Two members of the U.S. House of Representatives recently created a Parliamentary Friendship Group known as "Argentina Caucus", which is similar to the group that currently exists within the Argentine House of Deputies.
The initiative was formally introduced by Homeland Security Committee Chairman Michael McCaul (a Representative for Texas and member of the Republican Party) and the Ranking Member of the Foreign Affairs Committee, Eliot Engel (a Representative for New York and member of the Democratic Party), both of whom will co-chair the "Argentina Caucus." The two congressmen have invited the other U.S. Representatives to become members of the Caucus.
In their letter requesting cosponsors, the Representatives underscored that the United States and Argentina are "natural partners" and that they both have "highly educated populations, diverse economies and vast natural resources."
They also highlighted that, under the leadership of President Mauricio Macri, "Argentina has undertaken economic reforms while renewing its leadership role in the region" and demonstrated its "commitment to enhancing relations with the United States in areas critical to the national security of both countries." Furthermore, they underscored that Argentina has played a crucial role in bringing attention to the crisis in Venezuela at the Organization of American States (OAS).
Upon requesting their colleagues at the House of Representatives to join the initiative, they remarked that "the U.S. must work collaboratively with the Argentine government to capitalize on current opportunities and to address the challenges ahead." In that vein, they stated that the "Argentina Caucus" will serve as a "platform for engagement", with the aim of bringing together policymakers with an interest in enhancing the bilateral relationship, holding briefings and meetings to help inform members and congressional staff of developments in Argentina, and promoting policy ideas on how to strengthen bilateral cooperation.
The creation of a friendship group with Argentina at the U.S. House of Representatives marks a new step in reaffirming the bilateral relationship and serves as a valuable platform for engagement, especially between Argentine and American lawmakers.
Press release No. 453/17
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