Post-Brexit: Does the U.S. Need to Reaffirm Its Special Relationship With Great Britain? (H. Res. 817)

What is H. Res. 817?

(Updated May 31, 2018)

This resolution would express Congress’s continued support for the Special Relationship between the U.S. and the United Kingdom and call for the development of a free trade agreement between the two nations following Britain’s vote to exit the European Union.

The resolution would express respect for the result of the “Brexit” vote in June 2016, and recognize that it won’t diminish the bond between the governments and people of the U.S. and U.K. The U.S. Trade Representative would be instructed to begin negotiations with the U.K. for a new U.S.-United Kingdom North Atlantic Trade and Investment Partnership.

As a simple resolution, this bill wouldn’t advance to the Senate if passed by the House and wouldn’t have the force of law.

Argument in favor

Great Britain is one of America’s oldest allies, and in the wake of the British people’s decision to leave the European Union it would be wise for Congress to reaffirm the Special Relationship between the two countries and call for negotiations over a trade agreement.

Argument opposed

The U.S. and Great Britain will always have a Special Relationship, Congress doesn’t need to reaffirm that. Calling for negotiations over a trade deal between the two countries may be premature at this stage, and besides, this resolution isn’t even binding.

Impact

Congress; the U.S. Trade Representative; and the people and governments of the U.S. and United Kingdom.

Cost of H. Res. 817

A CBO cost estimate is unavailable.

Additional Info

In-Depth: Sponsoring Rep. Charlie Dent (R-PA) introduced this bill to reaffirm the Special Relationship between the U.S. and Great Britain following the Brexit vote and call on the Obama administration to start negotiations over a trade agreement:

“The Brexit referendum, for better or for worse, is behind us. Now, in the wake of Brexit, we must do whatever we can to preserve and enhance the special economic relationship shared by the U.S. and the U.K. The best way we can do this is to immediately begin negotiations for a bilateral trade agreement. The resolution I am introducing today would send a clear message to the world that the unwavering support of the American people for the U.K. remains unchanged.”

This legislation has the support of 25 cosponsors in the House, all of whom are Republicans.

Media:

• Sponsoring Rep. Charlie Dent (R-PA) Press Release
  
• South Wales Evening Post