Murkowski and Shaheen Introduce Legislation to Cement NATO Unity

Murkowski and Shaheen Introduce Legislation to Cement NATO Unity

Washington, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) introduced the NATO Unity Protection Act, bipartisan legislation to prohibit the use of U.S. Department of Defense or Department of State funds to blockade, occupy, annex or otherwise assert control over the sovereign territory of a NATO member state without that ally's consent or authorization from the North Atlantic Council.

The legislation comes amid growing concern following Trump Administration's recent statements, indicating that the U.S. could take steps to take control of Greenland, the autonomous territory of NATO ally, Denmark. Such a move would be counter to the North Atlantic Treaty, weaken NATO cohesion and undermine the Alliance's existing efforts to address threats from adversaries like Russia and China. NATO remains the most successful defensive alliance in history, and its credibility rests on the shared understanding that member states' sovereignty will be respected and defended by one another.

"Our NATO alliances are what set the United States apart from our adversaries. We have friends and allies who are willing to stand firmly alongside us as the strongest line of defense to keep those who work to undermine peace and stability from making sweeping advances globally," said Senator Murkowski. "The mere notion that America would use our vast resources against our allies is deeply troubling and must be wholly rejected by Congress in statute."

"The strength of NATO depends on unity, trust and respect for the sovereignty of every member state," said Senator Shaheen. "Any suggestion that the United States might use its power to seize or control the territory of a NATO ally would directly undermine the alliance that keeps Americans safe and plays into the hands of our adversaries. This bipartisan legislation makes clear that U.S. taxpayer dollars cannot be used for actions that would fracture NATO and violate our own commitments to NATO. This bill sends a clear message that recent rhetoric around Greenland deeply undermines America's own national security interests and faces bipartisan opposition in Congress."

Specifically, the NATO Unity Protection Act would:

• Affirm that the unified strength of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) is critical to U.S. national security and foreign policy;
• Recognize that any occupation or takeover of the sovereign territory of a NATO ally would violate the U.N. Charter and the North Atlantic Treaty;
• Prohibit the use of Department of Defense funds to blockade, occupy, annex, conduct military operations against or otherwise assert control over the sovereign territory of a NATO member state without that state's authorization or approval by the North Atlantic Council;
• Prohibit the use of Department of State funds to develop, support or implement plans for such actions against a NATO member state;
• Clarify that nothing in the Act limits the ability of the United States to defend itself or an ally against an armed attack or a credible threat of imminent attack.

Full text of the bill can be found HERE.

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