[Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 104 (Monday, June 22, 2026)]
[Senate]
[Page S2988]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

  SA 5887. Mr. TILLIS submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by 
him to the bill S. 4784, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 
2027 for military activities of the Department of Defense, for military 
construction, and for defense activities of the Department of Energy, 
to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for 
other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

        At the end of subtitle C of title XII, add the following:

     SEC. 1230. UNITED STATES SENATE NATO OBSERVER GROUP.

       (a) Establishment.--There is established within the Senate 
     a group of Senators to address and advise on matters relating 
     to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, to be known as the 
     ``Senate NATO Observer Group''.
       (b) Functions.--The Senate NATO Observer Group shall--
       (1) serve as a forum for addressing matters relating to the 
     North Atlantic Treaty Organization that fall within the 
     jurisdictions of 2 or more committees of the Senate;
       (2) advise the Senate on issues relating to the North 
     Atlantic Treaty Organization, including North Atlantic Treaty 
     Organization enlargement; and
       (3) with respect to any matter involving the North Atlantic 
     Treaty Organization and the United States Government, 
     particularly during negotiations on North Atlantic Treaty 
     Organization enlargement, engage in close interactions 
     between and among the executive branch, the Senate, the North 
     Atlantic Treaty Organization, any other member country of the 
     North Atlantic Treaty Organization, and any country that is a 
     candidate for membership in the North Atlantic Treaty 
     Organization.
       (c) Appointment of Members.--
       (1) In general.--Beginning in the 120th Congress, not later 
     than 60 days after the date on which of the first session of 
     each Congress convenes, the majority leader and the minority 
     leader of the Senate shall each appoint to the Senate NATO 
     Observer Group not more than 7 Senators.
       (2) Co-chairs.--Of the members appointed under paragraph 
     (1), the majority leader and the minority leader of the 
     Senate shall each appoint 1 co-chairperson of the Senate NATO 
     Observer Group.
       (3) Ex officio members.--The Senate NATO Observer Group 
     shall include, as ex officio members, the chair and ranking 
     member of each of the Committee on Foreign Relations, the 
     Committee on Armed Services, and the Committee on 
     Appropriations of the Senate.
       (d) Use of Foreign Currencies.--Beginning on the date of 
     the enactment of this Act, the co-chairs of the Senate NATO 
     Observer Group are authorized to use funds in accordance with 
     the provisions of law relating to foreign currencies, as 
     codified in section 1754 of title 22, United States Code, for 
     activities critical to carrying out the functions of the 
     Senate NATO Observer Group.
       (e) Report.--Not less frequently than annually, the Senate 
     NATO Observer Group shall submit to the majority leader and 
     minority leader of the Senate and the chairperson and ranking 
     member of the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate a 
     report on the activities undertaken by the Senate NATO 
     Observer Group during the preceding fiscal year, including 
     with respect to travel, legislative efforts, and public 
     diplomacy initiatives.
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