June 10

The two Kansas senators successfully attached an amendment Wednesday to the Defense Department appropriations bill that eases sanctions on India and Pakistan. The full Senate approved the appropriations measure. The amendment suspends economic sanctions for the two countries for five years.

It does not repeal the U.S. prohibition on military sales and missile and nuclear technology sales but gives the President "better tools" to deal with any military buildup in either country, say Sens. Pat Roberts (R) and Sam Brownback (R).

The administration now has authority to waive for one year some of the economic sanctions on India and Pakistan. That waiver expires in October. "This legislation is critical if we are to continue building trade in this region," said Roberts. "It is apparent that unilateral sanctions have not worked. Our legislation provides a better way of dealing with these two important nations."