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Hurdles in tabling n-deal in Senate removed

Hectic efforts under way in the last few days to bring the Senate version for debate

Washington: In a positive development towards tabling of the Indo-U.S. nuclear deal in the Senate, law makers who had placed a "hold" on the legislation have relented, paving the way for it to be debated in the House.

Anonymous hold

Sources told PTI that a small group of Senators, who put an "anonymous" hold on the Senate bill objecting to Title Two of the legislation that dealt with an additional protocol between the U.S. and the International Atomic Energy Agency, have "found accommodation" with the Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Richard Lugar.

Title Two of S 3709 has nothing to do with the Indo-U.S. civilian nuclear agreement and is related to arrangements between the U.S. and the IAEA.

Hectic efforts have been under way in the last few days to try and bring the Senate version of the civilian nuclear agreement to a debate and vote prior to the Senate adjourning on September 29.

Even now, sources point out, it is not entirely clear whether the agreement reached on the "hold" means that the entire Title Two would be stripped out of the legislation or "acceptable" language has been found so that the legislation as a whole could move forward. — PTI

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