This resolution would solidify the United States’ commitment to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), an intergovernmental military alliance focused on preserving transatlantic peace and stability. Founded in April, 1949 following the Second World War, the coalition, born out of the North Atlantic Treaty, pledges mutual self-defense for its member countries which are primarily European and North American democracies.
In addition to demonstrating America’s desire to maintain its longstanding commitment to NATO, this bill officially recognizes the importance of the organization in preserving transatlantic peace and applauds its development of new technologies to combat terrorism and other security threats in a changing global security environment.What is House Bill H. Res. 739?
Impact
Ukraine; Baltic States; Russia; U.S. national security; U.S. military; ISIL; terrorist groups; NATO member-countries; and NATO.
Cost of House Bill H. Res. 739
A CBO cost estimate is unavailable.
More Information
In Depth: President Obama recently voiced his support for the transatlantic coalition at the NATO Summit in Warsaw, Poland in July of this year. With increasing Russian aggression in Ukraine (and aggressive behavior towards other NATO allies), a surge in the number of ISIL-lead terrorist attacks, and an overwhelming population of refugees confronting the economies of various member-countries, Obama assured NATO members that the organization can always count on the U.S.:
“In this challenging moment, I want to take this opportunity to state clearly what will never change—and that is the unwavering commitment of the U.S. to the security and defense of Europe, to our transatlantic relationship, to our commitment to our common defense.”
Sponsoring Rep. John Delaney (D-MD) echoed that sentiment when introducing this legislation, “This resolution sends a clear statement to the world: the American people remain committed to NATO and we will continue to stand with our NATO allies, moreover, NATO cooperation and coordination is essential to counter-terrorism measures and defeating ISIS.” The resolution’s lead cosponsor, Rep. Adam Kinzinger (R-IL), concurred:
“In a time of radical jihadist terrorism around the world, as well as Vladimir Putin’s belligerent Russia, we must remember the importance of America’s role and participation in the NATO.”
While NATO involvement has generally been a point of consensus between Republicans and Democrats, Republican nominee Donald Trump questioned the U.S.’ commitment on Wednesday, July 20 in an interview with The New York Times. He claimed that the U.S. should—and would—only defend the Baltic States against a Russian attack if the given countries “fulfilled their obligation to us,” a comment that sparked fury in both the Democratic and Republican parties. By obligation, Mr. Trump was referring in part to the fact that several NATO countries have neglected to spend the required two percent of their national GDP on their military, leaving the U.S. to carry a greater relative share of the spending burden. A recent resolution introduced in October, 2015 would actually call upon all NATO members to meet or exceed their military spending commitments for this reason.
In response, President Obama’s team has outwardly rejected Trump’s stance. As White House press secretary Josh Earnest explains, “The U.S. commitment to [the NATO] pledge is ironclad.” Obama’s former top national security aide continues:
“I don’t know anyone, anywhere on the political spectrum who would question whether we should uphold Article 5... Whether it’s Bernie Sanders or Ron Paul, no matter how non-interventionist they are, I’ve never heard it.”
Of Note: At the July Warsaw Conference, President Obama agreed to proceed with the largest reinforcement of NATO’s collective defense forces in Europe since the Cold War. The deployment added over 4,000 NATO troops to the Baltic nations on a rotational basis, established a U.S. Armored Brigade to rotate around various European countries, and created new buffers against growing cyber threats. His appearance at the Warsaw Conference was meant to signal that the U.S. would defend member-countries as well as Ukraine against Russian aggression.
In addition to bolstering its defense posture on the alliance’s eastern flank, NATO has implemented a variety of new measures to combat the terrorist group ISIL. With all allies currently contributing to the anti-ISIL campaign, the organization is actively working to improve surveillance, move training of Iraqi security forces from Jordan to Iraq, and maintain U.S. forces in Afghanistan. 39 nations (including the U.S.) have pledged over 12,000 troops for NATO’s defense training.
While several countries, including Poland, Greece, Estonia, and Great Britain are upholding their agreement to contribute two percent of GDP to NATO, the majority of member-countries are failing to abide by their end of the deal, agreed upon at the 2014 NATO Wales Summit. Recently, however, member-countries are investing more in mutual defense.
Official Title
Reaffirming the commitment of the United States to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).
simple resolution Progress
- The house has not voted
- house Committees
Committee on Foreign AffairsEurope, Eurasia, Energy, and the EnvironmentIntroducedMay 18th, 2016
International Trade & Affairs
