The Senate's Foreign Relations Committee on Thursday passed a Bill amending the US Atomic Energy Act by an overwhelming 16-2 vote, making likely a smooth implementation of the Indo-US nuclear deal.
Democrats Russell Feingold and Barbara Boxer opposed the Bill co-sponsored by Chairman Richard Lugar and ranking Democrat Joseph Biden. Feingold moved an amendment for a Presidential determination that nuclear supplies to India were not freeing up domestic uranium for weapons use. It was shot down 13-5.
Another amendment on asking other countries to stop nuclear supplies to India in case of test was also defeated.
Biden called it a "historic" moment and said the deal would benefit both India and the US. He also named the Bharatiya Janata Party as not having supported the Bill.