The Senate votes overwhelmingly for Sweden and Finland to join NATO
The Senate has approved a treaty allowing Sweden and Finland to join NATO.
The treaty, which received bipartisan support, passed Wednesday by a 95-1 vote in favor of expanding the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, The New York Times reported. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, DN.Y., and Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, RK.Y., expressed support for ratifying the treaty and for the organization’s growth.
Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., was the only senator to vote against the treaty, the Times reported. Late. Rand Paul, R-Ky., voted absent.
“Our NATO alliance is the foundation that has guaranteed democracy in the Western world since the end of World War II,” Schumer said.
Sweden and Finland applied for NATO membership after Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24, fearing their nations could be targeted next, according to a statement released by United States Department of Defense.
Finland shares a border with Russia.
Historically, both Sweden and Finland have remained neutral or worried about joining armed conflicts. But since Russian President Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine, the two countries have made historic changes in their foreign policies and sought to join the international defense organization.
All 30 members of the alliance must vote on the same resolution for Sweden’s and Finland’s entry into NATO to become official. Once all members have ratified the treaty, NATO will consist of 32 member states.
Hawley protested the ratification, saying the US should be more focused on fighting China than Russia, The hill reported.
On the floor of the Senate, Hawley criticized the decision, stating that those who support it are misguided and that while it is in the best interests of Sweden and Finland, it is not in the interests of the United States to join the alliance. He urged Europe to defend itself and rely less on the United States
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