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Friday, January 10, 2025

Romney Joins Colleagues in Requesting Speaker Johnson Invite Japanese Prime Minister to Give Joint Address to Congress

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Sen. Mitt Romney, U.S. Senator for Utah | Official U.S. Senate headshot

Sen. Mitt Romney, U.S. Senator for Utah | Official U.S. Senate headshot

U.S. Senator Mitt Romney (R-UT) has joined 28 of his colleagues in sending a letter to House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA), urging him to invite Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida to address a Joint Session of Congress during his Official Visit to the United States in April 2024. The letter was led by Senators Bill Hagerty (R-TN) and Mazie Hirono (D-HI).

The senators emphasized the significance of the U.S.-Japan relationship and the need to strengthen it further. They highlighted the important milestones in the partnership, such as the 64th anniversary of the U.S.-Japan Security Treaty and the 5th anniversary of the U.S.-Japan Trade Agreement and U.S.-Japan Digital Trade Agreement.

Inviting Prime Minister Kishida to address Congress would not only be a symbolic gesture but also a demonstration of the unwavering commitment of the United States to the alliance and to a Free and Open Indo-Pacific. The senators stressed that the U.S.-Japan Alliance is crucial for stability and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region.

The senators also underscored the economic ties between the two countries. They mentioned that Japan is the fifth-largest goods trading partner with the United States and that Japanese firms are the second-largest source of foreign direct investment in the country. The senators emphasized the significance of Japan as a vibrant democracy with strong people-to-people ties with the United States.

The letter highlighted the important role of the U.S.-Japan Alliance in addressing regional challenges, including North Korean nuclear and missile threats and the Chinese military's aggressive actions in the Taiwan Strait, South China Sea, and elsewhere. The senators noted that the alliance has stood up to these critical challenges in recent years.

The senators concluded the letter by stating that a strong U.S.-Japan Alliance is more important than ever. Inviting Prime Minister Kishida to address a Joint Session of Congress would further enhance the bilateral diplomatic ties and highlight the shared strategic interests and values between the two nations.

The signatories of the letter include Senators Dan Sullivan (R-AK), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), John Barrasso (R-WY), Brian Schatz (D-HI), Michael Bennet (D-CO), Mike Crapo (R-ID), Angus King (I-ME), John Cornyn (R-TX), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Todd Young (R-IN), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Jim Risch (R-ID), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Steve Daines (R-MT), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Thom Tillis (R-NC), Ted Cruz (R-TX), and Lindsey Graham (R-SC).

The senators expressed their gratitude to Speaker Johnson for considering the importance of this matter.

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