S.Amdt. 1609

SA 1609. Mr. COONS submitted an amendment intended to be proposed to
amendment SA 1388 proposed by Mrs. Murray (for herself and Mr. Schumer)
to the bill H.R. 815, to amend title 38, United States Code, to make
certain improvements relating to the eligibility of veterans to receive
reimbursement for emergency treatment furnished through the Veterans
Community Care program, and for other purposes; which was ordered to
lie on the table; as follows:

At the appropriate place, insert the following:
Sec. __.  It is the policy of the United States--
(1) that the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) is
the world's preeminent political and military alliance
committed to democracy and the collective defense of its
members;
(2) that democracies across the alliance face external
threats from authoritarian regimes such as Russia and China
and internal threats from proponents of illiberalism;
(3) to reaffirm the unequivocal support of the United
States for NATO as an alliance founded on democratic
principles;
(4) to reaffirm that, for 74 years, the unity and strength
of NATO has contributed to peace and stability in Europe and
around the world;
(5) that NATO members should consider the commitment to
spend 2 percent of Gross Domestic Product as the lowest
percent contribution to ensure the sustainability,
resilience, and readiness of the alliance;
(6) to emphasize that the NATO alliance should continue to
support Ukraine as it fights for freedom, sovereignty, and
territorial integrity;
(7) to reaffirm the commitment of the United States to meet
obligations as a member of the North Atlantic Treaty, done at
Washington, DC, April 4, 1949, including article 5; and
(8) foreign assistance is in the national security interest
of the United States and that efforts of the United States
and other friendly countries to promote peace and security
continue to require measures of support based upon the
principle of effective self-help and mutual aid.
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