US House adopts resolution to increase support for Finland and Sweden’s accession to NATO
The US House of Representatives has adopted a resolution expressing Washington’s support for Finland’s and Sweden’s accession to NATO. The US legislators approved the resolution exactly two months after the two Nordic countries submitted their official applications to NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg to become part of the military alliance. The resolution was adopted by 394-18 votes in the US House of Representatives, The litter reported.
Only leaders of the Republican Party voted against the support for Finland and Sweden to become part of NATO. In addition, two Democratic and 17 Republican leaders did not vote for the resolution. The US representatives who voted against the resolution were Mary Miller, Madison Cawthorn, Ralph Norman, Ben Cline, Morgan Griffith, Thomas Massie, Bob Good, Marjorie Taylor Greene, Matt Rosendale, Andy Biggs, Michael Cloud, Warren Davidson, Matt Gaetz, Chip Roy , Jefferson Van Drew. Dan Bishop, Lauren Boebert and Tom McClintock, according to The litter Report. The resolution that has been adopted expresses support for Finland’s and Sweden’s decision to apply for NATO membership. It further calls on the member states to support Finland and Sweden in joining the military alliance.
House majority leaders express support for the resolution
Furthermore, the resolution opposes all efforts by Russia to respond to the decision of Finland and Sweden to become part of the military alliance. It further calls on members of NATO to work for the defense commitment made at the 2014 Wales Summit. . House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer has supported the resolution during the debate on the House Floor. Steny Hoyer has stated that “two extraordinary new members” will become part of Europe and stressed that the two nations will add “significant resources to NATO’s collective defense”, according to the news report. He argued that the nation’s accession to NATO would result in the Baltic region becoming “safer” against the Russian offensive.
Finland & Sweden’s NATO application
It is relevant to note here that the United States has offered support to Finland and Sweden ever since they submitted their applications to become part of NATO. However, Turkey first opposed the application from the two Nordic countries and accused them of supporting the Kurdistan Workers’ Party, or PKK, which Ankara considers a “terrorist organization”. However, Turkey later agreed to raise its objections to Finland’s and Sweden’s NATO application. After Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan agreed to support Finland’s and Sweden’s application, US President Joe Biden congratulated the three nations for signing a trilateral agreement paving the way for NATO members to invite the two Nordic nations to become part of the military alliance.
Image: AP