As NATO Meets In DC, Senate Democrats Prioritize Show Votes Over NDAA

NATO Leaders Are Convening In Washington, DC, This Week And Are Expected To Focus On ‘Measures To Boost [The Alliance’s] Military Readiness’

“The Washington DC NATO summit begins Tuesday, when representatives from the 32 member states will gather to discuss future support for Ukraine and how to counter the growing threat of Russian aggression.” (Semafor, 7/08/2024)

·       “NATO leaders meet this week for a summit commemorating the 75th anniversary of the military alliance, which has never been larger and more focused … In many respects, the alliance has never looked stronger. Since Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine, NATO gained those two members, bringing the total to 32. At the same time, Eastern and Central European members closer to Russia’s borders — the Baltic states, Poland and the Czech Republic — have stepped up support for Ukraine and NATO as an institution.” (“NATO Leaders Are Descending On Washington. Here’s What To Know,” The Associated Press, 7/08/2024)

“NATO officials have championed a significant increase — to 23 — in the number of allies meeting [the agreed-upon goal of spending 2% of gross domestic product on defense]. Several more are expected to say they’re meeting that standard during the summit.” (“NATO Leaders Are Descending On Washington. Here’s What To Know,” The Associated Press, 7/08/2024)

·       “NATO is also set to announce measures to boost its military readiness, including fast-tracking purchases of air defense systems and other key weaponry, and to push for standardizing ammunition across its militaries.” (Semafor, 7/08/2024)

The United States Needs To Get Serious About Rearming And Leading NATO In Deterring Future Conflicts

THE WALL STREET JOURNAL EDITORIAL BOARD: “The old line is that nothing focuses the mind like the sight of the gallows, and the raging war in Ukraine has driven European countries to do the previously unthinkable: Spend on their own national defense. The latest data from the North Atlantic Treaty Organization is a sign of allied seriousness that the U.S. should meet with its own rearmament. Some 23 of 32 NATO member countries are on track to spend at least 2% of their economy on national defense in 2024. That’s up from a mere six in 2018 and three in 2014, when members agreed to the 2% floor.” (Editorial, “Europe’s NATO Members Step Up on Defense Spending,” The Wall Street Journal, 6/21/2024)

·       “This European progress means the U.S. no longer has as much cause to boast about its spending advantage. The U.S. is now a NATO outlier in spending less on defense today as a share of the economy than it did in 2014. Yes, the U.S. defense budget dwarfs what a European country spends, and the U.S. is still above 3% as a share of GDP. … The world is far more dangerous than it was in 2014, and Congress and the President haven’t begun to recognize that harsh reality by rebuilding U.S. defenses. The leader of the free world ought to act like it wants to deter war as it was once able to do.” (Editorial, “Europe’s NATO Members Step Up on Defense Spending,” The Wall Street Journal, 6/21/2024)

In Stark Contrast, The Senate Returns To Session With Majority Leader Chuck Schumer Wasting Scarce Floor Time On Yet Another Partisan Show Vote, Instead Of Turning To The Defense Authorization Bill

SENATE MAJORITY LEADER CHUCK SCHUMER (D-NY): “Now this week, Senate Democrats intend to pick up where we left off in June …” (Sen. Schumer, Press Conference, 7/09/2024)

“On the Senate floor this week, Democrats will hold another abortion-related ‘show’ vote.”  (“AM: Biden Is Losing His Grip On House Democrats,” Punchbowl News AM, 7/08/2024)

·        “[T]he Senate is set to vote on a bill to establish a national right to an abortion …” (“Biden Troubles Loom Over Democrats’ Return To Washington,” The Hill, 7/08/2024)

·       “It’s also a central theme of Biden’s campaign, as well as Democrats running in competitive Senate and House seats.” (“AM: Biden Is Losing His Grip On House Democrats,” Punchbowl News AM, 7/08/2024)

“Senate Republican leaders have condemned the ‘show’ vote strategy as an effort to divide their party and boost vulnerable Democratic incumbents. A critical aspect of the GOP pushback has been to call for Schumer to instead use floor time on the annual defense authorization bill. The Armed Services Committee sent it to the floor last month.” (“AM: How Will Schumer Spend The Rest Of The Summer?,” Punchbowl News AM, 7/05/2024)

Schumer Already Wasted June On A Succession Of Show Votes That Pushed Partisan Legislation That Has No Chance Of Becoming Law

PUNCHBOWL NEWS: ‘Senate show votes continue with abortion, bump stocks’ (Punchbowl News AM, 6/17/2024)

“It began last month with the border security deal … Now, Schumer is teeing up a series of votes on abortion-related legislation for June …” (Punchbowl News AM, 6/05/2024)

·       “Senate Democrats plan to force a vote Thursday on the bipartisan border security package … an attempt to flip the script on immigration politics, a major vulnerability for President Joe Biden.” (NBC News, 5/20/2024)

·       “A bill to safeguard access to contraceptives failed to advance in a U.S. Senate vote on Wednesday, after congressional Democrats forced the vote …” (Reuters, 6/05/2024)

·       “The Senate on Thursday rejected a push to protect access to in vitro fertilization, a vote that was expected to fail … All 49 Senate Republicans signed a statement released Thursday ahead of the vote saying that ‘Senate Democrats have embraced a Summer of Scare Tactics.’ It’s ‘a partisan campaign of false fearmongering intended to mislead and confuse the American people. In vitro fertilization is legal and available in every state across our nation,’ they wrote. ‘We strongly support continued nationwide access to IVF, which has allowed millions of aspiring parents to start and grow their families.’” (USA Today, 6/13/2024)

·       “Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) on Monday took action to set up a vote on … a national right to an abortion …” (“Schumer Tees Up Action On Bill To Establish National Right To Abortion,” The Hill, 6/17/2024)

REMINDER: ‘Schumer’s Focus This Summer Will Be Doing Everything He Can To Protect His Most Vulnerable Incumbents’

“Schumer is trying to protect his narrow majority ahead of a tough election in which Democrats are playing defense in several red and purple states.” (“Senate Republicans Block Bill To Protect Access To In Vitro Fertilization,” The Washington Post, 6/13/2024)

·       “With Democrats’ razor-thin, 51-49 majority on the line in November, Schumer is relying on a barrage of ‘show votes…’” (“Schumer’s 2024 ‘Show Vote’ Strategy Targets GOP,” Axios, 6/06/2024)

“Schumer’s focus this summer will be doing everything he can to protect his most vulnerable incumbents.” (Punchbowl News AM, 5/24/2024)

“Republicans are dismissing the Schumer campaign as an election-year ploy.” (Punchbowl News AM, 6/05/2024)

‘Schumer’s Tactics Are Unlikely To Result In Much Legislative Progress In The Coming Months’ … ‘Actual Legislative Days Will Be Few And Far Between’

“Schumer’s tactics are unlikely to result in much legislative progress in the coming months…” (“Schumer’s 2024 ‘Show Vote’ Strategy Targets GOP,” Axios, 6/06/2024)

“Of course, actual legislative days will be few and far between the closer we get to Nov. 5.” (Punchbowl News AM, 6/05/2024)

The Fiscal Year 2025 National Defense Authorization Act Was Overwhelmingly Approved In The Senate Armed Services Committee Nearly A Month Ago And Is Still Waiting For Floor Action

The House Acted On Its Version Of NDAA Weeks Ago, Following The Senate Armed Services Committee Advancing Its Version

“The House narrowly passed its version of the nation's annual defense policy bill on [June 14^th]…. Attention now turns to the Senate, where the Senate Armed Services Committee approved its own version [the night before].” (“Dueling Versions Of FY '25 National Defense Authorization Act Advance In House And Senate, Major Differences Remain,” 13News Now Hampton Roads, 6/14/2024)

The Bipartisan Armed Services Committee-Passed NDAA Boosts Critical Investments In America’s Defense, Correcting The Serious Shortfalls Of President Biden’s Budget Request

“The Senate version of the fiscal 2025 defense authorization bill would authorize roughly $25 billion more for national defense than the Biden administration requested … The bill … was favorably reported to the full Senate … on Thursday. According to an executive summary released by the Senate Armed Services Committee, the bill would provide a total of $923.3 billion for national defense. That includes $878.4 billion for the Defense Department plus $33.4 billion for nuclear programs within the Department of Energy and $11.5 billion for defense-related activities outside the committee’s jurisdiction.” (“Senate NDAA Bill Would Boost Defense Topline By $25 Billion,” CQ News, 6/14/2024)

·       “Sen. Roger Wicker (R-MS), the top Republican on the Senate Armed Services committee, succeeded in persuading a bipartisan majority on the committee to join his crusade to increase the Pentagon’s spending authority substantially … By a 22-3 vote on Friday, the committee advanced a version of the 2025 National Defense Authorization Act, which authorizes a $25 billion plus-up …” (Washington Examiner, 6/17/2024)

As Senate Democrats Dither, NATO Allies Are Venting Their Frustrations With The Biden Administration’s Arbitrary Limitations On Arms Sent To Ukraine

‘European Allies Are Ramping Up Pressure On The Biden Administration To Further Loosen Restrictions On Ukraine’s Use Of U.S. Weapons To Strike Inside Russia’ … ‘Ukraine Feels It Has Been Left Handicapped’

“European allies are ramping up pressure on the Biden administration to further loosen restrictions on Ukraine’s use of U.S. weapons to strike inside Russia, arguing that the limits still in place hurt Kyiv’s ability to defend itself.” (“‘One Hand Tied Around The Back’: Europe Presses US To Lift Ukraine Weapons Limits,” Politico, 6/14/2024)

·       “For more than two years, the Biden administration refused to let Ukraine use U.S.-provided weapons to hit targets inside Russia, citing fears of a direct conflict between the United States and Russia. Instead, Ukraine was limited to using the U.S. weapons on targets in Russian-occupied Ukraine.” (“U.S. Restrictions Put Key Russian Air Bases Out Of Firing Range, Officials Say,” The Washington Post, 6/21/2024)

“A new U.S. policy allowing Ukraine to fire certain American weapons at Russian territory has led to a reduction in some Russian attacks but still restricts the range enough that it prevents Ukraine from hitting key airfields, two Ukrainian officials said. Those airfields are used by Russian jets that drop the deadly glide bombs now inflicting the greatest damage on military positions and civilians. The Ukrainian officials said the United States has restricted Ukraine to firing less than 100 kilometers, or about 62 miles, from the border. Both spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly about the rule.” (“U.S. Restrictions Put Key Russian Air Bases Out Of Firing Range, Officials Say,” The Washington Post, 6/21/2024)

“President Biden has refused to greenlight the use of long-range U.S. weapons, such as the Army Tactical Missile System, or ATACMS, leaving Ukraine to continue to rely on its own homemade drones for strikes deeper inside Russia.” (“U.S. Restrictions Put Key Russian Air Bases Out Of Firing Range, Officials Say,” The Washington Post, 6/21/2024)

‘The Episode Resembled Previous Decisions By The Biden Administration On Ukraine’ … ‘It’s A Familiar Pattern We’ve Seen Again And Again. It’s Usually: “No, No, Maybe, Yes,”’

“The episode resembled previous decisions by the Biden administration on Ukraine, with officials initially ruling out a specific request due in part to concerns over possibly triggering a crisis with Russia, followed by an internal debate, urgent appeals from other governments and lawmakers and eventually a green light from the White House approving Kyiv’s request.” (“Biden And Zelenskyy To Meet Amid Tensions Over Pace Of U.S. Military Aid,” NBC News, 6/06/2024)

·       “‘It’s a familiar pattern we’ve seen again and again. It’s usually: “No, No, Maybe, Yes,”’ said John Herbst, a retired career diplomat and former U.S. ambassador to Ukraine. Ukraine and its supporters say the prolonged deliberations and delays have cost lives and undermined Ukraine’s progress on the battlefield.” (“Biden And Zelenskyy To Meet Amid Tensions Over Pace Of U.S. Military Aid,” NBC News, 6/06/2024)

“But U.S. officials acknowledge that at multiple points in the conflict, Washington has been reluctant to give Ukraine something it wants — only to give in at the last minute.” (“‘One Hand Tied Around The Back’: Europe Presses US To Lift Ukraine Weapons Limits,” Politico, 6/14/2024)

·       “‘If you look back over the course of the conflict, you can find a number of areas where we were reluctant to do something and then we did it,’ said one senior Defense Department official, who was granted anonymity to speak about sensitive conversations. ‘So never say never.’” (“‘One Hand Tied Around The Back’: Europe Presses US To Lift Ukraine Weapons Limits,” Politico, 6/14/2024)

“From Zelenskyy’s perspective, the U.S. is hamstringing him, and there’s ‘real, real frustration,’ said a former U.S. official with knowledge of the matter.” (“Biden And Zelenskyy To Meet Amid Tensions Over Pace Of U.S. Military Aid,” NBC News, 6/06/2024)

·       “Ukraine feels it has been left handicapped, arguing that the restrictions on its use of Western-supplied weapons have given Moscow an unfair advantage.” (“Pressure Builds On Biden To Let Ukraine Strike Inside Russia Using U.S. Weapons,” NBC News, 5/30/2024)

‘Some Of Ukraine’s Fiercest Backers Say They Feel That Biden’s Decision Is Still Too Constricting’

“Some of Ukraine’s fiercest backers say they feel that Biden’s decision is still too constricting. ‘The core problem is that avoidance of escalation is not a winning strategy,’ said Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis in an interview. ‘If we would really allow Ukraine to win this war, then all the questions would be answered much easier. … Decisions that come late cost lives and land.’” (“Biden Team Hails ‘Lightning Speed’ Call On Strikes In Russia. Meanwhile, Kharkiv Burned.” The Washington Post, 6/01/2024)

“It comes on the back of NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg’s repeated pleas to let Ukraine use Western-supplied weapons to hit targets inside Russia, saying that not doing so hampers Kyiv’s ability ‘to defend themselves.’ It’s a view shared by a number of European members of the alliance, including the United Kingdom, Sweden and Poland.” (“Pressure Builds On Biden To Let Ukraine Strike Inside Russia Using U.S. Weapons,” NBC News, 5/30/2024)

“Similarly, Netherlands Defense Minister Kajsa Ollongren said on the sidelines of the meeting that Ukraine has to ‘be able to use weapons, both arms, not one arm tied on their back.’ Although she declined to comment on other countries’ policies, she said ‘I feel we should not restrict Ukraine.’ ‘I’m telling everybody that this is our policy, and I think it’s a policy that fits the dynamics of the war,’ she said.” (“‘One Hand Tied Around The Back’: Europe Presses US To Lift Ukraine Weapons Limits,” Politico, 6/14/2024)

“Estonian Defense Minister Hanno Pevkur echoed those comments, telling POLITICO: ‘My view is simple — everything we give, should be allowed for Ukrainians to use as they need considering the tactical planning.’” (“‘One Hand Tied Around The Back’: Europe Presses US To Lift Ukraine Weapons Limits,” Politico, 6/14/2024)

“French President Emmanuel Macron became the latest high-profile backer of the idea Tuesday. He suggested Ukraine should be allowed to hit military targets inside Russia from which missiles were being fired at Ukrainian territory, an apparent compromise position.” (“Pressure Builds On Biden To Let Ukraine Strike Inside Russia Using U.S. Weapons,” NBC News, 5/30/2024)

·       “He was joined by German leader Olaf Scholz, who had resisted the idea but agreed to the concept Tuesday.” (“Pressure Builds On Biden To Let Ukraine Strike Inside Russia Using U.S. Weapons,” NBC News, 5/30/2024)