[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 59 (Thursday, April 4, 2019)]
[Senate]
[Pages S2261-S2262]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                                  NATO

  Mrs. SHAHEEN. Mr. President, I come to the floor today following our 
colleague Senator Tillis to join him in talking about the importance of 
NATO and expressing our deep appreciation for the North Atlantic Treaty 
Organization.
  Senator Tillis and I are the cochairs of the newly established Senate 
NATO Observer Group, which builds on the effort that was started back 
in the 1990s, by Tom Daschle and Trent Lott, to address the expansion 
of NATO, following the fall of the Berlin Wall. Our task is not just to 
shepherd through the Senate any changes in NATO that require Senate 
approval, but it is also to remind all of us and to remind the American 
public just how important NATO is.
  Over the last seven decades, the NATO alliance has stood by its 
members in the darkest hours, including in Afghanistan, after the 
United States was attacked on September 11.
  As Secretary General Stoltenberg reminded us yesterday, the only time 
article 5, the mutual aid clause of the NATO charter, has been invoked 
was after September 11, after the United States was attacked by 
terrorists.
  Our Transatlantic bond has been critical to the United States and 
NATO, and, in particular, it has sustained a period of unprecedented 
global security and stability. While people may not recognize it, every 
day the United States sees the benefit of NATO. Whether we need to use 
NATO bases to evacuate American troops from conflict or to ensure that 
American goods and people travel safely across the Atlantic Ocean, NATO 
plays a critical role.
  As NATO marks its 70th anniversary--today, in fact--the fact is that 
the alliance makes us stronger around the world and safer at home. So 
it is no wonder that Americans are very supportive of this 
organization. Any implication that Americans don't like or understand 
NATO is just simply wrong.
  This week the Pew Research Center unveiled research to show that 
nearly 8 in 10 Americans, or 77 percent of Americans, including large 
majorities in both the Democratic Party and the Republican Party, agree 
that being a member of NATO is good for the United States.
  We have also seen that the Chicago Council on Global Affairs has 
recorded a steady increase in NATO favorability across generations of 
Americans. Even the millennials, the generation born between 1981 and 
1996, which are now the largest voting bloc in the United States, value 
our alliances, and 72 percent back the United States' contribution to 
NATO.
  Boosted by these numbers, Congress has been more active than at any 
time in my memory in expressing its support for NATO. In 2017 and 2018, 
Congress took more votes in support of the United States' enduring 
commitment to article 5 and NATO than at any time since the fall of the 
Soviet Union. That is why Senators Tillis and I reestablished the 
Senate NATO Observer Group last year. Since then, we have enjoyed a 
diverse and active membership across the Republican and Democratic 
Parties, as well as the enduring support of the Senate's leadership--
both Senator McConnell, the majority leader, and Senator Schumer, the 
Democratic leader.
  Further, Congress continues to put its word into action by allocating 
significant levels of funding to help Europe deter threats that emanate 
from NATO's eastern and southern borders, already having provided $6.5 
billion in the last year alone for the European Deterrence Initiative.
  I have no doubt that as the Senate prepares to provide its advice and 
consent to NATO's 30th member, North Macedonia, Members of Congress 
will, once again, rally to NATO's side and push forward on initiatives 
to further strengthen NATO.
  I should just call out the Republic of North Macedonia, as well as 
the country of Greece, for reaching an agreement around the name change 
for North Macedonia that both countries have agreed to and that the 
Parliaments of both countries have supported.
  So as China and Russia struggle to maintain allies and resort to 
coercion and force to keep countries in their sphere, NATO has proven 
to be an enduring American advantage in an uncertain world.
  Our NATO allies continue to magnify the strength of our military, and 
they stand ready to protect us and protect our shared interests and 
values worldwide. For this reason, I thank our allies for what they 
have done for the United States and for the people of Europe who are 
part of our partner nations.
  While we may have our differences, we will always remain stronger 
with allies. As the Secretary General said yesterday, ``it is good to 
have friends.''
  I yield the floor.
  I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The bill clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order 
for the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

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