U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski and Gene Shaheen have introduced the NATO Unity Protection Act, a bipartisan measure intended to prevent American military intervention in the sovereign territories of NATO member states.
The legislation explicitly prohibits the use of funds from the Department of Defense or Department of State to blockade, occupy, annex, or otherwise exert control over any territory belonging to a NATO member state without explicit consent from that nation or authorization by the alliance.
The bill also clarifies that it does not restrict U.S. military operations necessary for self-defense or to protect allied interests.
Tensions have escalated in Greenland following reports that Republican Congressman Randy Fine announced on January 12 the introduction of a separate bill granting President Donald Trump authority to take all necessary actions to annex or acquire the island as part of U.S. territory.
