'Republican lawmakers will work to clear the US-India nuke deal'

Republican lawmakers in the United States will work with members across the aisle so that the US-India civilian nuclear legislation can be completed prior to formal adjournment of the 109th Congress, Senate Majority leader Bill Frist on Monday said.

Frist issued a brief statement soon after the Conferees of the Senate to participate in the House-Senate Conference Committee were named earlier in the day.

"Today Senate conferees were named for the US-India Civil Nuclear Cooperation bill. Work will begin immediately with the intention of completing all action by week's end. Together with Senators Allen, Hagel and Lugar, we will work across the aisle with Senators Biden and Dodd to ensure that goal is met," he said.

The majority leader has made it known that he would like to wind up legislative business by December 8 with the House of Representatives also expected to break off by the end of the working week or on December 7.