Saudi Crown Prince Bin Salman Meets Congress Amid U.S. Investment Surge. Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman met with U.S. lawmakers at the Capitol on Wednesday during the second day of his Washington visit promoting stronger economic and security ties while downplaying criticism over human rights concerns. President Trump welcomed the crown prince at the White House on Tuesday, defending him over the 2018 killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, an operation U.S. intelligence agencies say bin Salman approved. Former critics, including Senator Marco Rubio, joined meetings with the prince, signaling his rehabilitation in Washington. On Capitol Hill, the reception was more subdued, with discussions covering Saudi Arabia's internal plans, Israel and Gaza, technology transfers, and countering Chinese espionage. Some lawmakers criticized Trump's comments on Khashoggi, while others emphasized U.S. security interests in the Middle East. Bin Salman pledged to increase Saudi investments in the U.S. to $1 trillion, up from $600 billion, and announced deals on arms sales, civil nuclear cooperation, and artificial intelligence.