WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Tonight, Rep. Edward J. Markey, co-chair of the House Bipartisan Taskforce on Nonproliferation, released the following statement in anticipation of the Senate’s approval of the U.S.-India nuclear deal:

“It is a sad day for U.S. national security when the Senate passes a sweeping exemption to our nonproliferation laws that will allow India to increase its annual bomb-production capacity from 7 to over 40 bombs a year.”

“Granting India a special exemption from international and U.S. nuclear nonproliferation laws and guidelines sends the wrong signal at a time when the world is trying to prevent Iran from getting the bomb.  If the U.S. sends India nuclear materials or technology we will be setting a precedent that other nations can invoke when they seek nuclear cooperation with countries that also refuse to abide by nonproliferation rules.”