WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) and Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), respectively the current and former Ranking Members of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on Europe and Regional Security Cooperation, wrote to British Prime Minister Theresa May on Monday expressing concern and disappointment over her decision to meet with Congressional Republicans at the GOP retreat last month, and to decline a similar meeting with Congressional Democrats. In a letter addressed to May, Murphy and Sheanne emphasized that May is the first serving foreign leader to break protocol and speak at a Congressional Republican retreat, and that they hope the British government will choose a more balanced relationship with the United States’ entire elected government, not just one party, going forward.

“We write to express our disappointment that your first official visit to the United States as Prime Minister was partisan in nature. As you know, foreign leaders have historically coordinated with congressional leadership from both political parties when visiting the United States, recognizing that support from both parties is necessary in order to advance shared economic, political, and security interests,” wrote the senators. “…We hope to be able to work together with you in a more constructive manner in the future.”

Full text of the letter is available online and below:

February 6, 2017
Prime Minister Theresa May
10 Downing Street
London SW1A 2AA
United Kingdom

Dear Prime Minister May:

We write to express our disappointment that your first official visit to the United States as Prime Minister was partisan in nature. The relationship between our two countries has long been a cornerstone of U.S. foreign policy, enjoying support from both Republicans and Democrats. You are the first serving foreign leader to speak at a congressional Republican retreat. We believe your decision to do so, and to decline to meet with congressional Democrats in a similar fashion, was a breach of protocol. We hope that in the future your government will choose a more balanced relationship with our entire elected government, not give preference to one party.

As you know, foreign leaders have historically coordinated with congressional leadership from both political parties when visiting the United States, recognizing that support from both parties is necessary in order to advance shared economic, political, and security interests. As friends of the United Kingdom, we are committed to advancing our bilateral relationship. The United Kingdom is one of our largest trading partners and a key ally. We believe a bipartisan spirit is more important than ever to advance our political and economic ties, particularly following the United Kingdom's referendum to leave the EU. It is also necessary to confront the mutual security challenges that our countries face, including cementing the NATO alliance, combating the so-called Islamic State, and countering Russian aggression in Ukraine.

The relationship between the United States and Britain has traditionally enjoyed strong bipartisan support in Congress, and we hope to be able to work together with you in a more constructive manner in the future

Sincerely,

Christopher S. Murphy                
United States Senator   

Jeanne Shaheen                                                      
United States Senator

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