The publication is reproduced in full below:
EXPRESSING SUPPORT FOR THE SOVEREIGN DECISION OF FINLAND AND SWEDEN TO APPLY TO JOIN THE NORTH ATLANTIC TREATY ORGANIZATION (NATO) AS WELL AS
CALLING ON ALL MEMBERS OF NATO TO RATIFY THE PROTOCOLS OF ACCESSION
SWIFTLY
______
speech of
HON. SHEILA JACKSON LEE
of texas
in the house of representatives
Monday, July 18, 2022
Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H. Res. 1130: Expressing support for the sovereign decision of Finland and Sweden to apply to join the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) as well as calling on all members of NATO to ratify the protocols of accession swiftly.
The resolution expresses support for Finland and Sweden's historic decision to apply to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and opposes any attempt by the Russian government to obstruct Finland and Sweden's decision to apply to join NATO.
The bill also calls on the member states of NATO to formally support the accession of Finland and Sweden into the transatlantic alliance.
Finland and Sweden have worked with the NATO alliance for nearly thirty years, and they are widely regarded as capable security partners.
They joined NATO's Partnership for Peace in 1994 and both contributed personnel to NATO-led operations in Afghanistan, the Balkans, and Iraq.
In 2014, they became two of just six Enhanced Opportunity Partners and have since worked to increase their militaries' ability to operate with NATO forces.
Sweden recently hosted more than a dozen NATO allies and Finland in BALTOPS 22, a major maritime exercise in the Baltic Sea.
Both nations are EU members and solid democracies with sophisticated economies, secure borders, and highly advanced militaries.
There is no question that Finland and Sweden are well-equipped to join NATO.
There is also no question that Russia's aggression will not diminish.
With a reported death toll of over 10,000 soldiers and civilians, there is no guarantee that nearby nations are safe from mass destruction.
Russia has a long history of invading and annexing bordering countries, which is all the more reason for fortifying the NATO alliance.
We must do everything in our power to put an end to the violence continually caused by Russia and bring back peace to the region.
Finnish and Swedish membership in NATO will stretch NATO's borders and bolster our collective defenses in northern Europe.
Finland shares an 830 mile border with Russia, which would more than double Russia's border with NATO.
Sweden's defense budget for 2022 is estimated to total $8.6 billion, while Finland's is $6.3 billion, according to the Global Firepower Index.
Both Sweden and Finland have announced plans to dramatically boost their military spending in response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
I urge all my colleagues to support H. Res. 1130: Expressing support for the sovereign decision of Finland and Sweden to apply to join the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) as well as calling on all members of NATO to ratify the protocols of accession swiftly.
SOURCE: Congressional Record Vol. 168, No. 122(1), Congressional Record Vol. 168, No. 122(2)
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