[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 109 (Thursday, July 7, 2016)]
[Senate]
[Page S4918]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         SUBMITTED RESOLUTIONS

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  SENATE RESOLUTION 520--REAFFIRMING THE STRONG RELATIONSHIP, BOTH IN 
  DEFENSE AND TRADE, BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES AND THE UNITED KINGDOM

  Mr. RUBIO (for himself, Mr. Johnson, and Mr. McConnell) submitted the 
following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign 
Relations:

                              S. Res. 520

       Whereas the United States and the United Kingdom have a 
     special relationship grounded in the rule of law, democratic 
     principles, a common language, and a strong commitment to 
     peace and security;
       Whereas, on August 14, 1941, President Franklin Roosevelt 
     and Prime Minister Winston Churchill issued the Atlantic 
     Charter, which defined American and British war aims and laid 
     the foundation for a post-war international system founded on 
     free trade and freedom of the seas that persists to this day;
       Whereas, on March 5, 1946, Winston Churchill delivered his 
     ``Iron Curtain Speech'' in Fulton, Missouri, stating, 
     ``Neither the sure prevention of war, nor the continuous rise 
     of world organization will be gained without what I have 
     called the fraternal association of the English-speaking 
     peoples . . . a special relationship between the British 
     Commonwealth and Empire and the United States'';
       Whereas the United States and United Kingdom have stood 
     side by side through two World Wars, the Korean War, the Cold 
     War, the Gulf War, and the Global War on Terror with 
     Americans and Britons fighting and dying together to defend 
     our common interests and principles;
       Whereas the United States and the United Kingdom have 
     played central roles in the North Atlantic Treaty 
     Organization (NATO) and are critical to maintaining its 
     future strength;
       Whereas senior military officers from the United Kingdom 
     have served in advisory or command positions in United States 
     headquarters, including combatant commands such as CENTCOM, 
     and officers from the United States have served in similar 
     roles in the British military;
       Whereas the United States and United Kingdom made immense 
     contributions in personnel and resources to the International 
     Security Assistance Force (ISAF), the NATO-led effort to 
     train the Afghan National Security Forces, and to assist the 
     Afghan people in rebuilding their country;
       Whereas the Defense Trade Cooperation Treaty between the 
     United States and United Kingdom, which was signed in 2007, 
     ratified by the Senate on September 29, 2010, and entered 
     into force in April 2012, introduces greater cooperation and 
     access in order to meet the requirements of mutual defense 
     frameworks;
       Whereas both nations continue a close strategic partnership 
     in developing and maintaining an effective nuclear deterrent, 
     including developing the next-generation of nuclear ballistic 
     missile submarines and the continued deployment and 
     modernization of a submarine-launched ballistic missile;
       Whereas the close and expanding economic ties between the 
     United States and United Kingdom, including the world's 
     largest bilateral foreign direct investment partnership, have 
     greatly contributed to the continued prosperity of both 
     nations; and
       Whereas, on June 23, 2016, the United Kingdom held a 
     European Union membership referendum, and the British people 
     voted to leave the European Union: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) reaffirms that the special relationship between the 
     United States and the United Kingdom will not be affected by 
     the outcome of the June 23, 2016 referendum or by changes to 
     the United Kingdom's relationship with the European Union;
       (2) recognizes that continued defense and intelligence 
     cooperation between the United States and United Kingdom is 
     vital to the national security of both countries;
       (3) supports the continued political and military 
     leadership displayed by both nations in the North Atlantic 
     Treaty Organization (NATO) since it was founded 67 years ago; 
     and
       (4) urges the President to commence discussions with the 
     Government of the United Kingdom, at their request, to ensure 
     the continuance of our current bilateral trade relationship 
     and as necessary, negotiations for the development of a free-
     trade agreement between our two countries.

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