2017 British American Parliamentary Group (BAPG) – A Project for the United Kingdom

The 2017 iteration of the British American Parliamentary Group (BAPG) welcomed four Conservative Party Members of Parliament (MP), three Labour Party MP's, and one Scottish National Party MP to the U.S. for an engaging professional exchange program and individual constituency visits with the following Congressional members:

• Representative Jeff Fortenberry (Republican - Nebraska, 1st District);
• Representative French Hill (Republican - Arkansas, 2nd District);
• Representative Tony Cárdenas (Democrat - California, 29th District);
• Representative Charlie Crist (Democrat - Florida, 13th District);
• Representative Paul Tonko (Democrat - New York, 20th District);
• Representative Danny Davis (Democrat - Illinois, 7th District);
• Representative Robert Aderholt (Republican - Alabama, 4th District); and
• Representative Tom O'Halleran (Democrat - Arizona, 1st District).

The MP's began their program with a week in Washington during which they learned about the U.S. federalist system of government, discussed issues of mutual interest with representatives from the State Department, and heard former Congressman Cliff Stearns (Republican - Florida, 6th District) speak about his experiences in Congress and his work with APCO Worldwide at a federally sponsored lunch. They finished the same day with a discussion with a staff member from the U.S. Senate Committee on Foreign Relations.

On the following day, the MP's met with the Right Honerable Dr. Liam Fox, current Chargé d’Affaires at the British Embassy, to discuss UK trade relations with the 435 Congressional Districts of the U.S; afterwards, they spoke to Department of Defense officials about issues facing both nations. In the afternoon, representatives from both Uber and Google sponsored a lunch in the MP's honor at Meridian with the additional intent of discussing technology's role in the future of mobility and countering terrorism. A meeting with the Government Accountability Office, and another with the Congressional Budget Office, closed out the day.

On Wednesday and Thursday, appointments were set for the MP's to meet with and shadow Congressional members. Participating members included Sen. John Boozman (Republican - Arkansas), Rep. Chris Stewart (Republican - Utah, 2nd District), and Rep. Joe Wilson (Republican - South Carolina, 2nd District). With the aid of Sen. Boozman, several MP's were also able to sit in on a session in the Senate, where they witnessed the Senate voting on healthcare. Their evening on Thursday concluded with a special "night tour" of the U.S. Capitol Building with Rep. Juan Vargas (Democrat - California, 51st District).

After a self-guided tour of the White House where they were joined by Rep. Aderholt Friday morning, the MP's departed Washington and traveled to their respective Congressional hosts' districts, which included Albany, New York; St. Petersburg, Florida; Lincoln, Nebraska; Little Rock, Arkansas; Chicago, Illinois; Panorama City, California; Huntsville, Alabama; and Sedona, Arizona. The constituency visits allowed them to gain first-hand knowledge of the diversity of the U.S. and see U.S. politics enacted at the local level. Activities of note included hiking up Pinnacle Mountain in Little Rock, attending a mayoral campaign fundraiser in St. Petersburg, witnessing a Civil Air Patrol graduation ceremony in Albany, and touring the U.S. Space and Rocket Center in Huntsville.

Following a weekend of activities with their congressional counterparts, the MP's regrouped for their final stop in Boston, MA. Professional appointments were confirmed with Massachusetts Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito, staff from the Taubman Center for State and Local Governance, and a representative from Sen. Elizabeth Warren's (Democrat - Massachusetts) office. Their program came to a conclusion shortly after with flights scheduled to depart on Tuesday evening.

Witnessing a District Visit in Action

Over the span of MP Rehman Chishti's visit to Congressman French Hill's District in Arkansas, a Department of State Social Media Manager and a Videographer captured several conversations between the two as they travelled together.

BAPG on the Hill

MP’s Tommy Sheppard and Suela Fernandes examining Congressman Dent’s District in PA (15)

State Department Program Officer Hrag Varjabedian and MP David Morris

MP’s take a group photo with Senator Boozman (R – AR) right before a big vote

Congressman Robert Aderholt (R – Al, 4) taking a photo with MP David Morris

MP Suella Fernandes with Congressman Charlie Dent (R – PA, 15)

Congressman Derek Kilmer (D – WA, 6) talks directly to MP Tommy Sheppard

MP David Morris following a meeting with Congressman Robert Aderholt (R – AL, 4)

MP Kerry McCarthy delivering opening remarks on behalf of the members of the Labour party

MP Rehman Chishti delivering opening remarks on behalf of the Conservatives in the room

MP’s David Morris and Holly Lynch take a photo with Congressman Tom Cole (R – OK, 4)

Congressman Robert Aderholt (R – AL, 4) delivering opening remarks at the morning Congressional reception

MP’s meet with Congressman Charlie Dent (R – PA, 15)

MP’s Tommy Sheppard, Holly Lynch, Suella Fernandes, David Morris, and Kerry McCarthy meet with Congressman Derek Kilmer (D – WA, 6)

Congressman Gerry Connolly (D – VA, 11) and MP David Morris

2017 MP’s Kerry McCarthy, Tommy Sheppard, and Suela Fernandes meeting with Congressman Charlie Dent (R – PA, 15)

MP Gerald Jones with Congressman Chris Stewart (R – UT, 2)

MP David Morris meets with Congressman Steve Womack (R – AR, 3)

MP David Morris in Congressman Aderholt’s Office

MP’s learning about the Congressional Research Service

MP’s meet with Congressman Steve Womack (R – AR, 3)

MP Kerry McCarthy talking directly to Senator John Boozman (R – AR)

MP Rehman Chishti speaking with Congressman Chris Stewart (R – UT, 2)

2017 MP’s Suella Fernandes and Tommy Sheppard meeting with Congressman Charlie Dent (R – PA, 15)

MP’s Tommy Sheppard, Michelle Donelan, and David Morris with Congressman Steve Womack

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