Over a dozen U.S. lawmakers attended a reception at the United Kingdom ambassador's residence, hosted by Prime Minister Keir Starmer as part of his visit to Washington D.C. to meet with President Donald Trump.
The reception honored Peter Mandelson, the new British ambassador to the United States. Starmer addressed the crowd saying he could feel a "buzz" around town given the arrival of a new leader who many loved and many loved to hate. "But to us, he's just Peter," he joked, according to Politico.
The outlet listed all lawmakers who joined other top Trump administration officials and foreign ambassadors at the event. They are:
Sen. Roger Wicker (R-Miss.)
Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.)
Sen. Jim Risch (R-Idaho)
Sen. Chris Coons (D-Del.)
Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.)
Rep. Gabe Amo (D-R.I.),
Rep. Ami Bera (D-Calif.)
Rep. Jim Himes (D-Conn.)
Rep. Gregory Meeks (D-N.Y.)
Rep.Doris Matsui (D-Calif.)
Rep. Derek Kilmer (D-Wash.)
Rep. Sara Jacobs (D-Calif.)
Rep. Jonathan Jackson (D-Ill.)
Rep. Virginia Foxx (R-N.C.),
Starmer's visit will focus on defense, especially as Trump seeks to move forward to a ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine. According to NPR, he hopes that an announcement of a sharp increase in defense spending before his visit will send a message to Washington. Concretely, he said that the country would increase spending to 2.5% of economic output by 2027, the largest sustained increase since the end of the Cold War. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth celebrated the announcement, calling it a "strong step from an enduring partner."
Starmer will also likely seek for the UK to be exempted from blanket tariffs Trump has imposed on steel and aluminum imports, as well as influence against taking over Gaza.
© 2025 Latin Times. All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
