From June 26-28, 2018, First President of the Austrian National Council Wolfgang Sobotka visited Washington, DC for the #eu2018at kickoff reception and celebration at the Austrian Embassy and for a series of bilateral meetings on Capitol Hill.
The Speaker of the Austrian House of Representatives met his U.S. counterpart Paul Ryan (R-Wisconsin) for in-depth discussions.
During a busy schedule on Capitol Hill, he also held meetings with Senator Tom Udall (D-New Mexico), Senate Co-Chairman of the Helsinki (OSCE) Commission Roger Wicker (R-Mississippi), Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), Congressman Brendan Boyle (D- Pennsylvania), as well as with the Chairman of the House Administration Committee Gregg Harper (R-Mississippi).
Wolfgang Sobotka with Paul Ryan, Speaker of the United States House of Representatives
Meeting Senator Tom Udall from New Mexico
Meeting Senate Co-Chairman of the Helsinki (OSCE) Commission Roger Wicker from Mississippi
With Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee Chuck Grassley from Iowa
Austrian Delegation with Congressman Brendan Boyle from Pennsylvania (second from left)
Talking to Chairman of the House Administration Committee Gregg Harper from Mississippi (second from left)
Given that the Austrian Parliament building is currently closed for renovations, the Austrian delegation heard from the CEO of the U.S. Capitol Visitor Center Beth Plemmons and from Deputy Superintendent Kristy Long how the Capitol Visitor Center remained fully functional during the extended renovation period of the Capitol’s iconic Rotunda. The briefing was followed up by an on-site inspection, complemented by insights into the history, architecture and art of the U.S. Capitol.
The day was kicked off by a breakfast briefing by Mark Strand, President of the Congressional Institute providing insight into the American legislative processes.
With Mark Strand, President of the Congressional Institute
All photos (c) Peter Alunans