House OKs India deal to swap nuclear material for inspections

By: JournalNow Staff | THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published: September 28, 2008

WASHINGTON --

The House voted overwhelmingly yesterday to approve a landmark pact that would allow the U.S. to provide nuclear materials to India.

The deal still faces obstacles in the Senate, making prospects uncertain for passage before President Bush leaves office in January. Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., the majority leader and a supporter, promised a Senate vote on the accord in the week ahead, possibly Monday.

Hoping to raise pressure on that chamber, Bush quickly issued a statement praising House passage and prodding the Senate to do the same thing.

"I urge the Senate to quickly take up and pass this important piece of legislation before their October adjournment," the president said. "Signing this bipartisan bill will help strengthen our partnership with India."

The House approved the measure 298-117 without debate in an unusual Saturday session, held as congressmen try dealing with the financial crisis and wrapping up the year's business.

The accord reverses 30 years of U.S. policy by shipping atomic fuel to India in return for international inspections of India's civilian reactors. Military reactors would not be subject to examination.

Supporters say it would bring India's atomic program under closer scrutiny. Critics say it would boost India's nuclear arsenal and spark an arms race in South Asia.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., said that the bill "furthers our countries' strategic relationship while balancing nuclear nonproliferation concerns and India's growing energy needs."

But Rep. Ellen Tauscher, D-Calif., said in a statement before the vote that the agreement "flies in the face of decades of American leadership to contain the spread of weapons of mass destruction."

The deal enjoys strong support from senior legislators in both parties. But it has stalled in the Senate because at least one senator has anonymously blocked it from coming to a vote, according to congressional aides, who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to brief reporters.