Convening
2015 British American Parliamentary Group (BAPG) – A Project for the United Kingdom
Rep. Rodney Davis (Republican - Illinois, 13th District) meeting with MP Alan Mak for the first time before weekend district shadowing The 2015 iteration of the British American Parliamentary Group ( BAPG ) welcomed four Conservative Party Members of Parliament (MP) and four Labour Party MP's to the U.S. for an engaging professional exchange program and individual constituency visits with the following Congressional members: Representative Robert Aderholt (Republican - Alabama, 4th District); R epresentative Ander Crenshaw (Republican - Florida, 4th District); Representative Paul Gosar (Republican - Arizona, 4th District); Representative Steve Russell (Republican - Oklahoma, 5th District); Representative Rodney Davis (Republican - Illinois, 13th District); and Representative Adam Schiff (Democrat - California, 28th District).
Their program began with a week in Washington during which the MP's learned about the U.S. federalist system of government, discussed issues of mutual interest with the Department of Defense, and spoke about the relationship between the U.S. and the U.K. with Department of State officials. British Ambassador to the U.S. Peter Westmacott then hosted the MP's for a brief meeting at his residence before they headed to a State Department sponsored lunch, where they heard former Congressman Cliff Stearns (Republican - Florida, 6th District) speak about his experiences in Congress and his work with APCO Worldwide .
Next the group met with officials from the Government Accountability Office, Congressional Budget Office, and the Congressional Research Service before shadowing congressional members on Capitol Hill. Representatives that took part in the day's appointments included Congressman Henry Cuellar (Democrat - Texas, 28th District); Congresswoman Robin Kelly (Democrat - Illinois, 2nd District); and Congresswoman Ann Wagner (Republican - Missouri, 2nd District).
After a self-guided tour of the White House, the MP's traveled to their respective Congressional hosts' districts, which included Phoenix, AZ; Jacksonville, FL; Oklahoma City, OK; Champaign, IL; Burbank, CA; and Huntsville, AL. The constituency visits allowed them to gain first-hand knowledge of the breadth and diversity of the U.S., and to see U.S. politics enacted at the local level. Following a weekend of activities, the MP's regrouped for their final stop in Boston, MA.
Professional appointments were confirmed with President of the Massachusetts State Senate Stan Rosenber g, T aubman Center for State and Local Governance Director Dr. Jeffrey Liebman , and a representative from Sen. Elizabeth Warren's (Democrat - Massachusetts) office. The program came to a conclusion Tuesday evening. Group photo with Rep. Joe Courtney (D-CT, 2) MP Andrea Jenkyns Speaking to former Congressman Cliff Stearns (R-FL, 6) A warm “thank you” after a productive meeting w/ Rep.
Keith Ellison (D-MN, 5) MPs Andrea Jenkyns, Christina Rees, and Susan Jones take a group photo Rep. John Yarmuth (D-KY, 3) looking at the ACA’s impact on Kentucky with MPs Rep. John Yarmuth (D-KY, 3) looking at the ACA’s impact on Kentucky with MP Christina Rees Rep. Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR, 1) speaks with group MP’s representing the great country of Wales Former Rep. Reid Ribble (R-WI, 8) with MP James Heappey 2015 BAPG MP’s take a group photo with Congressman Ed Royce (Republican – California, 39th District) Rep.
Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR, 1) speaks with group MP’s Andrea Jeynkyns and Alan Mak meeting with Rep. Bob Latta (R-OH, 5) Program Opening and Federalism Briefing with Dr. Jeremy Mayer In a meeting with Rep. Joe Courtney (D-CT, 2) 2015 BAPG Participants take a group photo with Congressman Joe Wilson (R-SC, 2) Sponsors Project summary 2015 British American Parliamentary Group (BAPG) – A Project for the United Kingdom | July 2015 Number of Visitors: 8 Regions: Europe and Eurasia Countries: United Kingdom Impact Areas: Governance and Transparency Program Areas: Global Leadership Partners: NGOs , Private Sector , Public Sector .