[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 162 (2016), Part 7]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 9855]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                            U.K. REFERENDUM

                                  _____
                                 

                          HON. GEORGE HOLDING

                           of north carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 22, 2016

  Mr. HOLDING. Mr. Speaker, tomorrow, the British people will vote in a 
historic referendum on the question of their continued Membership in 
the European Union.
  Their ultimate decision on whether to remain, or to leave, will--
without question--have implications on not only their future, but also 
on the future of the European Union.
  Mr. Speaker, there has naturally been a tremendous amount of debate 
on both the likely final vote tally and on the precise outcomes of any 
given result.
  And as we have observed this debate, witnessed domestic and 
international financial markets respond to swings in polling data, and 
listened to endless speculation by the pundits, there should be one 
thing that is absolutely certain--with no room for debate or 
speculation.
  That, regardless of the outcome of the referendum, is the commitment 
on the part of the United States to stand--unequivocally--with our 
trusted ally the United Kingdom.
  However Mr. Speaker, leading up to the vote tomorrow, the Obama 
administration has certainly been keen to express their preferred 
outcome, and justifications for this position.
  And quite publicly.
  It has even been suggested that the United States would not be in the 
market for a bilateral Free Trade Agreement with an independent United 
Kingdom.
  Thus placing the Special Relationship at quote ``the back of the 
queue''.
  This type of rhetoric and effort to tilt the scales has been 
particularly troubling.
  Fortunately Mr. Speaker, I do not believe that this, and other such 
statements, reflect the prevailing belief in Congress that the United 
States would abandon our ally--let alone seek to actively penalize the 
United Kingdom for any decision made by their citizens.
  Our relationship with the United Kingdom will remain strong.
  The Special Relationship enjoyed by the United States and the United 
Kingdom has long advanced our shared values and forged a unique and 
unbreakable bond between our peoples.
  Our relationship with the United Kingdom has weathered all storms and 
stood up to the countless challenges placed before it.
  It is a central factor in the foreign, security, economic, and 
trading policies of our nation.
  It has advanced prosperity and defended the security of our nation 
and the free world.
  Simply put, the United States is stronger because of the Special 
Relationship.
  Regardless of the vote tomorrow, the United States will stand 
shoulder to shoulder with the United Kingdom.
  We will not abandon our shared commitment to freedom, security, 
democracy, human rights, and a strong and enduring transatlantic 
relationship.

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