The US economic envoy to Northern Ireland has told UTV Sir Reg Empey will be "very welcomed" in Washington for the St Patrick's Day celebrations, despite his opposition to the devolution of policing and justice powers.
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Both US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and former President George Bush contacted the UUP and their political allies in the Conservative Party in the run-up to last week's assembly vote in a bid to have Ulster Unionists vote in favour of the transfer of powers.
Read Ken Reid's blog: America calling
But the UUP leader insisted his party would not bow to blackmail and bullying.
"Sir Reg is well-known to everybody in the US Government and is a friend to the American Government", US envoy Declan Kelly told UTV's Political Editor Ken Reid, as Northern Ireland politicians make their annual pilgrimage to Washington.
"We understand the difficulty of politics in every country, including Northern Ireland. The reality is democracy functions for a reason. People vote whatever way they think is appropriate and so we respect his right to do that", Mr Kelly said.
"When Secretary Clinton (visited Northern Ireland) in October, she made it clear this was a decision for Northern Ireland to make and now Northern Ireland made this decision in due course and democracy functioned the way it should."
Last Friday, Mr Kelly addressed the Northern Ireland Assembly and Business Trust President's Dinner at Parliament Buildings in Stormont.
He said Northern Ireland was well-placed to secure economic, as well as political progress, in the months and years ahead.
"This is the moment for Northern Ireland; we've got to capitalise on it", he told UTV.
First Minister Peter Robinson and deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness, who will meet President Obama on Wednesday, have begun their US visit with a round of meetings with potential investors in Chicago.
"Chicago based companies, including Caterpillar and Allstate, already have a history of investment in Northern Ireland", Mr Robinson said on Monday.
"It is clear from our meetings today that there is considerable potential to build upon that foundation. Over the coming months, Invest Northern Ireland will be working closely with the contacts we have made here."
"This is our first opportunity to brief investors and political leaders here in relation to the Hillsborough Agreement, which will strengthen our institutions and we believe, greatly increase the potential for future investment", Mr McGuinness said.
The Ministers also hosted a business reception attended by over 200 of Chicago's top businessmen and women.
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