III 

114TH CONGRESS 

2D SESSION S. CON. RES. 47 

Expressing support for fostering closer economic and commercial ties between 

the United States and the United Kingdom following the decision of 

the people of the United Kingdom to withdraw from the European 

Union. 

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES 

JULY 13, 2016 

Mr. HATCH (for himself, Mr. MCCONNELL, Mr. COATS, Mr. CORNYN, Mr. 

THUNE, Mr. ROBERTS, Mr. BLUNT, Mr. ENZI, Mr. SCOTT, and Mr. 

GRASSLEY) submitted the following concurrent resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Finance 

CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 

Expressing support for fostering closer economic and commercial ties between the United States and the United 

Kingdom following the decision of the people of the 

United Kingdom to withdraw from the European Union. 

Whereas the United States and the United Kingdom are allies with a long tradition of working in close cooperation 

to support one another’s mutual interests; 

Whereas the United Kingdom is the world’s fifth largest 

economy and one of the most important trading and economic partners of the United States; 


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•SCON 47 IS 

Whereas expanding United States trade with the United 

Kingdom has the potential to benefit American businesses, farmers, ranchers, workers, and consumers; 

Whereas a strong and economically vibrant United Kingdom 

capable of supporting global economic growth and promoting shared Anglo-American economic principles is in 

the national interest of the United States; 

Whereas the voluntary exchange of goods and services among 

citizens of nations helps provide global economic stability, 

especially in times of economic uncertainty; 

Whereas the United States also continues to support the 

member states of the European Union and seeks the further enhancement of economic and commercial ties between the United States and the European Union, including through the conclusion of a high-standard Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership; and 

Whereas orderly and cooperative negotiations between the 

United Kingdom and the European Union that uphold 

the fundamental bases for trade and investment between 

the United Kingdom and the European Union are in the 

mutual interest of the United States, the United Kingdom, and the member states of the European Union: 

Now, therefore, be it 

1 Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives 

2 concurring), That Congress— 

3 (1) calls upon the President to consult with the 

4 Senate and the House of Representatives to consider 

5 opportunities to promote further economic and com6 mercial activity and cooperation between the United 

7 States and the United Kingdom, including by way of 


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•SCON 47 IS 

1 a trade agreement between the United States and 

2 the United Kingdom; 

3 (2) calls upon the President to invite the 

4 United Kingdom to begin discussions towards estab5 lishing the basis for negotiations for a trade agree6 ment between the United States and the United 

7 Kingdom; 

8 (3) recalls that section 103(d) of the Bipartisan 

9 Congressional Trade Priorities and Accountability 

10 Act of 2015 (19 U.S.C. 4202(d)) directs the Presi11 dent to commence negotiations covering tariff and 

12 nontariff barriers to United States trade where the 

13 President determines that such negotiations are fea14 sible and timely and would benefit the United 

15 States; 

16 (4) recalls further that section 102 of the Bi17 partisan Congressional Trade Priorities and Ac18 countability Act of 2015 (19 U.S.C. 4201) sets forth 

19 the negotiating objectives of the United States, and 

20 that the Senate and the House of Representatives 

21 expect that these congressionally mandated negoti22 ating objectives will be achieved in any United 

23 States trade agreement; 

24 (5) urges the President, throughout discussions 

25 with the United Kingdom and in close consultation 


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•SCON 47 IS 

1 with the Senate and the House of Representatives, 

2 to determine whether negotiation of a trade agree3 ment with the United Kingdom would be likely to 

4 achieve the negotiating objectives established by the 

5 Bipartisan Congressional Trade Priorities and Ac6 countability Act of 2015 and, if such negotiation 

7 would be likely to achieve such objectives, to com8 mence negotiations towards a trade agreement with 

9 the United Kingdom as soon as appropriate; 

10 (6) expresses support for enhanced economic 

11 and commercial ties between the United States and 

12 the European Union, including through the conclu13 sion of a high-standard Transatlantic Trade and In14 vestment Partnership; 

15 (7) notes that the continued movement of 

16 goods, services, and capital between the United 

17 Kingdom and the European Union is important to 

18 American businesses invested in Europe and the 

19 United States economy generally; and 

20 (8) calls upon the European Union and the 

21 United Kingdom to work constructively to achieve a 

22 climate for trade and investment that is mutually 

23 beneficial and productive. 

Æ 


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