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[Congressional Bills 116th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 222 Introduced in House (IH)]

<DOC>

116th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. RES. 222

       Emphasizing the importance of alliances and partnerships.

_______________________________________________________________________

                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                             March 13, 2019

    Mr. Engel (for himself, Mr. McCaul, Ms. Slotkin, and Mr. Waltz) 
submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee 
                           on Foreign Affairs

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION

 
       Emphasizing the importance of alliances and partnerships.

Whereas from the American Revolution, through two World Wars, the Cold War, and 
        the fight against international terrorist organizations, the United 
        States has successfully relied on alliances and partnerships with like-
        minded countries to further its vital security, political, and economic 
        interests, starting with the Treaty of Alliance with France in 1778 and 
        continuing to the present day;
Whereas the United States alliances and partnerships are among America's most 
        precious geopolitical assets, strengthening the United States military 
        power, geostrategic influence, global legitimacy, diplomatic leverage, 
        and economic influence by establishing enduring cooperation among like-
        minded countries and deterring potential aggressors;
Whereas alliances and partnerships strengthen the ability of the United States 
        to advance the universal values of democracy, human rights, and the rule 
        of law;
Whereas the United States has maintained alliances since 1945 to protect its 
        security and long-term interests and which often resulted in substantial 
        diplomatic, political, and military support for bilateral or 
        multilateral action that advanced United States interests, including 
        major humanitarian missions and the use of military force;
Whereas the United States has built a global network of mutually beneficial 
        alliances and partnerships with countries across Europe, Asia-Pacific, 
        Africa, the Middle East, and the Western Hemisphere, which allows the 
        United States to extend its influence, conduct military operations, and 
        reduce the impact that adversary countries might have in these regions;
Whereas, since 1945, successive generations of United States leaders have 
        learned to successfully manage the challenges and constraints inherent 
        in alliances, thus ensuring that the benefits of alliances outweigh the 
        costs;
Whereas the United States was a founding member and leader of the North Atlantic 
        Treaty Organization (NATO), a bastion of democratic allies, which 
        continues to be the bedrock of transatlantic security and stability 
        after nearly 70 years;
Whereas allies have greatly enhanced the United States military power by 
        contributing significant forces to many American military actions for 
        more than 100 years, thus placing more combat power on the battlefield 
        while reducing the burden borne by the United States;
Whereas the United States military alliances and partnerships allow the United 
        States to leverage allies' specialized capabilities, including unique 
        technologies, warfighting skills, and specific intelligence assets;
Whereas longstanding alliances have allowed the United States and its allies to 
        implement the training, equipment, and interoperability standards 
        necessary to quickly mobilize and respond to any threat across the 
        world;
Whereas the United States alliances reduce weapons of mass destruction 
        proliferation by enabling better global cooperation against the spread 
        of nuclear weapons and other threats; and
Whereas alliances and partnerships support the United States diplomatic 
        interests by providing the United States with the ability to leverage a 
        multinational global response to issues through a variety of means and 
        contribute to a global rules-based order: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) recognizes the many contributions that alliances and 
        partnerships have made to support and advance the interests of 
        the United States;
            (2) underscores that alliances have enhanced mutual 
        security by jointly sharing in common defense, including the 
        defense of the United States;
            (3) recognizes that American-led alliances and partnerships 
        played a vital role in establishing the post-World War II 
        international order, which generated unprecedented prosperity 
        and peace around the world;
            (4) reaffirms the United States enduring commitment to our 
        treaty allies and partners;
            (5) recognizes that robust alliances and partnerships 
        require many years to develop and, if neglected, may not be 
        readily rebuilt in moments of crisis;
            (6) asserts that alliances and partnerships have solidified 
        beneficial international norms and agreements that undergird 
        the political strength of the United States;
            (7) supports the assessment in the 2018 National Defense 
        Strategy that ``strong alliances and partnerships'' are 
        necessary to help ``generate decisive and sustained United 
        States military advantages'' and that the United States must 
        focus on ``strengthening alliances [to] attract new partners''; 
        and
            (8) urges the President to reaffirm America's commitment to 
        alliances and partnerships.
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