Skip to main content

Congressman Panetta Leads Bipartisan Measure Supporting the NATO Alliance

June 15, 2021

Today, Congressman Jimmy Panetta (D-Carmel Valley) introduced bipartisan legislation expressing strong Congressional support for the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), the longest-standing and most successful military alliance in the world. The measure also supports increased cooperation on new and persistent threats to democratic institutions and critical global challenges like climate change and the COVID-19 pandemic.

The bill is cosponsored by Congressman Meeks (D-NY), Congressman Connolly (D-VA), Congressman Deutch (D-FL), Congressman Moulton (D-MA), Congressman Bacon (R-NE), Congressman Kinzinger (R-IL), Congressman Upton (R-MI), Congressman Gallagher (R-WI), and Congressman Fitzpatrick (R-NY).

"Although NATO has long been the pillar of international peace, stability, and security, its foundation depends on the United States and our commitment to that alliance," said Congressman Panetta. "This resolution mandates our responsibility and authenticates our and other alliance members' obligations to promote our shared democratic values, deter aggression and destabilization, and increase cooperation on challenges and opportunities for the future. I thank my bipartisan colleagues for joining me to commemorate and reinvigorate our nation's continued commitment to the most successful alliance in the history of the world."

"This resolution reaffirms our continued, strong commitment to the NATO alliance, the bedrock of transatlantic security and the key to navigating the many challenges that we and our allies face today. The transatlantic alliance is a crucial forum to promoting our foundational values of democracy, the rule of law, peace and collective security. Through my capacity as Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and as a member of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly, I look forward to further strengthening our democratic resilience, cooperation, and engagement with our NATO allies," said Chairman Meeks of the House Foreign Affairs Committee.

"As the President of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly, I am glad to help lead this broad, bipartisan show of support for NATO ahead of the Leaders' Summit in Brussels. I welcome renewed American leadership at NATO during a critical inflection point for the Alliance. In the face of growing autocratic influence around the world, we must demonstrate that NATO is more than just a military bloc. We can start by strengthening the institutions that underpin our shared democratic values in additional to reiterating our unequivocal commitment to collective security," said Congressman Connolly.

"The United States is firmly committed to the NATO alliance, a partnership that has been and remains a cornerstone of our efforts to ensure international security. We stand by our commitments to the alliance and with our NATO allies and partners. This bipartisan resolution sends a clear message to the world that we remain steadfast to this deep partnership and committed to finding new and effective ways to work together against shared challenges," said Chairman Deutch of the Subcommittee on the Middle East, North Africa, and Global Counterterrorism.

"America's alliances are a source of peace, strength, and security for our country, and among our defense treaties, NATO stands alone as the most successful military alliance in history," said Congressman Bacon. "As a career military officer and former commander of one of the largest U.S. bases in Europe, our participation in the NATO alliance remains critical to our security at home. We must remain committed to NATO and continue to strengthen our global network of alliances."

"NATO has safeguarded the freedom and security of North America and Europe for more than 70 years," said Congressman Upton. "This Resolution reaffirms our long-standing commitment to our allies, as we work together to fight Russian aggression, combat terrorism, and address challenges such as COVID-19."

"The U.S. must continue to work with our international allies to push back against rogue nations, violent extremism, and ruthless dictators," said Ranking Member Fitzpatrick of the Subcommittee on Europe, Energy, the Environment, & Cyber. "I am proud to cosponsor this bipartisan resolution, which expresses support for our NATO allies and increased alliance cooperation on our shared challenges and opportunities."