Reaffirming America’s Commitment to the NATO Alliance’s Collective Defense (H. Res. 397)

What is H. Res. 397?

(Updated January 27, 2020)

This resolution would reaffirm the U.S. commitment to the collective defense of North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) allies under Article 5 of the treaty. It also expresses strong support for the 2014 decision of alliance members to spend at least two percent of their national gross domestic product (GDP) on defense by 2024 and welcomes Montenegro as NATO’s 29th member. The resolution would also condemn threats to the sovereignty, territorial integrity, freedom and democracy of any NATO ally.

As a simple resolution, this legislation wouldn’t have the force of law or be considered by the Senate if passed by the House.

Argument in favor

As a leader within NATO, the U.S. should reaffirm its commitment to the alliance’s collective defense to ensure that there is no confusion about America’s willingness to defend its allies.

Argument opposed

The U.S. should only honor its obligations to defend NATO allies under the treaty’s Article 5 if those members are meeting their defense spending commitment.

Impact

NATO allies, especially Montenegro; and the House.

Cost of H. Res. 397

A CBO cost estimate is unavailable.

Additional Info

In-Depth: House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-WI) introduced this bill, which is cosponsored by Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) and other bipartisan leaders in the House, in order to reaffirm America’s commitment to the collective defense of its NATO allies. One such cosponsor, House Democratic Whip Steny Hoyer (D-MD), said:

“I want to thank Majority Leader McCarthy for working with me and a bipartisan group of Members to introduce a resolution reaffirming America’s commitment to Article 5’s collective defense provision of the North Atlantic Treaty.  Our alliance must leave no doubt about our readiness to come to one another’s common defense.  With Russia continuing its aggression in Eastern Europe and its cyberwar against the world’s democracies, NATO is as relevant as it ever was during the Cold War.  I hope the House will take a strong, bipartisan vote to pass this resolution soon.”

This legislation has the support of five bipartisan cosponsors in the House, including three Democrats and two Republicans.

Of Note: After being criticized for not forcefully asserting the U.S. commitment to NATO's Article 5, President Donald Trump said at a June 2017 press conference that "absolutely I would be committed to Article 5." Article 5 has only been invoked on one occasion, after the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.

Media:

• Cosponsoring Rep. Steny Hoyer (D-MD) Press Release
  
• The Hill