Hyde Comments on House Passage of United States and India Nuclear Cooperation Promotion Act of 2006

Hyde Comments on House Passage of United States and India Nuclear Cooperation Promotion Act of 2006
Measure passes by a vote of 359 to 68

U.S. Rep. Henry J. Hyde (R-IL), Chairman of the House Committee on International Relations, released the following statement after the U.S. House of Representatives passed the United States and India Nuclear Cooperation and Promotion Act of 2006 by a vote of 359 to 68:

I am pleased that the House of Representatives has passed this historic legislation by such an overwhelming vote. It clears the way for the United States and India to reinforce an already strong, strategic alliance. As it is crafted, it represents a judicious balancing of competing priorities. On the one hand, the world has known that India possesses nuclear weapons, yet India has not had a seat at the table of nuclear stakeholders. The agreement calls for the U.S. to sell technology to India for nuclear power development. In return, India will open its 14 civilian nuclear reactors to international inspections, agree not to test nuclear weapons, and abide by nuclear export controls.

While it is important to note that this deal would improve international nuclear security, at the same time, it will expand relations between the U.S. and one of the most important emerging nations in the world. It will enable India to make energy cheaper, cleaner and more accessible. It would create more customers for U.S. firms and, in the end, both countries will benefit.

http://wwwc.house.gov/international_relations/109/news072706.htm