U.S. Senators Jim Risch, Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and Jeanne Shaheen, Ranking Member, met with United Kingdom Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband in Washington on Aug. 5, according to a statement released by the committee.
“We were pleased to welcome Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband to Washington. The United Kingdom is one of America’s closest allies, and the ties between our two countries remain indispensable to advancing our shared security, prosperity and democratic values. We appreciated the opportunity to discuss the strength of the U.S.-UK relationship and the importance of continued close coordination on the challenges facing the transatlantic community, especially the need to pressure Russia, through coordinated sanctions and other means, to end its war against Ukraine and to prevent Iran from disrupting freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz. We welcome the United Kingdom’s continued support for Ukraine and its intent to increase defense spending to support burden sharing across the Alliance,” Risch and Shaheen said.
The Senate Foreign Relations Committee is responsible for developing and influencing U.S. foreign policy through examining treaties and legislation; it operates as a legislative body focused on international relations within government functions. The committee designates its Chairman as leader of majority members while its Ranking Member heads minority members, according to its official website.
Established in 1816 as one of the original standing committees of the Senate, it has played pivotal roles such as rejecting the Treaty of Versailles in 1919-1920 and supporting major measures like the Truman Doctrine in 1947 and Marshall Plan in 1948.
The meeting comes amid ongoing concerns over Russia’s actions in Ukraine and security issues related to Iran’s activities near key maritime routes.