Congressional Statements

Wilson Sends Letter of Support for HR 4974

Legislation Will Initiate U.S.-India Civilian Nuclear Cooperation

March 22, 2006

WASHINGTON, DC - Congressman Joe Wilson (SC-02) circulated a letter to all members of Congress encouraging them to support H.R. 4974, bipartisan legislation to waive the application of certain requirements under the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 with respect to India.

"As we carefully consider all aspects of this legislation, I am hopeful my colleagues will agree that nuclear cooperation with India will improve our nonproliferation efforts, create more American jobs, and strengthen our national security," said Wilson.

The letter includes an editorial from The Post and Courier of Charleston, South Carolina regarding President Bush's historic visit to India and the nuclear agreement between the U.S. and India. Following are excerpts from the article:

Promoting Shared Values

"United States and Indian interests intersect in many areas: in the fight against Muslim terrorism; in promoting democracy through a joint Global Democracy Initiative and a new United Nations Democracy Fund; in combating threats to public health such as AIDS and pandemic flu; in developing new energy technologies, including nuclear energy; and in trade. Economic ties are strong. United States exports to India rose 30 percent in 2005, and despite the controversial outsourcing of American service jobs to India, the United States trade surplus with India was $1.8 billion last year."

Promoting Peaceful Nuclear Technology

"A proposal to share peaceful nuclear technology with a nation that has not joined the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty--is moving forward...If and when details are ironed out, and India opens its peaceful nuclear activities to international inspection, New Delhi will take its responsible place in the rank of the world's nuclear powers. That will place great pressure on Pakistan to follow suit."

Promoting Democracy

"By forging a new era in United States relations with South Asia, the President continues to build a foreign policy legacy."

Read Letter and Article