SLC Times

As Washington hosts this year's NATO Summit, Senator Mike Lee (R-UT) is set to introduce a series of bills addressing the strategic direction of NATO and the long-standing imbalance in defense spending. The summit marks NATO's 75th anniversary, prompting reflection on the alliance's operational readiness and financial posture.

"European capitals have grown accustomed to U.S.-subsidized security, allowing them to dictate policy without bearing the risks or costs," said Senator Lee. "This arrangement has been perpetuated out of deference to the so-called 'rules-based international order.' It's time for Congress to remind the alliance—and the Biden administration—that it holds the power to make treaties, extend NATO membership, and conduct oversight of our commitments abroad."

Senator Lee's legislative agenda during the summit includes:

**Resolution Opposing Security Guarantees for Ukraine**

This resolution condemns the Biden administration's recent 10-year bilateral security agreement with Ukraine. It asserts that the agreement has no legal force without Senate ratification and rejects it as a "bridge" to Ukraine's NATO membership. Introduced on June 20, Senator Lee will call for unanimous consent and invites additional cosponsors.

**Prohibition on Ukraine NATO Membership**

This bill amends the Mutual Security Act of 1954 to stipulate that initiating an accession process for Ukraine will be grounds for immediate U.S. withdrawal from NATO. Senator Lee emphasizes this bill is necessary to prevent further escalation and undue U.S. commitments.

**Allied Burden Sharing Report Act**

Despite being required by the 1985 NDAA, DOD has not consistently reported on allied defense contributions since the early 2000s. This act mandates the Department of Defense prepare an annual report on defense spending and contributions of all 59 U.S. allies.

The report will include:

- Defense spending as a nominal figure and percentage of GDP

- Contributions to military operations in line with cooperative defense agreements

- Limitations placed on using such contributions

**NATO Burden Sharing Report Act**

Focusing solely on current and prospective NATO member countries, this act requires DOD to annually report on:

- Defense spending as a nominal figure and percentage of GDP

- A description of each member's hard vs. soft power contributions for Ukraine

- Analysis of defense industrial base health and comparative advantages

- Size and structure of armed forces

- Areas of reliance on allied assets

- Foreign Military Sales (FMS) deliveries or contracts in the previous year

- Changes in defense spending over the previous year

- Anticipated future spending

"As NATO gathers on our soil, we have the opportunity to demand equitable burden sharing and make it clear that Ukraine's membership cannot be on the table," added Senator Lee. "These bills are essential to ensuring that the United States is not unduly burdened by an alliance that refuses to pull its weight or come to grips with strategic realities."

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