by John Hanson | Political Insider
Former President Donald Trump once wanted to withdraw the U.S. from the obsolete NATO alliance. 2024 presidential candidate Trump has said the same thing.
So Republicans in Congress, rather than securing the border, cutting spending, cutting taxes, reducing red tape, slashing regulations, shoring up the industrial base, or anything else useful, spent their time helping Democrats make sure he can’t do it if he wins.
Including some Republicans who have claimed to be ‘America First’.
Congress approves bill barring any president from unilaterally withdrawing from NATO https://t.co/iHD8RKEra7— The Hill (@thehill) December 14, 2023
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Congress Approves Pro-NATO Legislation
The Hill reports:
The measure, spearheaded by Sens. Tim Kaine (D-Va.) and Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), was included in the annual National Defense Authorization Act, which passed out of the House on Thursday and is expected to be signed by President Biden.
The provision underscores Congress’s commitment to the NATO alliance that was a target of former President Trump’s ire during his term in office.
Some normally reliable “MAGA” votes, like Rep. Lauren Boebert, voted in favor of this measure, baffling supporters.
So Lauren how could you vote yes on NDAA and betray the Constitution and the American people? This is disgusting and not America First. Who are you?— Remnant (@Freedom_Lives7) December 14, 2023
This Is ALL About Trump
Criticizing NATO in October, Trump reportedly called the alliance a “paper tiger.”
With the U.S. being by far the largest member nation of NATO, Trump has said repeatedly that it was time to put America First and insist that Europe begin pulling their weight.
Florida Senator Marco Rubio was far from the only Republican behind this bill.
After years of screaming about FISA abuses against Trump, here are some self-declared “MAGA” Republicans who just voted to renew FISA 702 surveillance:
Max Miller (OH)
Lauren Boebert (CO)
Mike Kelly (PA)
August Pfluger (TX)
Elise Stefanik (NY)
Mike Waltz (FL)
Ryan Zinke (MT)— Michael Tracey (@mtracey) December 14, 2023
It should be noted that while Congress’s constitutional role is to declare war, it hasn’t done so since World War II. Few in Congress seem concerned about that.
But on Thursday they voted to make sure a president couldn’t singularly take America out of organization in which belonging likely means more war.