The United States lawmaker who co-authored the Indo-US nuclear bill has criticised the Senate Republican leadership for delaying the debate about the bill on the Senate floor.
Speaking at the Congressional reception hosted by the Indian-American community under the umbrella of the US-India Friendship Council for members of the US Senate, Senator Joseph Biden, a presumptive presidential candidate in 2008, said, "I just have one message, and I'd like to ask for your help. We have to pass this treaty before we go out."
He asserted, "We can pass this treaty, and don't let it get hung up on the idea that we can't bring it up unless there's a limitation (of amendments). We can get this treaty passed."
Biden said the treaty is critically important for the US, India and for "our ability to play a positive role in managing the world in the 21st century".
Senate Majority Leader Frist told India Abroad that no specific date has been set to bring the legislation to the Senate floor and he predicted such action may be postponed.
He said that he had met with Senator Richard Lugar and advised him to negotiate a package with Biden to have just a couple of amendments on each side that would not take too much debating and voting time.
Frist said this will help ensure that a debate and vote could be conducted before the Senate adjourns on October 6 and the lawmakers leave to campaign in their states.
Frist said, "If the Democrats agree to that, we'll take that to the floor. If not, it would be after the election in what's called a lame-duck session. But we hope that it can be addressed. I feel very strongly that it should be addressed."
Meanwhile, former First Lady and the junior Senator from New York Hillary Rodham Clinton also lauded the Indian-American community for coming to the Senate "and making your voices heard on behalf of this important issue."
She said, "The nuclear deal, which calls for the furtherance of peaceful nuclear power is essential for both our country and India. We hope that Congress will be acting on it soon. We are certainly standing by to try to help that come to pass."