Hoyer Statement on the 75th Anniversary of NATO

WASHINGTON, DC — Congressman Steny H. Hoyer (MD-05) released the following statement today marking the 75th Anniversary of the North Atlantic Treaty signing, establishing NATO: 

“Today, 75 years after its founding, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) remains just as crucial to what President Harry Truman described as the 'democratic counter-offensive which inspires in the people of the world a sense of their own destiny as free men.' We have been a proud member of NATO all these years because we know that the best way to ensure international peace and prosperity is through mutual security and cooperation.
 
“We mark this anniversary at another inflection point for NATO. In the two years since Vladimir Putin's criminal invasion of Ukraine, NATO expanded to include Sweden and Finland, and our alliance continues to show tremendous resolve in aiding our Ukrainian friends. Some members of the far-right, however, have sought to undermine this unity. Former President Trump even stated he would not interfere if Putin attacked one of our NATO allies, allowing the Russians to do 'whatever the hell they want.'
 
“It is vital that we dispel any doubt in the United States' commitment to NATO and its founding principles. I appreciate the Biden-Harris Administration's work to reassure our allies that we stand with them. Now, Congress must follow the rest of NATO's example by securing supplemental aid for Ukraine. America must rise to this occasion and do its part for the defense of democracy, as we did 75 years ago.”