[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 130 (Thursday, November 16, 2006)]
[Senate]
[Page S10978]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 UNITED STATES-INDIA NUCLEAR AGREEMENT

  Mr. REID. Mr. President, I think it is so important that we do 
whatever we can to pass this nuclear agreement that has been negotiated 
with India. India is the largest democracy in the world and we have had 
such tremendous relations with them over the last number of years. I 
think it would send a great sign to the rest of the world that we are 
able to work on issues of this importance and actually get it done. I 
surely hope we can do this. I feel confident we can. There are 
amendments and people can debate them. When the managers of the bill 
have heard enough, if necessary they can move to table, or whatever it 
takes to move these along. Senator Biden on Tuesday said there are a 
lot of these amendments he is aware of that they could work out or 
accept.
  So I am hopeful we can finish today, tonight, or tomorrow, and there 
is no reason we shouldn't be able to. We have a number of amendments 
that have been locked in and there is no way this matter should not be 
completed. I think it is very important that we go into the 
Thanksgiving period with knowing that we have been able to work out 
something between two great democracies.
  Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, I will be back with the plans here shortly 
after I talk to the Democratic leader, and in the meantime we will be 
in a period of morning business. Again, the United States-India nuclear 
agreement is something we will complete before we leave and is the 
order of the day. We should be able to go to that very early this 
morning, maybe as soon as 20 minutes from now. That will be the plan, 
to proceed through those amendments. There is one amendment we may have 
to go into a closed session to debate, and the details will be 
announced for that as well.

  Mr. President, I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. The clerk will call the roll.
  The legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. CARPER. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for 
the quorum call be rescinded.
  The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. Without objection, it is so 
ordered.

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