Proposal would require Congress to approve NATO withdrawal

The President must consult Congress about a withdrawal action and report its legal basis, reasons, and expected effects. A withdrawal action means any formal or informal step to suspend or end U.S. membership in NATO, including sending a NATO member country notice of withdrawal or intent to withdraw. The report must cover the action's legal justification, strategic rationale, and expected military and alliance effects. Consultation is due within 72 hours after any listed trigger: considering withdrawal, learning a Cabinet member is considering it, or beginning to plan it. The report is due within 48 hours after the action begins.

A withdrawal action must end after 30 days unless Congress approves it by joint resolution; Congress may direct an earlier end by joint resolution. This applies to any formal or informal step to suspend or end U.S. membership in NATO, including sending a NATO member country notice of withdrawal or intent to withdraw. No federal funds may be used to carry out or continue an action that must end under either rule. The 30-day period begins when the action begins. Congress may direct an earlier end by joint resolution during that 30-day period.

A member of Congress may ask a federal district court for relief if this section is violated; the court must expedite the case. A member of Congress may bring the case in an appropriate federal district court over a violation of this section. The court must decide the case within 30 days after filing when practicable. The 30-day target runs from the filing date and applies when a decision within that time is practicable.