During his confirmation hearing with the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Republican Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida expressed his support for a bipartisan law that he co-sponsored. This law prevents the United States from withdrawing from NATO without Senate approval or an act of Congress. Rubio emphasized the importance of Congress playing a role in such decisions, stating that he was a co-sponsor of the law and believes in its significance.
Responding to a question from Sen. Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire, Rubio affirmed his commitment to adhering to the law if President-elect Donald Trump attempts to withdraw the US from NATO. Rubio pointed out that Trump's nomination for US ambassador to NATO indicates the president-elect's seriousness about the alliance.
Furthermore, Rubio expressed his general support for NATO while suggesting that member states should increase their defense budgets. He raised the question of whether the United States should maintain a primary defense role in NATO in the 21st century or serve as a backstop to aggression, with regional countries taking on more responsibility by contributing more to defense.
