A joint resolution formalizing congressional opposition to any withdrawal from the North Atlantic Treaty, requiring the advice and consent of the Senate to modify or terminate the North Atlantic Treaty, and authorizing litigation to advance the Senate's constitutional authority.

Bill: 115-sjres-62
Sponsor: full_name: Sen. Kaine, Tim [D-VA]
Introduced: 2018-07-26
Policy area: International Affairs
Subjects: Alliances

Civil actions and liability

Collective security

Congressional oversight

Europe

International law and treaties

Judicial review and appeals

Presidents and presidential powers, Vice Presidents

Senate
Latest action: action_date: 2018-07-26
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S5426-5427)

Summaries:
action_date: 2018-07-26
action_desc: Introduced in Senate
text: <p>This joint resolution states that Congress opposes any effort to withdraw the United States from the North Atlantic Treaty. </p> <p>The President may withdraw from the North Atlantic Treaty, in accordance with its terms and pursuant to the advice and consent of the Senate, only if two-thirds of the Senators present concur, or pursuant to an Act of Congress.</p> <p>The Senate Legal Counsel may represent the Senate in initiating or intervening in federal judicial proceedings to oppose U.S. withdrawal from the North Atlantic Treaty and to ensure that any such withdrawal is pursuant to the advice and consent of the Senate or an Act of Congress.</p>

tv_txt: IIA 115th CONGRESS 2d Session S. J. RES. 62 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES July 26, 2018 Mr. Kaine (for himself, Mr. Gardner , Mr. Reed , and Mr. McCain ) introduced the following joint resolution; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations JOINT RESOLUTION Formalizing congressional opposition to any withdrawal from the North Atlantic Treaty, requiring the advice and consent of the Senate to modify or terminate the North Atlantic Treaty, and authorizing litigation to advance the Senate's constitutional authority.

Whereas the President is constitutionally required to seek the advice and consent of the Senate in order to enter into a treaty on behalf of the United States and must therefore seek the advice and consent of the Senate to withdraw from a treaty: Now, therefore, be it

1. Opposition of Congress to withdrawal from North Atlantic Treaty Congress opposes any effort to withdraw the United States from the North Atlantic Treaty, done at Washington, DC, April 4, 1949. 2. Requirement to receive the advice and consent of the Senate to modify or terminate the North Atlantic Treaty The President may only withdraw from the North Atlantic Treaty, in accordance with its terms, pursuant to the advice and consent of the Senate, provided that two thirds of the Senators present concur, or pursuant to an Act of Congress. 3. Authorization of Senate Legal Counsel to represent the Senate in opposition to withdrawal from North Atlantic Treaty The Senate Legal Counsel is authorized to represent the Senate in initiating or intervening in any judicial proceedings in any Federal court of competent jurisdiction, on behalf of the Senate, in order to oppose any withdrawal of the United States from the North Atlantic Treaty and to ensure that such withdrawal is pursuant to the advice and consent of the Senate or an Act of Congress. 4. Reporting requirement The Senate Legal Counsel shall report as soon as practicable to the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate and the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives with respect to any judicial proceedings which the Senate Legal Counsel initiates or in which it intervenes pursuant to this resolution.