Although Brown, D-Ohio, said he respected the decision by the voters, his statement reflected the cautious reaction by Ohio lawmakers to the vote which jolted Western Europe and triggered a sharp decline in stocks on Wall Street and across the world.
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Their reaction also suggested some worries among American policy makers that the vote could raise doubts about the future of the NATO alliance.
“We will always have a special relationship with the United Kingdom,” said Sen. Rob Portman, R-Ohio. “That won’t change because of” the vote, adding “for the sake of continued stability and security, American leadership is needed now more than ever before.”
Gov. John Kasich said “the ties that bind America and the U.K. are strong ones that go back centuries and are rooted in our common ancestry and values. At this decisive moment in the U.K.’s modern history the U.S. must make it clear - unequivocally - that we can be counted on to stand with and support our closest allies.”
Rep. Mike Turner, R-Dayton, who is president of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly, said it was the “sovereign right” of the British voters to leave the European Union, but said “the decision will not affect the United Kingdom’s pivotal role in NATO.”
Rep. Steve Chabot, R-Cincinnati, called the UK one of “our strongest allies.”
“Whether or not the U.K. is part of the European Union does nothing to weaken that relationship. Moving forward, I think we can expect the U.K. to continue to be a steadfast and reliable partner, both in Europe and around the globe.”
Staff writer Jack Torry contributed to this report.
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