IV 
115TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION 
H. RES. 135 
Urging North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) member countries to 
meet or exceed the two percent gross domestic product commitment 
to spending on defense. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
FEBRUARY 16, 2017 
Mr. BISHOP of Michigan (for himself and Mr. TROTT) submitted the following 
resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs 
RESOLUTION 
Urging North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) member 
countries to meet or exceed the two percent gross domes-
tic product commitment to spending on defense. 
Whereas in 2006, the defense ministers of North Atlantic 
Treaty Organization (NATO) Alliance member countries 
agreed to commit a minimum of two percent, as a per-
centage of gross domestic product (GDP) to spending on 
defense; 
Whereas in 2006, the defense ministers of NATO Alliance 
member countries further agreed to commit a minimum 
of 20 percent of defense expenditures to major equipment 
spending; 
Whereas these commitments were reaffirmed in the Wales 
Summit Declaration of 2014 issued by Heads of State 
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and Government participating in the meeting of the 
North Atlantic Council; 
Whereas Article 3 of the North Atlantic Treaty states that, 
‘‘in order more effectively to achieve the objectives of this 
Treaty, the Parties, separately and jointly, by means of 
continuous and effective self-help and mutual aid, will 
maintain and develop their individual and collective ca-
pacity to resist armed attack.’’; 
Whereas member nations that meet or exceed the GDP com-
mitment and member nations with a plan of action to 
move toward the GDP commitment are commended and 
encouraged; 
Whereas the aggressive actions of Russia against Ukraine 
challenge global freedom, security, and stability critical to 
the NATO Alliance; 
Whereas the instability in the Middle East and North Africa 
and the continued threat of global terrorism pose a 
threat to security and prosperity; 
Whereas emerging security challenges such as cyber-attacks 
threaten the resilience and integrity of NATO networks 
and infrastructure assets; and 
Whereas the resolute commitment of the United States to 
NATO is steadfast and the efforts of member nations 
that have met GDP commitments is applauded: Now, 
therefore, be it 
Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 
(1) calls on North Atlantic Treaty Organization 
(NATO) member countries to meet or exceed the 
two percent gross domestic product commitment to 
spending on defense; 
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(2) calls on NATO member countries to meet 
or exceed the 20 percent commitment to defense ex-
penditures on major equipment spending; and 
(3) reaffirms the United States longstanding 
and resolute commitment to NATO and the peace 
through strength it advances. 
Æ 
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