Senate Votes 95-1-1 to Ratify NATO Membership for Sweden, Finland
Summary from the AllSides News Team
A bipartisan Senate voted overwhelmingly Wednesday to approve a resolution to ratify membership for Sweden and Finland in NATO.
The move aims to strengthen the organization amid Russia's war in Ukraine. The vote was 95-1-1, with Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) voting "present" and Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) as the only "no" vote. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said the move "strengthens NATO even further and is particularly needed in light of recent Russian aggression." NATO formalized its invitation for Sweden and Finland to join at the end of June, and the decision now goes to the 30 member states' parliaments and legislatures for final approval.
Hawley explained his opposition in an op-ed, writing that while "America shouldn't abandon NATO," we "must do less in Europe (and elsewhere) in order to prioritize China and Asia." Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) disagreed, saying that "closer cooperation with these partners will help us counter Russia and China."
The news was covered prominently across the spectrum, with many highlighting Hawley's dissent and how it bothered other Republicans.
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Hawley is only senator to vote against Finland, Sweden NATO membership
Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) was the only senator to vote against a resolution on Wednesday backing Finland’s and Sweden’s entry to NATO.
The Senate approved the resolution in a 95-1 vote. One senator, Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.), voted present.
The resolution backs Finland and Sweden joining NATO. The House approved a resolution in a bipartisan 394-18 vote last month that formally supported the two Nordic countries joining the military alliance. All opposition in the House came from the Republican Party.
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Senate ratifies Sweden, Finland bids to join NATO amid Russia's war on Ukraine
The U.S. Senate on Wednesday officially approved efforts by Sweden and Finland to join the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, in a rebuke to Russia amid its war on Ukraine.
The resolution passed 95-1 with Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., as the only dissenting vote and Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., voting "present." The Senate needed two-thirds of the body to vote in favor of ratification, and it will now head to President Biden to submit to NATO.
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From the Left
Senate votes to ratify NATO membership for Sweden and Finland
The Senate voted on Wednesday to approve a resolution to ratify membership for Sweden and Finland in NATO, a historic vote aimed at strengthening the defense bloc amid Russia's war in Ukraine.
NATO formalized its invitation to Sweden and Finland to join the alliance at the end of June and the decision must go to the 30 member states' parliaments and legislatures for final ratification.
President Joe Biden sent the protocols for ratification to the Senate in July, paving the way for the vote, which needed to be approved by two-thirds of the Senate...
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