Bacon, Colleagues Introduce Bipartisan Legislation Prohibiting a U.S. Invasion of a NATO Member State

Washington – Last night, Subcommittee on Cyber, Information Technologies, and Innovation Chairman Don Bacon (R-NE), Subcommittee on Europe Ranking Member Bill Keating (D-MA), Danish Caucus Co-Chair Steny Hoyer (D-MD), and Lead Democrat for the U.S. Delegation to the NATO Parliamentary Assembly Brendan F. Boyle (D-PA) introduced the No Funds for NATO Invasion Act to prohibit the use of federal funds for an invasion of any NATO member state or NATO-protected territory.

“The No Funds for NATO Invasion Act makes clear to our allies and partners, as well as those around the world, that it is unacceptable to invade the territory of an ally of the United States. It is important to remember that for almost 80 years, NATO has been the foundation for peace and cooperation between the United States and our European allies. Without question, it has led to greater economic opportunity, enhanced safety and security measures, and peace with our allies that has had a direct impact on every American’s life,” said the Members of Congress. “This bipartisan legislation, which prohibits the use of any funds to invade a NATO member state or NATO-protected territory, demonstrates the strong commitment in the House of Representatives to support our NATO allies. We must cease the inflammatory rhetoric, work together to take advantage of our shared opportunities, and, most importantly, to counter the real threats from those who do not share our values.”

The No Funds for NATO Invasion Act would:

• Prohibit any federal funds from being made available for the invasion of a NATO member state or any territory protected by Article 5 of the North Atlantic Treaty.
• Prohibit any officer or employee of the United States from taking any action to execute an invasion of a NATO member state or any territory protected by Article 5 of the North Atlantic Treaty.

Original Cosponsors Include: Dina Titus (NV-1), Joaquin Castro (TX-20), Madeleine Dean (PA-4), Sara Jacobs (CA-51), Joe Courtney (CT-2), Sarah McBride (DE-AL), Johnny Olszewski Jr. (MD-2), Sydney Kamlager-Dove (CA-37), Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC-AL), Christopher R. Deluzio (PA-17), Julie Johnson (TX-32), Wesley Bell (MO-1), Jimmy Panetta (CA-19), Gabe Amo (RI-1), Jim Costa (CA-21), Lloyd Doggett (TX-37), Eric Swalwell (CA-14), Marcy Kaptur (OH-9), Jason Crow (CO-6), Brad Sherman (CA-32), Marc Veasey (TX-33), Greg Stanton (AZ-4), Ami Bera (CA-6).

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