US - Saudia Arabia Relations: Democrats Urge Biden To Recalibrate Ties To Oil-Rich Country

Six prominent House Democrats wrote a letter to President Joe Biden on Tuesday that urged him to “recalibrate” the relationship with Saudi Arabia, lest Riyadh signals it is willing to change course on policies viewed as inimical to U.S. interests.

The move comes as Biden considers a visit to the oil-rich Middle East and as the gas prices have surged throughout the U.S.

In their letter, Democrats accused Saudi Arabia of undermining U.S. priorities through its "refusal to stabilize global energy markets," which they say enables Russia's war in Ukraine and raises gas prices. They also point to the Saudi war in Yemen and the October 2018 killing of Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi, an act the CIA assessed was done on the order of Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

"Until Saudi Arabia shows signs of charting a different course...we encourage you to redouble your efforts to recalibrate the U.S.-Saudi relationship," the letter reads.

Relations with Saudi Arabia have been strained during the Biden administration. On the campaign trail, Biden vowed to treat the kingdom as a “pariah” for its killing of Khashoggi and he declassified the CIA’s report that pointed the finger at the Bin Salman.

The pressure to secure some form of detente between Washington and Riyadh has mounted amid the surge in gas prices. Bin Salman reportedly rejected a call with Biden in early March and in an interview stated that he did not care what Biden thought of him. However, U.S. and Saudi delegations have sought to smooth out differences between the two leaders.

The White House has not confirmed whether Biden will visit Saudi Arabia, but Biden said on Friday that it remained a possibility.

Democrats, who have long opposed U.S. support for the war in Yemen and who fumed at the Trump administration for refusing to hold Bin Salman accountable for Khashoggi’s killing, were quick to fire a warning shot to Biden over the weekend. There has also been criticism of Saudi Arabia seeking stronger ties with China.

During an appearance on CBS' "Face the Nation" on Sunday, Rep. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., the chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, echoed the warnings to Biden in the letter by saying any visit should come only after changes from Riyadh.

"Until Saudi Arabia makes a radical change in terms of (its) human rights, I wouldn't want anything to do with him," said Schiff, who signed the letter.