U.S. Rep. Will Hurd (R-TX) on Feb. 4 cosponsored a bipartisan resolution that would require consent either from the U.S. Senate or an act of Congress to suspend, terminate or withdraw the United States from the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), action reportedly considered by President Donald Trump.
“I am proud to support this bipartisan legislation that reaffirms the role of Congress, as a coequal branch of government, in continuing the strong transatlantic bond that unites our nations,” said Rep. Hurd, a former CIA officer who previously served alongside NATO military forces in Afghanistan.
House Joint Resolution (H.J.Res.) 41, sponsored by U.S. Rep. Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), would prevent any U.S. withdrawal from NATO unless and until Congress approved such action, according to Rep. Hurd.
According to the text in the congressional record of H.J.Res. 41, there would be “no funds authorized or appropriated by any act” to be used to support, directly or indirectly, any efforts by any United States government official to suspend, terminate or withdraw the U.S. from NATO, which the nation has been a member of since April 4, 1949.
The only time such funds would be permitted to be used for such instances, according to the bill’s text, is if the U.S. Senate would approve by a two-thirds vote, “a resolution advising and consenting to the suspension, termination, or withdrawal of the United States from the treaty, or pursuant to an Act of Congress,” according to the text.
Additionally, if enacted, the resolution would authorize both the Senate Legal Counsel and the General Counsel to the House of Representatives “to independently or collectively represent Congress in initiating or intervening in any judicial proceedings in any Federal court of competent jurisdiction on behalf of Congress in order to oppose any effort to suspend, terminate, or withdraw the United States from the North Atlantic Treaty,” the text says.
“NATO is and will remain a critical force for deterring Russian attempts to corrupt western democracy and for permanently underwriting U.S. and allied security,” said Rep. Gallego. “There is no more comparable collection of capable, coordinated and effective nations at preserving the common defense than this alliance.”
U.S. Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY), an original cosponsor of the resolution, said she was a strong supporter of NATO. “Congressional oversight in matters related to the suspension, termination, or withdrawal from NATO is an absolute necessity to further establish our strong standing on the world stage,” she said. “As our Framers intended, Congress must be consulted prior to the Executive Branch before making any decision that has the potential to disrupt the security of the United States and the alliances we hold,” Rep. Stefanik added.
H.J.Res. 41 has been referred for consideration to the U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee and to the U.S. House Rules Committee.
Meanwhile, Rep. Hurd on Jan. 17 was among 19 cosponsors of the bipartisan NATO Support Act, H.R. 676, sponsored by U.S. Rep. Jimmy Panetta (D-CA) to reiterate congressional support for NATO. The measure on Jan. 22 received approval from the U.S. House of Representatives and now is under consideration by the Senate.
“NATO has contributed to the peace and prosperity of North America and Europe for 70 years,” Rep. Hurd said. “Just as NATO has stood with us time and time again, we must always stand with them.”