'N-deal to be taken up in Senate next week'

With the US House of Representatives set to consider the Indo-US nuclear deal, Senate Majority leader Harry Reid on Friday indicated that the legislation on the subject in his chamber will be taken up and passed only next week.

"It appears quite evident that we are going to be in session next week. There are a lot of things that haven't been done and I will mention just a couple of them," Senator Reid said.

In his opening remarks at the Senate, he said, "We have a DOD (Department of Defence) authorization which is very important, rail safety, Amtrak, the finalization of the financial crisis legislation."

"We have the Indian Nuclear Agreement. I had a number of conversations with Secretary (of State Condoleezza Rice) and President (George W) Bush on this issue," the top Democrat in the Senate said.

"We have a number of other bills... that we have to find cloture, before we leave here," the Senate Majority leader said.

Reid also indicated that the only recorded vote that is going to come today is on the Continuing Resolution which has already cleared the House of Representatives.

The US-India civilian nuclear agreement upon clearing the House after debate and carried with a two thirds majority will go to the Senate.