Florida’s two Republicans in the U.S. Senate–Marco Rubio and Rick Scott–joined U.S. Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., and more than 40 GOP colleagues on the Senate in sending a letter to British Prime Minister Boris Johnson pledging their unwavering support for the United Kingdom as it exits the European Union (EU) in the coming months. The letter calls for a new bilateral trade agreement between the United States and the United Kingdom. It also reiterates the importance of U.S.-UK cooperation within the NATO security alliance and the “Five Eyes” intelligence partnership.
The full text of the letter is below.
Dear Mr. Prime Minister,
We write to congratulate you on your election as prime minister. We also want to assure you and the British people of our continued, unwavering support for the special relationship between our two countries as Britain leaves the European Union.
In 2016, the British people voted to leave the European Union. While we don’t necessarily agree among ourselves about that decision, we recognize and respect your nation’s sovereign right to determine its future. It is for your government to decide the terms of a Brexit deal with the EU. In your victory speech last month, you pledged “to get Brexit done on October the 31st,” a date just around the corner. We wouldn’t presume to recommend the right policy, but we will support whatever course Britain takes.
First, if Britain leaves the EU with no deal, we will work with our administration, your government, and our friends in the EU to minimize disruptions in critical matters such as international air travel, financial transactions, and the shipment of medicine, food, and other vital supplies.
Second, irrespective of how Brexit occurs, we recommit to the NATO security alliance and the “Five Eyes” intelligence partnership. We also will advocate for a new bilateral trade agreement, as early as your Brexit terms would allow, that reflects the centuries of open commerce between our nations.
Finally, we pledge our friendship in the future to the United Kingdom. Our soldiers have fought together from the beaches of Normandy to the mountains of Afghanistan. Together, we have toppled tyrants and liberated the oppressed. The shared story of our special relationship is a great one indeed, and we look forward to adding more chapters still.
Congratulations again to you. Your great predecessor once averred that the British people had the heart of a lion, and he “had the luck to be called upon to give the roar” during their finest hour. Best wishes in the days ahead for every success in giving the roar for what we’re confident will be another very fine hour in the long history of your lion-hearted people.
Author
