As previously reported, U.S. House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Richard Neal is leading a bipartisan congressional delegation to Belgium, the United Kingdom, and Ireland.
The delegation, according to a release from Neal's office, will participate in bilateral meetings and discussions focused on strengthening transatlantic trade relations, deepening U.S.-EU and U.S.-UK strategic partnerships, and underscoring the significance of the Good Friday Agreement.
“The United States has special, enduring bonds with the European Union, the United Kingdom, and Ireland,” Neal said.
“Over the next week, our bipartisan delegation will reaffirm our congressional commitment to these important relationships. We are traveling at an opportune time as we, alongside our allies and partners, seek to recover from the pandemic equitably and inclusively, and as we remain united in our condemnation of Russia’s unconscionable war against Ukraine.
“Our delegation will meet with senior government officials and local leaders at a critical time. We look forward to discussions that build on our shared interests and values.”
The members of the delegation are: Chairman Richard E. Neal (D-MA), Committee on Ways and Means;
Ranking Member Kevin Brady (R-TX), Committee on Ways and Means; Congressman Ron Kind (D-WI), Committee on Ways and Means; Congressman Dan Kildee (D-MI), Committee on Ways and Means, Committee on the Budget; Congressman Vern Buchanan (R-FL), Committee on Ways and Means;
Congressman Mike Kelly (R-PA), Committee on Ways and Means; Congressman Mike Doyle (D-PA), Committee on Energy and Commerce; Congressman David Joyce (R-OH), Committee on Appropriations, Committee on Ethics, and Congresswoman Mary Gay Scanlon (D-PA), Committee on the Judiciary, Committee on Rules.
After the stopover in Brussels Rep. Neal released a statement, this after the conclusion of meetings where the delegation members were hosted by the European Commission and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.
Said Neal: “Our delegation was warmly welcomed to Brussels where we met with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, European Commission Vice-President Maroš Šefčovič, and Executive Vice-President Valdis Dombrovskis.
"As the leaders of the bipartisan, bicameral efforts to hold Russia and Belarus accountable for their unprovoked war on Ukraine, we thanked the EU and NATO for standing shoulder to shoulder with President Biden and the Congress. All parties emphatically agreed that it is our duty to continue to bring all economic and trade tools to bear in stopping this violence.
“With Executive Vice-President Valdis Dombrovskis and Vice-President Maroš Šefčovič, we discussed ongoing work to improve trade relations with the EU and joint efforts to counter the harmful practices of non-market economies. We emphasized the need for meaningful reforms to the World Trade Organization, and committed to supporting EU and UK efforts to find joint solutions to implement the Protocol on Ireland and Northern Ireland and protect the Good Friday Agreement.
“At NATO Headquarters, Secretary General Stoltenberg provided an update on ongoing efforts to aid Ukraine. The delegation discussed the future of the Alliance and how critical continued investments will be to our success.
“We left the meetings grounded in our firm, shared belief that the greatest strength between us is our unity.
“As we travel to London, the delegation will focus on how we can bilaterally advance fair and inclusive trade policies and continue the dialogue on finding durable solutions in the post-Brexit trade environment to promote peace and stability. Our transatlantic partnership has been a beacon for democracy and economic prosperity, and we look forward to deepening our collaboration.”
