The Iowa senator recently visited the two countries, met with key leaders to ensure both nations help shoulder the burden for NATO’s military obligations
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee and the Senate North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Observer Group, today supported the ratification of Finland and Sweden into NATO:
“The addition of Finland and Sweden will not only grow NATO’s military capabilities, it will strengthen America’s capacity to defend the homeland. Like so many Iowans and Americans, I believe our NATO allies must continue to share the burden for collective security, and after meeting directly with key leaders in Finland and Sweden, I’m confident these two countries are ready to stand up and help shoulder the burden for NATO’s military obligations in Europe. I urge our allies to move swiftly in support of these new European partners, and send yet another signal to Putin that his unjust war has only served to strengthen the world’s greatest multinational alliance,” said Senator Ernst.
Since Finland and Sweden announced their intent to join NATO, Ernst has been a strong champion for their accession. In May, Ernst joined a bipartisan group of her colleagues in a joint statement of support and a letter to President Biden calling for Finland and Sweden’s swift accession into NATO. On a recent Congressional delegation visit, Ernst met with key leaders from both Finland and Sweden and attended the NATO Summit in Madrid, Spain. Following the trip, Ernst spoke on the Senate floor in support of Finland and Sweden’s future NATO membership.
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