Press Releases

the New Year Day week, Congressman Brad Wenstrup traveled with colleagues on the House and Senate Intelligence committees, including Senators Tom Cotton (R-AR) and Ben Sasse (R-NE), to Thailand and Burma as part of continuing discussions on security cooperation and regional stability.

“Sitting down with the leaders of our allies is critical to building a working knowledge of the aspirations and challenges our allies face,” Wenstrup remarked upon his return. “The stability and strength of Southeast Asia are geopolitically important to counter China’s aggressive expansion in the region. American leadership, through working with and supporting regional allies, is crucial in this area of the world.”

Both Thailand, a centuries old ally, and Burma, a more recent partner, are working to advance democratic efforts within their countries. The Congressional delegation congratulated Burma on recent constitutional democratic reforms and urged Thailand to uphold new elections.

“Strong U.S. relationships in Asia are vital to ensuring the security and prosperity of all Americans,” said Senator Tom Cotton, who led the trip.  “Throughout the past week, my colleagues and I had the opportunity to meet with government officials and local business leaders to better understand our current relationships with Thailand and Burma and to identify ways to strengthen them. We gained invaluable, first-hand knowledge of these two countries and look forward to working with them in the future.” 

The delegation stopped over at Yokota Air Base in Japan, sitting down with the U.S. military leadership for an update and thanking the troops stationed abroad.

###
Office of Representative Brad Wenstrup
www.Wenstrup.House.gov