{"id":27891,"date":"2018-07-10T22:40:17","date_gmt":"2018-07-10T22:40:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/defensenews\/uncategorized\/2018\/07\/10\/us-senate-votes-to-defend-nato-as-trump-attacks\/"},"modified":"2026-08-07T22:22:18","modified_gmt":"2026-08-07T22:22:18","slug":"us-senate-votes-to-defend-nato-as-trump-attacks","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/defensenews\/smr\/nato-priorities\/2018\/07\/10\/us-senate-votes-to-defend-nato-as-trump-attacks\/","title":{"rendered":"US Senate votes to defend NATO as Trump attacks alliance"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

WASHINGTON \u2014 Lawmakers in Washington worked quickly Tuesday to set legislative guardrails in support of NATO as President Donald Trump, who has repeatedly bashed<\/a> the alliance, arrived in Europe for a NATO summit<\/a> and meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin later in the week.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hours after Trump landed in Brussels, the Senate passed a non-binding measure, 97-2, that expresses support for NATO, its mutual self-defense clause and calls on the administration to rush its whole-of-government strategy to counter Russia\u2019s meddling in the U.S. and other democracies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With the established global order on shaky footing, Trump\u2019s weeklong trip to Europe will test already strained bonds with some of America\u2019s closest allies, then put him face to face with the leader of the country whose electoral interference was meant to help put him in office.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Senate Armed Services Committee ranking member Sen. Jack Reed, D-R.I., proposed the measure, which is technically a motion to instruct lawmakers who will reconcile the House and Senate defense policy bills for 2019. Republican Sens. Rand Paul and Mike Lee were the only senators to vote against it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In a Senate floor speech Tuesday, Reed callled America\u2019s commitment to NATO \u201cironclad\u201d and Trump\u2019s meeting with Putin \u201cill-advised.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI join my colleagues this afternoon in support of the motion which sends an important message to our allies, our partners, and our adversaries that the United States is unwavering in its support of Europe free from the threat of external aggression and in support of the rules-based international order that has promoted international security for decades,\u201d Reed said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Senate Foreign Relations Committee was expected Wednesday to debate a separate measure supporting NATO. One proposed amendment to it, from panel chairman Bob Corker, R-Tenn., would reaffirm support of Ukraine\u2019s sovereignty and condemn \u201cRussia\u2019s illegal invasion and attempted annexation of Crimea.\u201d A second proposed amendment from Sen. Robert Menendez, the panel\u2019s ranking member, would reaffirm support for U.S. sanctions against Russia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trump\u2019s wavering on NATO has led allies to question America\u2019s trustworthiness, Menendez, D-N.J., said in a blistering floor speech.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIn the absence of U.S. presidential leadership, I want to make clear to our allies abroad, as well as our adversaries in the Kremlin, as to where members in the United States Senate stand,\u201d said Menendez, adding that the chamber stands for the rule of law, an international order based on democratic values and with its allies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cPresident Trump\u2019s slap-dash approach to foreign policy, borne out of heated campaign rallies, instead of thoughtful Cabinet meetings, has real implications for our national security,\u201d Menendez said. \u201cSuch reckless behavior by President Trump has weakened the United States on the global stage and created a more dangerous world for our citizens and our troops serving abroad.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Menendez ripped Trump for saying his meeting with Putin would be the easiest of his four-country trip, as a sign Trump \u201cwould rather deal with an autocrat than negotiate with democratically elected leaders.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cLet\u2019s be clear: Meeting with a thug intent on undermining American democratic values should not be easy and it should not be chummy,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\t