailed briefings to ensure full transparency.
The crown prince is also scheduled to attend a major investment conference in Washington featuring executives from leading US companies.
