Rep. Roy and Rep. Davidson call on NATO countries to step up

WASHINGTON, DC — On Thursday, Representatives Chip Roy (R-TX-21) and Warren Davidson (R-OH-8) introduced a resolution calling on NATO member countries to fulfill their defense spending commitment. 

“America has been providing the lion's share of support for NATO since its inception, and it's long past time for our allies to hold up their end of the bargain,” Rep. Roy said, “Especially now, with families suffering from the effects of crippling, historic levels of inflation, America should not be subsidizing the security of countries that choose to invest in massive welfare states instead of their own defense. We must stand with our allies, and we will. But putting our interests first means making sure that our allies also stand with us in fulfilling the obligations they agreed to.”

North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) member countries have committed to spending two percent of their annual gross domestic product (GDP) on national defense. According to the 2022 Secretary General’s Annual Report, only seven of the 30 NATO member countries met the two percent GDP defense spending obligations in 2022. The report also revealed that the United States accounted for 54 percent of the Allies’ combined GDP and 70 percent of combined defense expenditure. Further, the US has been the largest supporter of Ukraine even though this conflict is taking place in Europe’s backyard.  

“NATO is a defensive alliance first and foremost. Yet, the majority of member countries fail to spend the bare minimum on their own defense,” said Rep. Davidson. “The U.S. should not continue to fund the defense of NATO member countries who choose not to invest in it themselves. Representative Chip Roy and I are focused on putting the interests of America first and holding our NATO allies accountable to their promises.” 

Further, the U.S. has appropriated over $113 billion dollars to Ukraine whereas the entire European Union and its member states have collectively appropriated $68 billion in assistance to Ukraine. 

Read the full resolution here. 

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