[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 20 (Tuesday, January 31, 2023)]
[Senate]
[Page S159]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                                  NATO

  Mr. BOOZMAN. Mr. President, today I rise to highlight the need to 
strengthen our alliances as bad actors around the world continue to 
threaten peace and global stability.
  In August, my Senate colleagues and I took a critical step to bolster 
our defense by ratifying Finland and Sweden as NATO members. This was 
the right action to take. It is time for all remaining NATO member 
countries to follow this example and approve expanding our 
Transatlantic Alliance by adding two very valuable and reliable 
partners.
  In just a few short weeks, we will be marking a grim milestone of the 
1-year anniversary of Russia's unprovoked invasion of Ukraine. Russia's 
brutal actions in Ukraine, coupled with its increasingly escalatory 
rhetoric and continued aggression, have shown us and our allies that we 
must strengthen our collective ability to maintain global stability. 
Given their proximity to Russia, Finland and Sweden are investing in 
their capabilities to prevent a similar attack.
  The Finns have demonstrated their willingness to enhance NATO's 
military strength by significantly increasing military spending above 
NATO's requirements, participating in joint military training 
exercises, and strengthening its air power with upgrades to an F-35 
fleet under the Foreign Military Sales program.
  Finland has been one of NATO's most active partners and a strong 
contributor to NATO-led operations and missions in the Balkans, 
Afghanistan, and Iraq. The Finns have also delivered crucial support to 
Ukraine by providing hundreds of millions of dollars in military aid in 
addition to providing critical humanitarian assistance.
  Finland's large, well-trained ground force and increasingly capable 
air force are interoperable with NATO. The Finns also have extensive 
experience in monitoring Russian activities along their 833-mile shared 
border, and its addition would make defending the Baltic States so much 
easier.
  Earlier this month, I visited Finland and met with defense leaders 
who reaffirmed their commitment to bilateral cooperation and the value 
they would bring to NATO. As a member of NATO, I have no doubt Finland 
would be a net contributor of security, not a taker.
  I strongly urge remaining members to join the U.S. and approve 
Finland's and Sweden's accessions to NATO to confront evolving security 
challenges and the ongoing threat posed by Russia's aggression against 
Ukraine.
  I yield the floor.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Alabama.

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