Lee Introduces Bills to Demand Burden Sharing and Oppose Ukraine Membership Ahead of NATO Summit
July 9, 2024
WASHINGTON – As Washington plays host to this year's NATO Summit, Senator Mike Lee (R-UT) is set to introduce a series of bills to address the strategic misdirection of NATO and the decades-long imbalance in defense spending. The summit marks NATO's 75th anniversary, a milestone that calls for reflection and a reassessment of the alliance's operational readiness and financial posture.
"European capitals have grown accustomed to U.S.-subsidized security, allowing them to dictate policy without bearing the risks or costs," said Senator Lee. "This arrangement has been perpetuated out of deference to the so-called 'rules-based international order.' It's time for Congress to remind the alliance—and the Biden administration—that it holds the power to make treaties, extend NATO membership, and conduct oversight of our commitments abroad."
Senator Lee's legislative agenda during the summit includes the following:
Resolution Opposing Security Guarantees for Ukraine
This resolution condemns the Biden administration's recent 10-year bilateral security agreement with Ukraine. It asserts that the agreement has no legal force without Senate ratification and rejects it as a "bridge" to Ukraine's NATO membership. Introduced on June 20, Senator Lee will call for unanimous consent and invites additional cosponsors.
For resolution text, click HERE
Prohibition on Ukraine NATO Membership
This bill amends the Mutual Security Act of 1954 to stipulate that initiating an accession process for Ukraine will be grounds for immediate U.S. withdrawal from NATO. Senator Lee emphasizes the necessity of this bill to prevent further escalation and undue U.S. commitments.
For bill text, click HERE
Allied Burden Sharing Report Act
Despite being required by the 1985 NDAA, DOD has not consistently reported on allied defense contributions since the early 2000s. This is an unacceptable status quo. This act mandates the Department of Defense to prepare an annual report on the defense spending and contributions of all 59 U.S. allies.
The report will include:
- Defense spending as a nominal figure and percentage of GDP
- Contributions to military operations in line with cooperative defense agreements
- Limitations placed on the use of such contributions
For bill text, click HERE
NATO Burden Sharing Report Act
Focusing solely on current and prospective NATO member countries, this act requires DOD to annually report on:
- Defense spending as a nominal figure and percentage of GDP
- A description of each member's hard vs. soft power contributions for Ukraine
- Analysis of defense industrial base health and comparative advantages
- Size and structure of armed forces
- Areas of reliance on allied assets
- Foreign Military Sales (FMS) deliveries or contracts in the previous year
- Changes in defense spending over the previous year
- Anticipated future spending
For bill text, click HERE
"As NATO gathers on our soil, we have the opportunity to demand equitable burden sharing and make it clear that Ukraine's membership cannot be on the table," added Senator Lee. "These bills are essential to ensuring that the United States is not unduly burdened by an alliance that refuses to pull its weight or come to grips with strategic realities ."
For a one-pager, click HERE
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