The House passed the bipartisan-sponsored measure by a vote of 394-18, with all opposition coming from the Republican Party. Two Democrats and 17 Republicans did not vote. Eighteen House Republicans opposed the measure: Reps. Andy Biggs (Ariz.), Dan Bishop (NC), Lauren Boebert (Colo.), Madison Cawthorn (NC), Ben Cline (Va.), Michael Cloud (Texas), Warren Davidson (Ohio), Matt Gaetz (Fla.), Bob Goode (Benc.), Marjorie Taylor Green (Ga.), Morgan Griffith (Va.), Thomas Massey (Ky.), Tom McClintock (Calif.), Mary Miller (Ill.) , Ralph Norman (SC), Matt Rosendale (Mont.), Chip Roy (Texas) and Jefferson Van Drew (NJ). The measure specifically demonstrates support for Finland and Sweden’s NATO membership — which they applied for in May — and urges member states to formally support their push to join the alliance. In addition, the resolution opposes any attempts by the Russian Federation to react negatively to the decision of the two Nordic countries to join the military alliance and urges NATO countries to fulfill their defense spending commitment of 2% of gross domestic product (GDP). which was agreed to at the Wales summit in 2014. The passage of the measure came exactly two months after Finland and Sweden applied to join NATO and less than three weeks after the military alliance invited the two countries to join the group. The push for Sweden and Finland to join NATO intensified after Russia launched its invasion of Ukraine on February 24. Moscow has since continued its offensive. Massie said on Twitter Monday after the vote that “America cannot afford to subsidize the defense of socialist Europe, and neither should we. Tonight, I voted against the House resolution urging the expansion of NATO to Sweden and Finland.” His tweet included a link to a Newsweek article from March that said only eight of NATO’s 30 countries met the guideline of spending 2% of their GDP on defense in 2021 – a fact reflected in its annual report Secretary General of NATO. Massie and other GOP lawmakers who opposed Monday’s resolution voted against measures related to Russia, Ukraine and the invasion in the past. In May, Massie and Greene voted “no” on three bills related to the invasion. One forced foreign entities and individuals under US authority to comply with sanctions on Russia and Belarus. Another called for making it US policy to bar Russian officials from meetings and activities at the Group of 20 and other financial institutions. The third would prohibit the Treasury Secretary from engaging in transactions related to the exchange of special drawing rights held by Russia or Belarus. Belarus has supported Russia throughout its invasion of Ukraine. Lawmakers also joined 54 Republicans that day in voting down a bill to suspend multilateral debt payments owed by Ukraine. Trump responds to Pulitzer’s rejection of request to revoke reporting awards House passes resolution supporting Finland and Sweden joining NATO. 18 Republicans voted “no” In April, Massie, Greene, Cawthorn and Roy joined four progressive lawmakers in opposing a measure urging President Biden to seize assets from sanctioned Russian oligarchs and use the money to help Kyiv in his battle with Moscow. Also in April, 10 Republican House members — including Massie, Greene, Biggs, Bishop, Davidson, Gaetz and Norman — voted against the Ukraine Lend-Lease bill, which sought to make it easier for the US to send military aid to Ukraine during Russia. invasion.
