Congress’ consideration of the defense budget now includes a debate on whether the United States should be a member of NATO, which it helped found after World War II to protect Europe from Russian aggression.
The Senate and House will consider amendments on their own versions of the National Defense Authorization Act that could force the country’s withdrawal from the North Atlantic Treaty Organization or lock it in indefinitely, barring an act of Congress.
During his administration, former president Donald Trump reportedly discussed withdrawing from the organization. On Tuesday, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, an influential member of House leadership, introduced an amendment to the House bill that would direct the president to withdraw from the international military alliance. And on Wednesday, Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Va.) reintroduced legislation to prohibit any U.S. president from withdrawing from NATO without Senate approval or an Act of Congress.
