[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 116 (Wednesday, July 11, 2018)]
[House]
[Pages H6065-H6067]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 EXPRESSING SUPPORT FOR THE COUNTRIES OF EASTERN EUROPE AND THE NORTH 
                      ATLANTIC TREATY ORGANIZATION

  Mr. ROYCE of California. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that 
the

[[Page H6066]]

Committee on Foreign Affairs be discharged from further consideration 
of the resolution (H. Res. 256) expressing support for the countries of 
Eastern Europe and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, and ask for 
its immediate consideration in the House.
  The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from California?
  Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, reserving my right to object, although I 
don't intend to object, I want to, first of all, thank the chairman for 
bringing this resolution to the floor.
  The Foreign Affairs Committee marked up this resolution awhile back. 
It passed unanimously, and we were under the impression that it might 
come up for debate on Tuesday under suspension. That is what should 
have happened.
  Members should have had the opportunity to debate this in the House 
before the NATO summit meeting began this morning, and sent a clear 
message that this body stands with NATO, that we support this alliance, 
the most successful in history, that our allies can count on American 
leadership and American resolve.
  Instead, we are rushing it through today, after the summit is halfway 
over and after President Trump has again insulted our closest friends 
on the global stage.
  This is an important resolution. It should not be swept under the rug 
because it is important that this body stand up for NATO, even if we 
are late to the game.
  Mr. Speaker, I withdraw my reservation of objection.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The reservation is withdrawn.
  Is there objection to the request of the gentleman from California?
  There was no objection.
  The text of the resolution is as follows:

                              H. Res. 256

       Whereas the United States has shown strong commitment to 
     the independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity, and 
     democratic development of the countries that emerged from the 
     ashes of the former Soviet Union and the communist bloc it 
     once dominated;
       Whereas many of these countries have, during the past three 
     decades, undertaken the considerable political and economic 
     reforms necessary to achieve the aspirations for European and 
     Euro-Atlantic integration, or are continuing to do so;
       Whereas the incorporation of Eastern European countries 
     into the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) has 
     contributed toward a vision of Europe that is aimed at 
     promoting stability and cooperation, at building a Europe 
     whole and free, united in peace, democracy and common values;
       Whereas the mission of NATO since its founding in 1949 is 
     to promote democratic values, cooperation on defense and 
     security issues, and the peaceful resolution of disputes;
       Whereas NATO remains the most important and critical 
     security link between the United States and Europe;
       Whereas NATO allies and partners in Central and Eastern 
     Europe, including countries of the Western Balkans, and the 
     former Soviet Union have stood alongside the United States in 
     joint peace operations in the Western Balkans, Afghanistan, 
     Iraq, and elsewhere around the globe;
       Whereas Russia's aggressive actions against neighboring 
     members of the NATO Alliance and nearby NATO partner 
     countries, including its many violations of Baltic airspace, 
     occupation of Georgian territory in 2008, annexation of 
     Crimea in 2014, and continued threats to Moldovan territorial 
     integrity and sovereignty, not only violate its commitments 
     under the Helsinki Final Act and subsequent Organization for 
     Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) agreements but are 
     also key contributors to Europe's instability;
       Whereas NATO reaffirmed its military security commitment to 
     the Baltic States in response to increased Russian military 
     activities;
       Whereas NATO allies increased their assistance to NATO 
     partner countries by endorsing the Substantial NATO-Georgia 
     Package in support of Georgia at the Wales Summit, the 
     Comprehensive Assistance Package in support of Ukraine at the 
     Warsaw Summit, and developed a phased Defense and Related 
     Security Capacity Building package in support of Moldova;
       Whereas the European Reassurance Initiative represents the 
     United States commitment to enduring peace, stability, and 
     territorial integrity in Europe as members and partners of 
     the NATO Alliance;
       Whereas British Prime Minister Theresa May stated, ``On 
     defense and security cooperation, we're united in our 
     recognition of NATO as the bulwark of our collective defense 
     and we reaffirmed our unshakeable commitment to this 
     alliance. We're 100% behind NATO.'';
       Whereas Estonian President Kersti Kaljulaid stated, ``Our 
     NATO allies can rely on us to act as agreed in recent summits 
     in Chicago, Wales and Warsaw, our UN partners have 
     appreciated and respected our role in peacekeeping operations 
     and our European partners know that Estonia is a reliable 
     partner when there is a crisis'' and Estonian Prime Minister 
     Juri Ratas stated, ``Our commitment to NATO is steadfast.'';
       Whereas Latvian President Raimonds Vejonis stated, ``We 
     [Latvia] continue increasing our defense spending 
     consistently on our own, and our allies appreciate that. A 
     historic decision on deployment of four multinational 
     battalions in the Baltic States and Poland was made at the 
     NATO Summit in Warsaw this summer. This is by far the most 
     serious proof of NATO's readiness to defend independence of 
     the Eastern European countries, including Latvia.'';
       Whereas Czech Republic Prime Minster Bohuslav Sobotka 
     stated, ``NATO is the basis for our security'' and that he 
     hopes ``the United States will remain a solid NATO 
     partner.''; and
       Whereas the United States must remain committed to our NATO 
     allies in the face of any aggression irrespective of their 
     ability to meet the NATO benchmark of spending: Now, 
     therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
       (1) condemns any threat to the sovereignty, territorial 
     integrity, freedom and democracy of the Baltic States;
       (2) condemns the clear, gross, and uncorrected ongoing 
     violation of the Helsinki principles by the Russian 
     Federation with respect to the sovereignty and territorial 
     integrity of Ukraine;
       (3) supports keeping United States sanctions imposed 
     against Russia relating to Crimea in effect until Ukraine's 
     sovereignty over Crimea has been restored, as well as 
     sanctions relating to the Donbas until the Minsk agreements 
     are fully implemented;
       (4) considers it essential for the United States to 
     maintain and increase political, economic, and security 
     support for the countries of Central and Eastern Europe;
       (5) appreciates the spirit of friendship of the countries 
     of Central and Eastern Europe, including those of the Western 
     Balkans, their commitment to collective security, and their 
     contributions, past and present, to peace operations around 
     the globe;
       (6) supports keeping the door to NATO membership open to 
     those countries that are eligible to join the Alliance and 
     meet all the necessary requirements for membership;
       (7) supports and encourages the democratic aspirations of 
     the people of all countries concerned, including Ukraine, 
     Georgia, and Moldova; and
       (8) calls for continued support to the United States 
     European Reassurance Initiative.


              Amendment Offered by Mr. Royce of California

  Mr. ROYCE of California. Mr. Speaker, I have an amendment to the text 
at the desk.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Clerk will report the amendment.
  The Clerk read as follows:

       Strike all after resolving clause and insert the following:
       Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
       (1) affirms the United States enduring commitment to and 
     friendship with its NATO allies;
       (2) pledges that the United States will continue to 
     maintain strong leadership and strengthen its commitments to 
     NATO;
       (3) condemns any threat to the sovereignty, territorial 
     integrity, freedom and democracy of NATO allies;
       (4) condemns the clear, gross, and uncorrected ongoing 
     violation of the Helsinki principles by Russia with respect 
     to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine;
       (5) supports keeping United States sanctions imposed 
     against Russia relating to Crimea in effect until Ukraine's 
     sovereignty over Crimea has been restored, as well as 
     sanctions relating to the Donbas until the Minsk agreements 
     are fully implemented;
       (6) considers it essential for the United States to 
     maintain and increase political, economic, and security 
     support for the countries of Central and Eastern Europe;
       (7) appreciates the spirit of friendship of the countries 
     of Central and Eastern Europe, including those of the Western 
     Balkans, their commitment to collective security, and their 
     contributions, past and present, to peace operations around 
     the globe;
       (8) calls for the United States to continue to support the 
     countries of Central and Eastern Europe to secure their 
     electoral processes from foreign threats;
       (9) supports and encourages the democratic aspirations of 
     the people of all countries concerned, including Ukraine, 
     Georgia, and Moldova;
       (10) encourages the countries of Europe to continue to 
     invest in the individual, regional, and collective defense;
       (11) calls on all NATO allies whose current proportion of 
     gross domestic product spent on defense is below the 2 
     percent guideline to meet that guideline;
       (12) honors the men and women who served under NATO and 
     gave their lives to promote peace, security, and 
     international cooperation since 1949; and

[[Page H6067]]

       (13) calls for continued support to the United States' 
     European Deterrence Initiative.

  Mr. ROYCE of California (during the reading). Mr. Speaker, I ask 
unanimous consent to dispense with the reading.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from California?
  There was no objection.
  The amendment was agreed to.
  The resolution, as amended, was agreed to.


      Amendment to the Preamble Offered by Mr. Royce of California

  Mr. ROYCE of California. I have an amendment to the preamble at the 
desk.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Clerk will report the amendment.
  The Clerk read as follows:

       Strike the preamble and insert the following:
       Whereas the United States has shown strong commitment to 
     the independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity, and 
     democratic development of the countries that emerged from the 
     ashes of the former Soviet Union and the communist bloc it 
     once dominated;
       Whereas many of these countries have, during the past three 
     decades, undertaken the extensive political and economic 
     reforms necessary to achieve their aspirations for European 
     and Euro-Atlantic integration, or are continuing to do so;
       Whereas the incorporation of Central and Eastern European 
     countries into the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) 
     has contributed to a vision of Europe that is whole and free 
     and united in peace, democracy, and common values;
       Whereas the mission of NATO since its founding in 1949 is 
     to defend its members from aggression, enhance cooperation on 
     defense and security issues, and promote the peaceful 
     resolution of disputes;
       Whereas NATO remains the most important and critical 
     security link between the United States and Europe;
       Whereas on November 16, 2016, former President Barack Obama 
     stated, ``NATO, the world's greatest alliance, is as strong 
     and as ready as it's ever been and I am confident that just 
     as America's commitment to the transatlantic alliance has 
     endured for seven decades--whether it's been under a 
     Democratic or Republican administration--that commitment will 
     continue, including our pledge and our treaty obligation to 
     defend every ally.'';
       Whereas on July 6, 2017, President Donald J. Trump 
     reiterated the United States' support of NATO by saying, ``To 
     those who would criticize our tough stance, I would point out 
     that the United States has demonstrated not merely with words 
     but with its actions that we stand firmly behind Article 5, 
     the mutual defense commitment.'';
       Whereas NATO allies and partners in Central and Eastern 
     Europe, including countries of the Western Balkans, and the 
     former Soviet Union have stood alongside the United States in 
     joint peace operations in the Western Balkans, Afghanistan, 
     Iraq, and elsewhere around the globe;
       Whereas NATO established the Euro-Atlantic Partnership 
     Council to promote, among other priorities, counter-
     terrorism, non-proliferation, and crisis management 
     cooperation as well as advancing values, including respect of 
     international law and peaceful resolution of disputes;
       Whereas Russia's aggressive actions against members of the 
     NATO Alliance and nearby NATO partner countries, including 
     its many violations of Baltic airspace, occupation of 
     Georgian territory in 2008, illegal occupation of Crimea 
     since 2014, and continued threats to Moldovan territorial 
     integrity and sovereignty, not only violate its commitments 
     under the Helsinki Final Act and subsequent Organization for 
     Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) agreements but also 
     foment instability in Europe;
       Whereas NATO allies increased their assistance to NATO 
     partner countries by endorsing the Substantial NATO-Georgia 
     Package in support of Georgia at the Wales Summit, the 
     Comprehensive Assistance Package in support of Ukraine at the 
     Warsaw Summit, and developed a phased Defense and Related 
     Security Capacity Building package in support of Moldova;
       Whereas the European Deterrence Initiative represents the 
     United States commitment to enduring peace, stability, and 
     territorial integrity in Europe as members and partners of 
     the NATO Alliance;
       Whereas from September 14 through September 20, 2017, 
     Russia held a large-scale military exercise in Belarus known 
     as Zapad 2017;
       Whereas the last Zapad exercise was in 2013 which laid the 
     foundations for Russia's 2014 annexation of Crimea;
       Whereas NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg expressed 
     concerns about Russia's lack of transparency regarding 
     military exercises;
       Whereas Secretary-General Stoltenberg also stated, ``Russia 
     is our neighbor....We don't want to isolate Russia; we don't 
     want a new Cold War.'';
       Whereas the Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces 
     of Russia, Valery Gerasimov, wrote in 2013 that 
     ``informational conflict'' is a key part of war;
       Whereas Baltic and NATO officials believe that Russia was 
     likely responsible for interruptions in Latvia's mobile 
     communications network before the Zapad exercise;
       Whereas three Baltic Russian-language news sites known 
     collectively as Baltnews are secretly owned by Rossiya 
     Segodnya, a news agency owned and operated by the Russian 
     Government;
       Whereas on June 28, 2017, Vesko Garcevic, Montenegro's 
     ambassador to NATO from 2010 through 2014, testified before 
     the Senate Intelligence Committee that Russia has provided 
     support to extremist groups and even used the country's 
     religious institutions to oppose closer ties to the Western 
     world;
       Whereas on April 4, 2018, Russia began a live-fire military 
     exercise in the Baltic Sea, just outside of the territorial 
     waters of NATO member countries, in a move a top Latvian 
     defense official called a ``show of force'' just a day after 
     Baltic leaders met with President Trump;
       Whereas at the Wales Summit in 2014, all 28 members of the 
     NATO alliance declared their intention to move towards a 
     minimum security investment of 2 percent of their gross 
     domestic product on defense within a decade;
       Whereas on June 8, 2018, NATO Secretary-General Stoltenberg 
     spoke of increases in defense investments by European allies, 
     that ``Allies are making real progress on all aspects of 
     burden sharing, cash, capabilities and contributions... But 
     of course, we still have more work to do. Burden sharing will 
     be a key theme of our Summit next month. And I expect all 
     Allies to continue their efforts.''; and
       Whereas the commitment to collective defense in Article 5 
     of the North Atlantic Treaty remains at the heart of the 
     Alliance: Now, therefore, be it

  Mr. ROYCE of California (during the reading). Mr. Speaker, I ask 
unanimous consent to dispense with the reading.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from California?
  There was no objection.
  The amendment to the preamble was agreed to.
  The title of the resolution was amended so as to read: ``A resolution 
expressing support for the North Atlantic Treaty Organization and the 
countries of Central and Eastern Europe.''.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

                          ____________________