Biden sends U.S.-Thailand peaceful nuclear cooperation agreement to Congress

President Joe Biden transmitted the proposed U.S.-Thailand peaceful nuclear cooperation agreement to Congress on January 14, 2025, under section 123 of the Atomic Energy Act. The message sent Congress the agreement text, Biden's written approval, authorization, determination, and the unclassified Nuclear Proliferation Assessment Statement, with classified material to be submitted separately. Biden said the agreement met statutory requirements, advanced U.S. nonproliferation and foreign-policy interests, and would allow peaceful nuclear cooperation without transferring Restricted Data or sensitive nuclear technology. The action mattered because Congress receives a formal review period before a 123 agreement can proceed, making the message part of the checks on civil nuclear cooperation.