On the recordMay 17, 2012
I have an amendment at the desk. The Acting CHAIR. The Clerk will designate the amendment. The text of the amendment is as follows: At the end of title XII, add the following new section: SEC. 12__. REMOVAL OF BRIGADE COMBAT TEAMS FROM EUROPE. (a) Finding.--Congress finds that, because defense spending among European NATO countries fell 12% since 2008, from $314 billion to $275 billion, so that currently only 4 out of the 28 NATO allies of the United States are spending the widely agreed-to standard of 2% of their GDP on defense, the United States must look to more wisely allocate scarce resources to provide for the national defense. (b) Removal Authorized.--The President is authorized and requested to end the permanent basing of units of the United States Armed Forces in European member nations of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization and return the four Brigade Combat Teams currently stationed in Europe to the United States.…
