WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Senators Thom Tillis (R-NC), Jim Justice (R-WV), John Cornyn (R-TX), Tim Sheehy (R-MT), Mike Lee (R-UT), Steve Daines (R-MT), and Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) introduced a resolution that expressed the view that, to maintain leadership roles within NATO and continue receiving benefits from NATO, Allies must now, at a bare minimum, meet the current required commitment with an eye towards likely increases in burden sharing to come.
In 2006, NATO Defense Ministers agreed to commit at least two percent of their Gross Domestic Product (GDP) to defense spending to ensure the Alliance's military readiness. This resolution asserts that countries not meeting this goal should be excluded from holding leadership positions within NATO or hosting significant NATO events, including summits or foreign ministers' meetings. Additionally, it calls for members to either meet the two percent commitment or have a plan to do so by the NATO Summit in The Hague in June 2025.
“Given the increased aggression from Russia in Ukraine, provocations from China, and other rising threats, it is crucial that our partner nations not only meet but exceed the current defense spending goals,” said Senator Tillis. “The existing two percent commitment is the bare minimum necessary. We must aim for higher targets, such as the proposed five percent from President Trump, to bolster and strengthen NATO.”
“Conflicts in Europe and the Middle East and tensions in the Indo-Pacific threaten our global stability and security,” said Senator Cornyn. “It’s critical for NATO nations to honor their commitments to spend two percent of their GDP on national defense, ensuring military readiness within the NATO alliance.”
“Thanks to President Trump’s leadership, many of our European allies are finally pulling their weight when it comes to defense spending,” said Senator Daines. “However, the world remains dangerous and it’s time for the remaining European countries to step up. Raising defense spending is an important part of deterrence and the time to act is now.”
Full text of the resolution is available HERE.
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