On the recordJune 8, 2017
70 years ago this week, Secretary of State George Marshall proposed an ambitious plan to rebuild Europe following the devastation of World War II. Out of the Marshall Plan's transatlantic spirit of shared interests and economic cooperation, stronger military integration arose in the form of NATO. NATO, alongside the European Union, have formed the pillars of a safe, secure, and strong Europe while promoting the U.S. security and economic interests, our interests. We must be firm in our commitment to article 5 of the NATO treaty. If America's commitment to the alliance is doubted, either by other NATO countries or adversaries of NATO, the peace secured by the United States and its allies will be threatened, make no mistake about it. This is the longest peacetime period in Europe in over 1,000 years, which is really remarkable, and we should not take it for granted. It is our responsibility in Congress and in the White House to ensure that global order secured by NATO is strengthened, not damaged. So it is important that we recognize this 70th anniversary of the Marshall Plan. ____________________
