Boise City Wire

U.S. Senators Jeanne Shaheen and Thom Tillis participated in a fireside chat at the Munich Security Conference, emphasizing the importance of U.S. support for NATO. As co-chairs of the U.S. Senate NATO Observer Group, they highlighted the need for a united front with NATO allies amidst global security challenges.

Ranking Member Shaheen stated, "As co-chair of the U.S. Senate NATO Observer Group, I was honored to join my fellow co-chair Senator Tillis at the Munich Security Conference to reaffirm our unwavering commitment to NATO." She emphasized that "The Alliance has only strengthened in the face of Russia’s war in Ukraine and other global challenges."

Senator Tillis echoed these sentiments: "With Russian aggression in Ukraine and other rising global security challenges, the United States must remain a strong and reliable partner in supporting NATO." He stressed that it is crucial for "NATO Allies meet their commitments to address emerging threats" and ensure that NATO remains capable of safeguarding global security.

The Munich Security Conference serves as a platform for defense leaders worldwide to discuss pressing security concerns. Since restarting the U.S. Senate NATO Observer Group in 2018, Shaheen and Tillis have led bipartisan efforts supporting transatlantic alliances. They have engaged with various stakeholders, including meetings during last year's NATO Summit with allies from the Western Balkans and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Both senators have advocated for reaching defense spending targets agreed upon by NATO members and consistently support expanding the Alliance.