Panetta introduces bill to ‘strengthen’ NATO alliance

IN RESPONSE to President Donald Trump's recent criticism of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization and the paltry amounts some member countries contribute to the alliance, Democratic Rep. Jimmy Panetta this week introduced a bill that takes a firm stand in support of NATO.

The bill, cosponsored by Republican Rep. Steve Knight of California, would prohibit federal funds from being used to withdraw the United States from NATO — which was established in 1949 by 12 nations to fend off Soviet aggression.

The bill also seeks to reject any efforts to withdraw from the alliance, and to continue to work with members to ensure that each country spends at least 2 percent of its gross domestic product on defense spending, in accordance with a 2014 NATO agreement.

"In the face of Russia's threats and attacks on American and allied interests, Congress must take a stand and solidify our commitment to our allies," Panetta said. "We must promote our shared values of freedom, equality and empowerment by continuing to invest in the institutions, programs and people that enhance our national security."

The United States pays the lion's share of its GDP on defense spending, with 3.6 percent, followed by Greece with 2.4 percent. Trump has been highly critical of Germany, a country that enjoys massive defense help from the U.S., but which only spends 1.2 percent of its GDP — the same percentage that much smaller countries such as Denmark and the Slovak Republic spend.