The Senate voted on Wednesday to admit Sweden and Finland to NATO.
The conclave they voted to ratify the applications of Finland and Sweden to join the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). The two northern European countries sought to join the defense group after Russia invaded Ukraine.
Every country should validate Application of Sweden and Finland to join NATO.
The Senate overwhelmingly approved the petition for both countries 95-1. Democrats and Republicans overwhelmingly approved the measure, with Sen. Josh Hawley (R-MO) voting no and Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) voting yes.
The Senate passed before the confirmation vote an amendment proposed by Paul that would have stipulated that Article 5 of the North Atlantic Treaty would not supersede Congress’ exclusive power to declare war. The conclave turned down the motion, 10-87.
Republicans did not support the ratification of Sweden and Finland’s application at all.
Sen. Josh Hawley (R-MO) drew the ire of his Republican colleagues when he announced Monday that he would oppose Sweden and Finland joining NATO.
In his article on National Interest, Hawley wrote that expanding NATO would force the United States to defend more countries at a time when America must realign its stance toward containing an expanding China. He also claimed that many European NATO members are not meeting their NATO obligations to spend 2% of their Gross Domestic Product (GDP) on defence.
Hawley said in a Senate speech before the vote that America should focus on China, not European defense:
Today’s vote on NATO expansion presents a simple choice: either we do more in Europe – more troops, more resources, more spending – or we focus on our #1 rival, China. We cannot prioritize both
Today’s vote on NATO expansion presents a simple choice: either we do more in Europe – more troops, more resources, more spending – or we focus on our #1 rival, China. We cannot prioritize both pic.twitter.com/DJdU0uU8Br
— Josh Hawley (@HawleyMO) August 3, 2022
The NATO vote represents the latest divergence between Senate Republicans who prefer a more traditional Republican hawkish view of foreign policy, and those who favor a less interventionist foreign policy.
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) he said before the vote, “If any senator finds a valid excuse to vote no, I wish them the best of luck.”
Other Senate Republicans were critical of Hawley’s stance against NATO expansion.
Senator Tom Cotton (R-AR) were found It is “strange” that Hawley would oppose Finland and Sweden joining NATO while endorsing North Macedonia and Montenegro in the organization.
“I think it’s wrong. We do not defeat China by retreating from the rest of the world. We beat China by standing with our allies against our enemies,” said Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX).
Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL) wrote in an op-ed: “A stronger NATO allows America to focus on the threat of Communist China.
Hawley and ten other Senate Republicans voted against giving $40 billion in aid to Ukraine.
Hawley remained steadfast in his support for realigning America’s foreign policy.
“American security. Protecting American workers. Defending US jobs. Securing American Prosperity. And I’m afraid some people in this town have lost sight of that,” Hawley said on the floor.
.@HawleyMO: American foreign policy must be about “American security. Protecting American workers. Protecting American jobs. Securing American Prosperity.
And I’m afraid some in this town have lost sight of that.” pic.twitter.com/6aZwLGjSCS
— Abigail Marone 🇺🇸 (@abigailmarone) August 3, 2022
Sean Moran is a congressional reporter for Breitbart News. Follow him on Twitter @SeanMoran3.
