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[Pages S2261-S2262]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
NATO
Mrs. SHAHEEN. Mr. President, I come to the floor today following our
colleague Senator Tillis to join him in talking about the importance of
NATO and expressing our deep appreciation for the North Atlantic Treaty
Organization.
Senator Tillis and I are the cochairs of the newly established Senate
NATO Observer Group, which builds on the effort that was started back
in the 1990s, by Tom Daschle and Trent Lott, to address the expansion
of NATO, following the fall of the Berlin Wall. Our task is not just to
shepherd through the Senate any changes in NATO that require Senate
approval, but it is also to remind all of us and to remind the American
public just how important NATO is.
Over the last seven decades, the NATO alliance has stood by its
members in the darkest hours, including in Afghanistan, after the
United States was attacked on September 11.
As Secretary General Stoltenberg reminded us yesterday, the only time
article 5, the mutual aid clause of the NATO charter, has been invoked
was after September 11, after the United States was attacked by
terrorists.
Our Transatlantic bond has been critical to the United States and
NATO, and, in particular, it has sustained a period of unprecedented
global security and stability. While people may not recognize it, every
day the United States sees the benefit of NATO. Whether we need to use
NATO bases to evacuate American troops from conflict or to ensure that
American goods and people travel safely across the Atlantic Ocean, NATO
plays a critical role.
As NATO marks its 70th anniversary--today, in fact--the fact is that
the alliance makes us stronger around the world and safer at home. So
it is no wonder that Americans are very supportive of this
organization. Any implication that Americans don't like or understand
NATO is just simply wrong.
This week the Pew Research Center unveiled research to show that
nearly 8 in 10 Americans, or 77 percent of Americans, including large
majorities in both the Democratic Party and the Republican Party, agree
that being a member of NATO is good for the United States.
We have also seen that the Chicago Council on Global Affairs has
recorded a steady increase in NATO favorability across generations of
Americans. Even the millennials, the generation born between 1981 and
1996, which are now the largest voting bloc in the United States, value
our alliances, and 72 percent back the United States' contribution to
NATO.
Boosted by these numbers, Congress has been more active than at any
time in my memory in expressing its support for NATO. In 2017 and 2018,
Congress took more votes in support of the United States' enduring
commitment to article 5 and NATO than at any time since the fall of the
Soviet Union. That is why Senators Tillis and I reestablished the
Senate NATO Observer Group last year. Since then, we have enjoyed a
diverse and active membership across the Republican and Democratic
Parties, as well as the enduring support of the Senate's leadership--
both Senator McConnell, the majority leader, and Senator Schumer, the
Democratic leader.
Further, Congress continues to put its word into action by allocating
significant levels of funding to help Europe deter threats that emanate
from NATO's eastern and southern borders, already having provided $6.5
billion in the last year alone for the European Deterrence Initiative.
I have no doubt that as the Senate prepares to provide its advice and
consent to NATO's 30th member, North Macedonia, Members of Congress
will, once again, rally to NATO's side and push forward on initiatives
to further strengthen NATO.
I should just call out the Republic of North Macedonia, as well as
the country of Greece, for reaching an agreement around the name change
for North Macedonia that both countries have agreed to and that the
Parliaments of both countries have supported.
So as China and Russia struggle to maintain allies and resort to
coercion and force to keep countries in their sphere, NATO has proven
to be an enduring American advantage in an uncertain world.
Our NATO allies continue to magnify the strength of our military, and
they stand ready to protect us and protect our shared interests and
values worldwide. For this reason, I thank our allies for what they
have done for the United States and for the people of Europe who are
part of our partner nations.
While we may have our differences, we will always remain stronger
with allies. As the Secretary General said yesterday, ``it is good to
have friends.''
I yield the floor.
I suggest the absence of a quorum.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
The bill clerk proceeded to call the roll.
Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order
for the quorum call be rescinded.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
[[Page S2262]]
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