House

Dems ask Ryan to invite Australian leader to address Congress

by Nikita Vladimirov - 02/11/17 6:06 PM ET

A pair of Democrats on Saturday called on Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) to invite Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull to address Congress.

Rep. Adam Smith (Wash.) and Rep. Eliot Engel (N.Y.), the top Democrats on the House Armed Services and House Foreign Affairs committees, respectively, said the speech would be meant to “reinforce our longstanding, close relationship.”

“An address by one of our closest partners in the Asia-Pacific would also strengthen Congress’s understanding of the challenges our nations face together in containing China, defeating terrorism, and promoting the rule of law, free expression and free markets,” the lawmakers wrote in a letter, first reported by the Washington Examiner.

{mosads}The letter comes in the wake of reports that President Trump had a combative phone call with Turnbull last week, in which he blasted the Obama-era refugee resettlement agreement between the two countries.

Several GOP lawmakers reached out to Australia’s diplomat to voice support for the U.S. ally while Ryan reaffirmed support for Australia as a “central ally” in the wake of Trump’s call.

Smith and Engel quoted Ryan’s praise of Australia, stating that Turnbull’s visit should be “very well received.”

“Last week, you stated that ‘Australia is a very important and central ally, and it’s going to continue to be.’ In September, you noted that ‘The alliance we’ve built with Australia over the past seven decades is stronger than ever,'” the lawmakers wrote.

“These are statements with which every Member of the House can agree, and an invitation to the Prime Minister, in consultation with the executive branch, to visit and address Congress would be very well received,” they added.

Tags Adam Smith Government of Australia Paul Ryan