HR6508-119

What This Bill Does

The NATO Act, titled the Not A Trusted Organization Act, is a withdrawal and funding prohibition bill. Its findings argue that NATO original Cold War mission has become irrelevant, that expansion has affected Russian security perceptions, that many NATO members have not met the 2014 Wales Pledge to spend 2 percent of GDP on defense, that Europe is not a priority theater for United States engagement, and that United States membership is inconsistent with national security interests. The operative withdrawal section directs the President, consistent with Article 13 of the North Atlantic Treaty, to give notice of denunciation within 30 days after enactment for purposes of withdrawing the United States from NATO. Another section states that the Act satisfies section 1250A of the fiscal year 2024 NDAA, which requires congressional authorization for suspension, termination, denunciation, or withdrawal from the North Atlantic Treaty. The funding section prohibits any funds authorized, appropriated, or otherwise made available by any Act from being used directly or indirectly for United States contributions to NATO common-funded budgets, including the civil budget, military budget, and Security Investment Program. A severability section preserves the remainder if any provision or application is held unconstitutional.

Who Benefits and How

Executive branch officials seeking authority to withdraw from NATO benefit because the bill supplies congressional authorization and directs the President to issue notice under Article 13. Federal budget accounts benefit in a narrow fiscal sense because United States contributions to NATO common-funded budgets would stop. Lawmakers who want a statutory end to NATO funding benefit from an explicit no-funds rule. Defense planners focused on non-European theaters benefit if resources and attention are shifted away from NATO common funding.

Who Bears the Burden and How

NATO common-funded programs bear the direct funding burden because the bill bars United States contributions to the civil budget, military budget, and Security Investment Program. NATO allies and European security partners face strategic uncertainty from a required United States withdrawal notice. Defense Department and State Department officials must manage treaty denunciation, alliance consequences, and budget execution under the funding ban. Congress and courts may need to handle disputes over severability or application of the withdrawal and funding provisions.

Key Provisions

• Requires the President to give notice of denunciation of the North Atlantic Treaty within 30 days after enactment.
• Provides congressional authorization for suspension, termination, denunciation, or withdrawal under section 1250A of the fiscal year 2024 NDAA.
• Prohibits any federal funds from supporting United States contributions to NATO common-funded budgets.
• Applies the funding ban to NATO civil budget, military budget, and Security Investment Program contributions.
• Provides severability if a provision or application is held unconstitutional.