US Senate panel okays Nuke Bill

Foreign Relations Committee passed an enabling draft Bill by a 16-2 majority.

The Senate’s Foreign Relations Committee on Thursday passed a Bill amending the US Atomic Energy Act by a 16-2 vote, making likely a smooth implementation of the Indo-US nuclear deal.

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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.

Veteran legislators not only supported the Bill, but some like John Kerry spoke of India in glowing terms. Biden called it a “historic” moment and welcomed President Bush’s initiative. The agreement “is the most important strategic diplomatic initiative undertaken by President George W. Bush,” said the legislation’s prime sponsor, Lugar.

A separate Bill was passed on Tuesday by the House of Representatives International Relations Committee. Each chamber must now approve its own Bill, then reconcile the competing versions and take a final vote, which proponents anticipate in July.

But before Congress can give final approval, US-India negotiations on technical details of the agreement must be completed, as must India’s negotiations with the International Atomic Energy Agency on a system of inspections for New Delhi’s civilian nuclear facilities.