Risch, Cardin, Ricketts, Shaheen Introduce Resolution Recognizing NATO’s 75th Anniversary

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Jim Risch (R-Idaho) and Ben Cardin (D-Md.), ranking member and chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, along with Senators Pete Ricketts (R-Neb.) and Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), ranking member and chair of the Subcommittee on Europe and Regional Security Cooperation, yesterday introduced a resolution recognizing the 75th anniversary of NATO.

“NATO is the most successful political-military alliance in the history of the world and has maintained the security, stability, and economic prosperity of the North Atlantic area for 75 years. Ahead of the annual NATO summit in Washington this summer, I am proud to introduce a resolution with Senator Cardin recognizing the important work the alliance does and reaffirming the United States’ commitment to it,” said Ranking Member Risch. “As China and Russia deepen their relationship and security environments change, I hope the alliance will continue to adapt to address these challenges head on. I look forward to welcoming members and observers to Washington this summer where we can discuss the path ahead. We need a strong and forceful communique that will reassert NATO’s role in defending our freedoms.”

“I am pleased to join with a bipartisan group of colleagues in vigorous agreement that the North Atlantic Treaty Organization is as important as ever, and more united than ever,” said Chairman Cardin. “We know that NATO has been steadfast in protecting the transatlantic community for 75 years, and are clear-eyed about the threat posed by Vladimir Putin today. At this summer’s Washington Summit, our message to the world is that congressional commitment to the Alliance will not waver.”

“NATO is the cornerstone of transatlantic security and essential for global stability. Working together to combat Russian aggression and the challenges posed by the Chinese Communist Party is more important than ever. As we mark 75 years of the NATO alliance, I especially appreciate all our partners who are honoring their NATO commitments. Together, we make the world a safer place for us all,” said Ricketts.

“As-co-chair of the U.S. Senate NATO Observer Group and the Chair of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on Europe and Regional Security Cooperation, I’m pleased to celebrate 75 years of the world’s greatest alliance—which is stronger today than ever before. NATO continues to lead the world in defense of democracy, as evidenced by the steadfast support by NATO members for Ukraine in the face of Putin’s full-scale invasion. As we mark this important anniversary, we must continue to remain united against bad actors who seek to upend the global world order, and we must work together to usher in another 75 years of transatlantic unity and stability,” said Shaheen.

This resolution:

• Celebrates the 75th anniversary of NATO’s founding and welcomes all NATO members and observers to the 75th Annual Summit in June 2024, in Washington, D.C.
• Applauds the addition of Finland and Sweden to the alliance.
• Continues to affirm the importance of Article 5 of the North Atlantic Treaty.
• Strongly calls on all NATO member states to immediately meet their obligations and raise their defense spending levels above the 2 percent GDP target.
• Encourages NATO to build closer ties with the Indo-Pacific to confront the challenges posed by the deepening partnership and alignment between the Russian Federation and the People’s Republic of China.
• Reaffirms the importance of nuclear deterrence in NATO planning and supports the modernization and development of new systems.

Full text of the resolution can be found here.

###