Bill reasserts NATO support

Two California representatives introduced bipartisan legislation Wednesday that would reassert congressional support for the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.

Republican Rep. Steve Knight, whose district includes the Santa Clarita Valley, and Rep. Jimmy Panetta, D-Carmel Valley, announced the bill, the No NATO Withdrawal Act, would “prohibit funds from being used to withdraw from NATO,” according to a statement released Thursday.

The bill clarifies that the United States has the policy to remain a member in good standing of the organization and to reject any efforts to withdraw from the alliance. Also addressed is that the country should help ensure each member nation spends at least 2 percent of its gross domestic product on defense spending -- according to the 2014 NATO Wales Summit agreement -- by working with those countries.

“NATO is absolutely crucial to our national security,” Knight said in the prepared statement.

“America and our NATO partners share common economic and security interests, and it must remain a strong asset in opposition to Russia.”

Panetta added in the statement that the “NATO alliance is a pillar of international peace, stability and security, and serves as a deterrent against aggression and destabilization.”

Both U.S. representatives added that Congress should take a stand and solidify its commitment to the country’s allies.