Expressing support for the NATO alliance and increased alliance cooperation on opportunities and challenges.

IV 117TH CONGRESS 1ST SESSION H. CON. RES. 38 Expressing support for the NATO alliance and increased alliance cooperation on opportunities and challenges. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES JUNE 14, 2021 Mr. PANETTA (for himself, Mr. MEEKS, Mr. CONNOLLY, Mr. DEUTCH, Mr. MOULTON, Mr. BACON, Mr. KINZINGER, Mr. UPTON, Mr. GALLAGHER, and Mr. FITZPATRICK) submitted the following concurrent resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs CONCURRENT RESOLUTION Expressing support for the NATO alliance and increased alliance cooperation on opportunities and challenges. Whereas the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) came into being through the North Atlantic Treaty, which entered into force on April 4, 1949, between the United States of America and the other founding mem- bers of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, and has served as a pillar of international peace and stability, a critical component of United States security, and a deter- rent against adversaries and external threats; Whereas Congress has repeatedly supported and affirmed that— (1) NATO is one of the most successful military alli- ances in history, deterring the outbreak of another world VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:07 Jun 15, 2021 Jkt 019200 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6300 E:\BILLS\HC38.IH HC38 kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS 2 •HCON 38 IH war, protecting the territorial integrity of its members, and seeing the Cold War through to a peaceful conclu- sion; (2) NATO remains the foundation of United States foreign policy to promote a Europe that is whole, free, and at peace; (3) the United States is solemnly committed to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization’s principle of collec- tive defense as enumerated in Article 5 of the North At- lantic Treaty; and (4) each alliance member ought to honor the deci- sion at the NATO Wales Summit in 2014 to spend at least 2 percent of that country’s gross domestic product on defense by 2024; Whereas it is the policy of the United States— (1) to remain a member in good standing of NATO; (2) to continue to work with NATO members to meet their 2014 Wales Defense Investment Pledge com- mitments; and (3) to support robust United States funding for the European Deterrence Initiative, which increases the abil- ity of the United States and its allies to deter and defend against aggression; Whereas the United States should take every action to rein- force its global reputation as a country that fully com- plies with its obligations under the international treaties to which it is a party; and Whereas NATO was founded on the principles of democracy, individual liberty, and the rule of law: Now, therefore, be it VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:07 Jun 15, 2021 Jkt 019200 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6300 E:\BILLS\HC38.IH HC38 kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS 3 •HCON 38 IH Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate 1 concurring), That Congress— 2 (1) recognizes the contributions to the national 3 security of the United States and other alliance 4 members derived from international treaties and alli- 5 ances; 6 (2) supports the President’s reaffirmation of 7 the United States commitment to Article 5 and to 8 NATO collective defense based on shared democratic 9 values; 10 (3) calls for— 11 (A) robust United States leadership within 12 NATO; 13 (B) coordination with steadfast allies and 14 partners on shared peace and security concerns; 15 and 16 (C) continued United States engagement 17 to assist NATO allies in meeting their burden- 18 sharing targets; 19 (4) supports increased cooperation on new and 20 persistent threats to democratic institutions from 21 Russia and other competitors, as well as to critical 22 global challenges like climate change and the 23 COVID–19 pandemic; and 24 VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:07 Jun 15, 2021 Jkt 019200 PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 E:\BILLS\HC38.IH HC38 kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS 4 •HCON 38 IH (5) supports increased cooperation and dialogue 1 relating to how the alliance may modernize, pursue 2 new opportunities, and address potential internal 3 threats to democracy. 4 Æ VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:07 Jun 15, 2021 Jkt 019200 PO 00000 Frm 00004 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6301 E:\BILLS\HC38.IH HC38 kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS