1、 https:/crsreports.congress.gov Updated May 26, 2021The European Parliament and U.S. InterestsA Key EU Institution The European Parliament (EP) is the only directly elected institution of the 27-country European Union (EU). The EPs 705 members represent the EUs roughly 445 million citizens. The most
2、 recent EP elections were in May 2019. The EP has accumulated more power over time as part of EU efforts to improve democratic accountability and transparency in EU policymaking. Enhanced powers since the 2009 Lisbon Treaty have made the EP a more important actor on several issues of U.S. concern, i
3、ncluding trade, data privacy, and counterterrorism. Congress-EP ties are long-standing, and Congress may be interested in EP activities given the EPs potential to influence key aspects of U.S.-EU relations. Role and Responsibilities The EP plays a role in the EUs legislative and budget processes and
4、 has a degree of oversight responsibility. The EP works closely with the two other main EU institutions: the European Commission, which represents the interests of the EU as a whole and functions as the EUs executive, and the Council of the European Union (or the Council of Ministers), which represe
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