US lawmakers pass bill to prevent President Trump from withdrawing from NATO
The US House of Representatives has passed the NATO Support Act to prevent President Donald Trump from withdrawing from the alliance.
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| The White House in Washington. Photo: Sputnik |
Accordingly, the congressmen voted to pass the bill with 357 votes in favor and 22 votes against.
While the US Congress cannot formally prohibit President Donald Trump from leaving the bloc, it can block his intention to do so. This same tactic was used by Congress to prevent his predecessor, Barack Obama, from closing the Guantanamo military prison.
The House bill also calls on NATO members to spend 2% of their GDP on defense, something President Trump has previously proposed. It also authorizes additional funding for the European Deterrence Initiative against Russia.