[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 1246 Introduced in House (IH)]
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119th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. RES. 1246
Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives in support of the
integration of Kosovo into the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
April 30, 2026
Mr. Self (for himself, Mr. Torres of New York, and Mr. Lawler)
submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee
on Foreign Affairs
_______________________________________________________________________
RESOLUTION
Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives in support of the
integration of Kosovo into the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.
Whereas the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (``NATO'') has served as the
cornerstone of Euro-Atlantic security since its founding in 1949,
preserving peace and stability through collective defense under article
5 of the Washington Treaty;
Whereas NATO enlargement has historically strengthened the Alliance by
incorporating nations committed to democracy, individual liberty, and
the rule of law, consistent with article 10 of the Washington Treaty;
Whereas the Western Balkans remain one of the final regions of Europe in which
several states have not integrated into NATO, leaving a strategic gap
that adversaries of the United States and allies of such adversaries
seek to exploit;
Whereas the Russian Federation, the People's Republic of China, and other malign
actors have expanded their political, economic, and paramilitary
influence across the Western Balkans, posing a direct threat to the
security of United States forces stationed in the region and to the
broader strategic interests of the United States in Southeastern Europe;
Whereas Kosovo declared independence on February 17, 2008, and has since been
recognized by over 100 countries, including the United States and a
majority of NATO member states;
Whereas Kosovo has demonstrated its commitment to democratic governance,
civilian oversight of security forces, and multiethnic coexistence, and
has actively sought closer integration with NATO;
Whereas the Partnership for Peace and the Membership Action Plan have served as
effective and proven pathways for aspiring NATO members to undertake the
political, military, and institutional reforms necessary for full
Alliance membership; and
Whereas the normalization of relations between Kosovo and Serbia, while a
worthwhile diplomatic objective, should not be treated as a prerequisite
for Kosovo's progress toward NATO membership: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That it is the sense of the House of Representatives
that--
(1) the full integration of Kosovo into the North Atlantic
Treaty Organization (``NATO'') is a priority for the national
security interests of the United States in Southeastern Europe;
(2) the United States is deeply concerned with the growing
malign activities of the Russian Federation, the People's
Republic of China, and other malign actors in the Western
Balkans, and the threat these pose to the security of United
States forces stationed in the region and to the strategic
interests of the United States in Southeastern Europe;
(3) the United States strongly supports the sovereignty and
territorial integrity of Kosovo as a democratic, multiethnic
state, and reaffirms its recognition of Kosovo's independence;
(4) the United States strongly supports Kosovo's
aspirations as a democratic, multiethnic state, and encourages
Kosovo's continued progress toward integration into NATO;
(5) the United States should continue and deepen its
support for the modernization of the Kosovo Security Force, the
Kosovo Intelligence Agency, and other relevant security organs
of the Kosovo state, in order to strengthen Kosovo's capacity
for self-defense and interoperability with NATO forces;
(6) the United States urges the remaining 4 non-recognizing
member states of NATO, namely Greece, Romania, Slovakia, and
Spain, to amend their positions on Kosovo's sovereignty, so as
to allow Kosovo to formally commence movement toward
integration into NATO;
(7) the pathway toward Kosovo's full NATO membership should
proceed through sequential steps, including--
(A) Kosovo's inclusion in the NATO Partnership for
Peace program;
(B) Kosovo's admission into the NATO Membership
Action Plan; and
(C) Kosovo's full admission into NATO as a member
state; and
(8) it is the policy of the United States to--
(A) actively advocate within NATO for Kosovo's
inclusion in the Partnership for Peace and the
Membership Action Plan;
(B) engage diplomatically with non-recognizing NATO
member states to encourage recognition of Kosovo's
sovereignty; and
(C) continue security assistance and capacity-
building efforts with Kosovo's security and
intelligence institutions.
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