On the recordAugust 3, 2022
I just spoke an hour ago on the floor, and I am a very strong proponent of Sweden and Finland joining NATO. I am also a very strong supporter of NATO, and I want the alliance to endure for decades to come. But alliances can't endure if shared commitments and burdens are not met. This is particularly true for democratic alliances, where there must be a sense among the free citizens of such countries that all are pulling their weight for the collective defense and shared goals they all agree to. So the amendment I just called up an hour ago, No. 5192, is meant to make this clear. It simply states that the U.S. Senate expects all NATO members to spend a minimum of 2 percent of GDP on defense spending as agreed at the NATO summit in Wales in 2014. This will make NATO stronger, as will the accession of Finland and Sweden as new members. And I ask for a voice vote on this amendment.
