Today the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 676 the bipartisan NATO Support Act, of which Congressman Don Bacon (R-NE) is an original co-sponsor. The legislation reiterates strong Congressional support for the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), the longest-standing and most successful multinational military alliance in the world.

The NATO Support Act asserts the Constitutional authority of Congress in providing for the defense of the United States by requiring advanced approval of funding to withdraw from America’s defensive alliance with NATO. Additionally, the legislation supports NATO member efforts to spend at least two percent of their gross domestic product on defense and promotes robust funding for the European Deterrence Initiative to counter Russian aggression.

"America’s alliances are a source of strength and security for our country, and among our defense treaties, NATO stands alone as the most successful military alliance in history,” said Rep. Bacon.  “On the 70th anniversary of this historic treaty, it is right for Congress to express its support for the NATO Alliance, and to make clear to our allies and adversaries alike that the American people are absolutely committed to staying in NATO.”

NATO is a security alliance of 28 countries from North America and Europe. The North Atlantic Treaty was signed by President Truman in Washington D.C. in April 1949, and later ratified by the Senate July 1949 by a vote of 82-13. In addition to its traditional role of territorial defense of Allied nations, NATO also conducts ongoing security operations in the Balkans and Mediterranean region and leads the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan.

“As a student of history, it is clear our defense alliances have preserved peace and greatly enhanced economic prosperity around the world since the end of the Second World War,” said Rep. Bacon. “I can confidently state from first-hand experience as a career military officer and former base commander in Europe that our participation in the NATO alliance remains critical to U.S. military operations today."

H.R. 676 was introduced by Congressman Jimmy Panetta (D-CA), and is also cosponsored by Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Eliot Engel (D-NY), Representatives Adam Kinzinger (R-IL), Mike Gallagher (R-WI), Will Hurd (R-TX), Fred Upton (R-MI), Tom Malinowski (D-NJ), Seth Moulton (D-MA), Abigail Spanberger (D-VA), and Chrissy Houlahan (D-PA).

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