[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 135 Introduced in House (IH)]

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119th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. RES. 135

   Affirming the nature and importance of the North Atlantic Treaty 
Organization and Article 5 commitments under the North Atlantic Treaty.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                           February 13, 2025

   Mr. Meeks (for himself, Mr. Keating, Mr. Connolly, and Mr. Hoyer) 
submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee 
                           on Foreign Affairs

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
   Affirming the nature and importance of the North Atlantic Treaty 
Organization and Article 5 commitments under the North Atlantic Treaty.

Whereas the United States and our democratic allies and partners face 
        unprecedented international challenges and evolving threats to global 
        security;
Whereas the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) was founded on April 4, 
        1949, to counter Soviet expansion, prevent further world wars from 
        emerging in Europe, and develop a commitment to transatlantic security, 
        and is built on the democratic principles of freedom, security, and 
        national sovereignty;
Whereas Article 5 of the North Atlantic Treaty underpins the principle of 
        ``collective defense'' and has served as a guiding value and commitment 
        of United States foreign policy for over 75 years;
Whereas United States Article 5 commitments regarding collective defense augment 
        United States deterrence capabilities against adversaries such as 
        Russia, China, and Iran that seek to spread their malign influence;
Whereas the unifying nature of Article 5 commitments between allies create a 
        stronger defense against threats to our collective defense and stability 
        of democratic states;
Whereas transatlantic cooperation through NATO serves as a bulwark against the 
        proliferation of malign influence, technologies, and destabilizing 
        operations from adversaries;
Whereas authoritarian regimes such as Russia, China, Iran, and North Korea have 
        increased collaboration in political, economic, and security sectors, 
        sought to undermine democratic principles, and sow distrust in 
        democratic institutions;
Whereas in the only invocation of Article 5 of the North Atlantic Treaty, NATO 
        allies provided troops, intelligence, resources, and support to United 
        States forces following the September 11, 2001, attacks, and NATO allies 
        incurred significant casualties under NATO-led operations in 
        Afghanistan;
Whereas NATO has been steadfast in its support for Ukraine in light of Russia's 
        full-scale invasion, with member countries providing ammunition, 
        weapons, and significant non-security assistance increasing Ukraine's 
        ability to defend itself and imposing direct costs on Russia for its 
        illegal invasion of Ukraine;
Whereas, following Vladimir Putin's illegal invasion of Ukraine, Finland and 
        Sweden made the sovereign decision to accede to the NATO alliance;
Whereas NATO remains committed to addressing the systemic challenges posed by 
        China to Euro-Atlantic interests and security; and
Whereas NATO member states have continued to strengthen and evolve capabilities 
        in the realm of advanced defense and cyber technologies, including 
        through the Defense Innovation Accelerator for the North Atlantic 
        (DIANA) program with the inclusion and cooperation of leading 
        researchers, and innovators: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) reaffirms full and unwavering commitment to the North 
        Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO);
            (2) reiterates the importance of NATO and the vital 
        commitment of the United States to the alliance and to 
        defending United States allies under Article 5 of the North 
        Atlantic Treaty;
            (3) reaffirms NATO's open door policy and commitment to 
        Article 10 of the North Atlantic Treaty, and reaffirms that 
        every state has the right to choose its own security 
        arrangements, including Ukraine;
            (4) remembers the thousands of NATO coalition soldiers who 
        sacrificed their lives in support of the United States 
        following the invocation of Article 5 after the September 11, 
        2001, terrorist attacks against the United States;
            (5) underscores the importance of all NATO allies 
        dedicating at least 2 percent of their gross domestic product 
        to their national defense or establish plans by the Washington 
        Summit to meet their 2 percent obligations; and
            (6) highlights the importance of coordination and 
        collaboration in advanced defense technologies, counter-
        intelligence, and cybersecurity programs among NATO allies 
        given the evolving threats posed by adversaries such as Russia, 
        China, and Iran.
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