Legislation seeks to offer NATO support

Reps. Adam Kinzinger (R-IL) and Jimmy Panetta (D-CA) recently joined their colleagues in introducing a measure designed to emphasize Congressional support for the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).

The legislators said the NATO Support Act backs the world’s longest-standing military alliance by rejecting any efforts by the President to withdraw from the organization while also sustaining NATO member efforts to spend at least 2 percent of their gross domestic product on defense and promote funding for the European Deterrence Initiative to counter Russian aggression.

“Protecting the democracies of NATO, like protecting our own elections, is extremely essential to our national security and our global standing around the world,” Kinzinger said. “The NATO Support Act reaffirms our mission and commitment to this valuable partnership, and helps the U.S. and our allies push back against Russian aggression and provocations.”

Panetta said the NATO alliance is a pillar of international peace, stability, and security.

“We must promote our shared values of freedom, equality, and empowerment by continuing to invest in the institutions, programs and people that enhance our national security,” Panetta said, adding NATO serves as a deterrent against aggression and destabilization.

The legislation was co-sponsored by Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Eliot Engel (D-NY), as well as Reps. Tom Malinowski (D-NJ), Don Bacon (R-NE), Seth Moulton (D-MA), Will Hurd (R-TX), Abigail Spanberger (D-VA), Fred Upton (R-MI), Chrissy Houlahan (D-PA) and Mike Gallagher (R-WI).