Prime Minister Tony Abbott has met key figures of the Democratic and Republican parties as well as national security officials on his first day in Washington DC.
Mr Abbott's visit came on a chaotic day in the US capital as the Republican Party dealt with the fallout from Eric Cantor's loss of preselection in Virginia and his stepping down as House majority leader - the second most powerful position in his party.
Mr Cantor will relinquish his position on July 31 after losing a primary to professor and political novice Dave Brat, who was endorsed by Tea Party figures and ran a strong grassroots campaign.
Mr Abbott held four meetings, the first of which was with House Speaker John Boehner.
The pair spoke about the Trans-Pacific Partnership agreement - a 12-nation negotiation for an Asia-Pacific free-trade zone - which Mr Boehner said had bipartisan support in the US.
The second meeting involved the Democratic Party leadership, including House minority leader Nancy Pelosi.
Ms Pelosi was interested in tensions in the South China Sea and the prime minister's perspective on China, Japan and Indonesia.
The prime minister told the meeting Australia welcomed the rise of China, which was positive for the region, but emphasised that any disputes should be resolved peacefully and by international law.
The Democrats also welcomed a change of language on East Jerusalem from "occupied" to "disputed" territories.
Foreign relations committee members were keen to ask how Australia reached its free-trade agreement with Japan and how progress was being made on developing liquid natural gas.
A fourth meeting involved about 10 senators from both parties who were interested in China and Australia's intelligence services.
Mr Abbott also attended a function at ambassador Kim Beazley's residence, where he met International Monetary Fund managing director Christine Lagarde.
He also met US National Intelligence Director James Clapper and Central Intelligence Agency director John Brennan.
Mr Abbott will meet US President Barack Obama at the White House on Thursday.
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