In a decisive move this Wednesday, the United States Senate backed Sweden and Finland’s path to joining NATO, signaling strong bipartisan support for their participation in the Atlantic alliance. The chamber, led by Democrats, approved the accession with a vote of 95 in favor and one against. President Joe Biden welcomed the vote, describing it as a historic moment that underscores America’s enduring bipartisan commitment to NATO and to readying the alliance for current and future challenges. He noted that Sweden and Finland’s accession would bolster NATO’s collective security and deepen the transatlantic partnership.
The Senate also endorsed an amendment calling for all NATO members to spend at least 2% of their gross domestic product on defense by 2024, and to allocate 20% of defense expenditures to major equipment, research, and development. An alternative Republican amendment, aimed at preserving Congress’s authority over the use of military force, was rejected by the Senate.
Approval timelines for new members to join NATO differ by country. In the United States, the process requires a two-thirds vote in the Senate followed by the president’s signature. President Biden forwarded the accession protocol to the senators on July 11, urging ratification as soon as possible because both Sweden and Finland are expected to make clear contributions to the alliance in terms of capabilities and resources. This sentiment aligns with the administration’s view that adding these nations strengthens NATO overall.
Bob Menéndez, the chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and a Democrat, articulated a parallel view during the debate. He emphasized that U.S. backing sends a strong signal in favor of freedom and collective defense. He also highlighted how the Russian invasion of Ukraine has underscored NATO’s vital role in keeping peace and stability in Europe and beyond. The discussion reflected a sense of urgency about the alliance’s unity in the face of evolving security challenges.
Earlier this year, at a NATO summit in Madrid, leaders agreed to begin the admission process for Sweden and Finland. Despite holding temporary observer status, both nations are expected to become full members once all 30 NATO allies approve their access. Sweden and Finland submitted their official applications on May 18, prompted by the security implications of the conflict in Ukraine. The formal accession process was discussed during a gathering of NATO ambassadors in Brussels, with Allied Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg mediating. Turkey initially raised objections, demanding stronger cooperation against groups Ankara regards as terrorist organizations, but a compromise was reached that paved the way for accord and eventual US approval. The end result is a broader coalition with deeper maritime and air capacity to support the Baltic states and the broader European perimeter against potential threats. (Source attribution: NATO press materials and subsequent briefings)
The move to include Sweden and Finland will diversify NATO’s geographic reach, allowing additional sea routes and air corridors to support operations and resilience in the region.
Republican Senator Josh Hawley was the sole senator to vote against the measure. He argued that expansion would impose new obligations on the United States and suggested that strategic attention should focus more on Asia to counter China’s growing influence rather than Europe. His stance highlighted a broader debate within the chamber about where the alliance’s priorities should lie in a rapidly changing geopolitical environment.