Washington—Today, the United States House of Representatives passed a resolution introduced by Congressman Tom Suozzi (D–NY-03) and Congressman Peter King (R–NY-02), which calls on the United Kingdom and European Union to protect lasting peace in Northern Ireland during Brexit negotiations. Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Eliot L. Engel (D–NY-16) cosponsored the resolution and advanced the measure to pass the House.

The resolution, which passed unanimously, calls on the United Kingdom and European Union to make sure that any Brexit deal includes protections for the Good Friday Agreement and the future of Ireland.

“Ireland is one of the oldest and closest friends of the United States, and the Irish people have been a crucial part of the fabric of our nation for well over a century. The United States played an important role in the signing of the Good Friday Agreement, a momentous achievement that has been largely responsible for the relative peace over the last two decades. Unfortunately, recent events including Brexit have created uncertainty and put the agreement at risk,” said Suozzi. “I am pleased that in negotiations so far, all parties have agreed that a hard border is an unacceptable outcome and urge the continued adherence to this position. I thank my colleague Peter King, as well as Chairman Eliot Engel, for supporting this bipartisan effort, something that is increasingly rare in our partisan and divided government here in the United States.”

“It is imperative that the United States do all that it can to not only support the Good Friday Agreement but prevent any return of a hard border,” said King.

“A bad Brexit deal could threaten the continued prosperity and security of Ireland and the Irish people,” said Chairman Engel. “This measure makes it clear where Congress stands: any Brexit deal must protect the Good Friday Agreement and all its components. We must ensure that nothing compromises the peace, security, and economic prosperity across Ireland.”

The resolution specifically:

• Urges the United Kingdom and European Union to ensure that Brexit does not threaten implementation of the Good Friday Agreement or peace on the island of Ireland

• Strongly opposes the reintroduction of a hard border between the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland

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