US Congressman Joseph Kennedy of Massachusetts, in a letter to the British Prime Minister Mr Tony Blair, expressed "my disappointment over your government's decision to allow Orange Order marches to parade down Garvaghy Road in Portadown this past Sunday."
Congressman Kennedy said he is particularly concerned about the Orange Order's plans to march down the predominantly Catholic Ormeau Road in Belfast this coming Saturday.
"The already fragile peace process would suffer further blows if marchers are once again allowed through a neighbourhood where residents have clearly stated their opposition to triumphalist displays of Unionism."
Congressman Kennedy said that with a number of his colleagues on Capitol Hill who share his concerns he plans to file a resolution asking the House of Representatives to express opposition to allowing marchers through disputed areas in Northern Ireland.