Bipartisan lawmakers introduce act to require congressional approval for US withdrawal from NATO

US Reps. Jimmy Panetta and Joe Wilson introduced bipartisan legislation Thursday that would require congressional approval before a president could initiate the process of withdrawing the US from NATO.

The NATO Shield Act would establish a statutory framework requiring congressional oversight of any presidential effort to begin a withdrawal from the alliance.

Under the NATO treaty, a member state can withdraw one year after providing formal notice. The legislation introduced by Panetta, a Democrat from the state of California, and Wilson, a South Carolina Republican, would place additional congressional requirements on any US decision to begin the process.

“NATO is one of the most consequential and successful security alliances in the history of the world,” said Panetta, arguing that Congress should have a role in decisions affecting the alliance. "At a time of growing threats and global instability, the bipartisan NATO Shield Act would strengthen existing guardrails and ensure that any effort to withdraw the United States from NATO is subject to Congressional oversight and approval."

Wilson, who is co-leading the legislation, said the measure would ensure that any decision that could weaken the alliance receives "the full consideration" from Congress.

The bill builds on Panetta’s previous efforts to establish congressional limits on unilateral US withdrawal from NATO with the annual National Defense Authorization Act.

Under the proposed legislation, a president would be required to consult with Congress before taking any action toward withdrawing the US from NATO. The administration would also have to submit a formal report to Congress within 48 hours of any withdrawal action.

Withdrawal proceedings would automatically terminate after 30 days unless Congress affirmatively approves their continuation.

The measure would also prohibit federal funds from being used to implement an unauthorized withdrawal and establish expedited congressional procedures for considering resolutions related to a withdrawal.