Wilson Praises Progress of U.S.-India Nuclear Proposal

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Emily Lawrimore
202-225-2452 (W)
202-468-3258 (C)

June 27, 2006

Wilson Praises Progress of U.S.-India Nuclear Proposal
House IR Committee Passes “U.S.-India Peaceful Nuclear Cooperation Promotion Act”

After the House International Relations Committee overwhelmingly passed the “U.S.-India Peaceful Nuclear Cooperation Promotion Act of 2006” (H.R. 5682), Congressman Joe Wilson (SC-02) made the following statement:

“Since March, Chairman Henry Hyde, Congressman Tom Lantos, and other members of the House International Relations Committee have worked tirelessly to achieve a well-balanced piece of legislation that moves the proposed U.S.-India nuclear agreement forward. By passing H.R. 5682 out of Committee today, we have made steady progress on a critical agreement with India that will improve our nonproliferation efforts, create more American jobs, and strengthen our national security.”

H.R. 5682 exempts a proposed nuclear agreement for cooperation with India from certain requirements of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954. The legislation would grant the President a series of waivers that would allow him to negotiate and submit to Congress for approval an agreement for civil nuclear cooperation with India. Before he can exercise this authority, the President must issue a series of determinations that India has met certain requirements, such as negotiation of a safeguards agreement with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). This bill also requires continuing consultation with Congress and a number of reports to ensure that Congress is fully informed of the ongoing negotiation and implementation of the agreement.

Congressman Joe Wilson serves on the House International Relations Committee and is Past Co-Chair of the Congressional Caucus on India and Indian Americans.

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