Calls on PM by United States Members of Congress, 1 June 2019

 

PM Lee met with a delegation led by Senate Committee on Armed Services (SASC) Subcommittee on Airland Ranking Member Senator Angus King (I-Maine), and Senate Committee on Foreign Relations Subcommittee on East Asia, the Pacific, and International Cybersecurity Policy Chairman Senator Cory Gardner (R-Colorado).  The bipartisan SASC delegation led by Senator King included Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-Illinois) and Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-Tennessee).

PM Lee then met with a delegation led by House Committee on Armed Services (HASC) Chairman Congressman Adam Smith (D-Washington), and Ranking Member Congressman Mac Thornberry (R-Texas). The HASC delegation led by Chairman Smith included Congressman Rick Larsen (D-Washington), Congressman Anthony Brown (D-Maryland), and Congressman Donald Norcross (D-New Jersey).

 

During the respective calls, PM Lee and the Members of Congress affirmed the robust, deep and multifaceted relations between Singapore and the United States.  PM Lee welcomed Congress’ passage of the Asia Reassurance Initiative Act (ARIA) and the Better Utilization of Investments Leading to Development (BUILD) Act, which sends a positive signal of the importance the United States places on its engagement of the region. The Members of Congress expressed appreciation for Singapore’s consistent support for the United States’ presence in the region.  Both sides also exchanged views on recent regional and international developments.

 

Prior to the call on PM Lee, the Members of Congress were also hosted to a joint lunch by Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Vivian Balakrishnan.  Minister Balakrishnan and the Members of Congress discussed ways to further strengthen bilateral relations.  The Members of Congress reaffirmed the United States’ commitment to continue playing a constructive role in promoting peace and stability in the region.

 

The Members of Congress are in Singapore to attend the 2019 Shangri-La Dialogue.  During their visit, the Members of Congress also met with Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen.

 

 

 

 

(L-R): Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-Tennessee); Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-Illinois); Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong; Senator Angus King (I-Maine); Senator Cory Gardner (R-Colorado).

 

[Photo credit: Ministry of Communications and Information]

(L-R): Congressman Anthony Brown (D-Maryland); Congressman Rick Larsen (D-Washington); Congressman Adam Smith (D-Washington); Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong; Congressman Mac Thornberry (R-Texas); Congressman Donald Norcross (D-New Jersey).

 

[Photo credit: Ministry of Communications and Information]