Free Republic

Excerpt: The move to restrict NATO withdrawal options comes as Trump, eyeing a return to the Oval Office, vocally considers pivoting the U.S. to a less active role within the alliance, or departing altogether if his terms are not met. However, this new bill would necessitate Senate approval or an Act of Congress to validate such a departure, hamstringing the Commander-in-Chief’s capacity to respond to real-time geopolitical dynamics. Adding to the controversy is the provision, championed by Senators Tim Kaine (D-Va.) and Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), which effectively bars any U.S. President from unilaterally withdrawing from NATO without Senate approval or...

In a last-minute rush to sanction spending before the end of the year, the Senate enacted a $886 billion defense spending proposal Wednesday, sponsored by President Joe Biden, that includes financing for Ukraine, yearly pay hikes for personnel, and most controversially, a reauthorization of the the National Defense Authorization Act.. The NDAA funds Pentagon objectives such as training and equipment. The Act was approved by a bipartisan majority of 87-13 in the Senate. For the last 61 years in a row, Congress has advanced the must-pass defense budget measure. “At a time of huge trouble for global security, doing the...