US Senate rejects measure to require declaration of war prior to NATO Article 5 response

The US Senate rejected an amendment to the Fiscal Year 2024 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) to require a congressional declaration of war prior to the United States engaging in an Article 5 response pursuant to its NATO obligations, Report informs, citing foreign media sources.

US Senators rejected the amendment on Wednesday in a vote of 16 in favor and 83 against.

Article 5 of the North Atlantic Treaty provides for a collective alliance response in the event any one member is the victim of an armed attack.

The amendment would clarify that it is the sense of the US Congress that the United States Article 5 obligation does not supersede constitutional requirements for Congress to formally declare war prior to US military engagement.

The measure was backed by US Senator Rand Paul.

The Senate voted 65–28 to approve a bipartisan amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) that would prevent any U.S. president from unilaterally withdrawing from NATO.

“America is strong on our own, and even stronger with our allies,” wrote Kaine on Twitter after the vote. “Congress stands with this historic alliance.”