Washington, DC - Congressman Rodney P. Frelinghuysen (NJ) returned to the United States from an official Congressional delegation trip to the Persian Gulf region.  Frelinghuysen, the Chairman of the House Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, traveled with incoming House Armed Services Committee Chairman Mac Thornberry (TX) and incoming Intelligence Committee Chairman Devin Nunes (CA).  The delegation, led by House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy (CA), visited Iraq, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait and Jordan. 

The delegation met with national leaders, including Saudi Crown Prince Salman bin Abdulaziz al Saud, along with many other senior defense officials, as well as U.S. military and State Department officers in these strategically important nations, to assess the vitality of U.S. partnerships in the region.  The purpose of the trip was to examine 1) the counter-ISIL strategy and the evolving military campaign in Iraq, Syria and the surrounding region and 2) Iran and its regional influence and actions.  

“In recent years, the United States has established valuable working partnerships with most nations in the greater Persian Gulf region,” said Frelinghuysen.  “It is in the national security interest of the United States to ensure that these relationships remain active and vibrant.  Our discussions with leaders and defense officials across the region were designed to be very helpful in this regard.”

Frelinghuysen also met with men and women of our Armed Forces, all volunteers, who are serving in the area. He expressed his appreciation for their commitment to defending America’s interests in the region, especially over the holidays when they are away from their families.

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