National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2017

Floor Speech

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Ms. FRANKEL of Florida. Mr. Chair, this amendment includes my provision expressing Congress's strong support of the United States' continued leadership in one of the world's most important partnerships--The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). President Obama has called NATO ``the most successful alliance in human history.'' That's because NATO is rooted in the bedrock principle of collective defense--that we are stronger together than we are apart. This principle is built on the common values of the 28 members-- democracy, freedom, and self-government.

Today, more than 18,000 troops are promoting these values in six NATO operations. From assisting Afghan security forces to defending against Russian expansionism, NATO is instrumental in advancing global security and democracy. I've been privileged to help represent the United States at the NATO Parliamentary Assembly for the past three years, where I engage with lawmakers from our NATO partners on today's pressing security challenges.

Some have called NATO obsolete. They are wrong. NATO could not be more relevant today given the dynamic threats we and our allies face. The United States' continued leadership is key to NATO's ability to address the evolving threats of the 21st century. I urge adoption of the amendment.

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