Following the Russian invasion of Ukraine, various other countries have shown interest in joining NATO. Sweden and Finland were important among them.
The U.S. voted 95-1 this afternoon. The Senate authorized NATO’s greatest membership increase in over 20 years with the addition of both Scandinavian nations. There are perhaps a dozen nations remaining to authorize their admittance after the United States.
Following the Russian invasion of Ukraine, various other countries have shown interest in joining NATO. Sweden and Finland were important among them.
Oooof — McConnell with a not-so-subtle dig at Hawley, who is voting no on Finland/Sweden joining NATO.
— Andrew Desiderio (@AndrewDesiderio) August 3, 2022
“If any senator is looking for a defensible excuse to vote no, I wish them good luck. This is a slam dunk for national security that deserves unanimous bipartisan support.”
The U.S. voted 95-1 this afternoon. The Senate authorized NATO’s greatest membership increase in over 20 years with the addition of both Scandinavian nations. There are perhaps a dozen nations remaining to authorize their admittance after the United States.
The United States has strong bipartisan support for including Sweden and Finland in NATO. Since the commencement of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s horrific assault on Ukraine, Congress has been quick to condemn Russia. Several military aid agreements to Ukraine have recently been authorized by Congress.
Wow. Sen. Cotton is going after Sen. Hawley, though not by name, for voting to allow North Macedonia into NATO in 2019 but now opposing Finland/Sweden.
— Andrew Desiderio (@AndrewDesiderio) August 3, 2022
“It would be strange indeed,” Cotton says. “I would love the hear the defense of such a curious vote.”
The only opposing vote came from Missouri’s Republican U.S. Senator Josh. Senator Rand Paul of Kentucky abstained. Hawley abstained from the vote because he believed that the United States should be concentrating on China rather than European matters. He outlines his opinion that it encourages needless American spending in the Russian invasion of Ukraine in an opinion piece for National Interest.
However, Hawley’s decision drew criticism from Republican colleagues Tom Cotton and Mitch McConnell.
The U.S. has already contributed significantly to the military effort in Ukraine, and more will follow. With the exception of Hawley, many conservatives have condemned American expenditure there, but the majority of Republicans supported the admission of the two new nations to NATO.
