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Senators aim to limit Trump's ability to remove troops from Germany
The Hill ^ | 06/29/20 03:19 PM EDT | JORDAIN CARNEY

Posted on 07/01/2020 11:04:53 PM PDT by robowombat

Senators aim to limit Trump's ability to remove troops from Germany BY JORDAIN CARNEY - 06/29/20 03:19 PM EDT

A bipartisan group of senators is trying to place limits on President Trump's ability to remove troops from Germany unless the administration is able to meet a slew of requirements.

The proposal, spearheaded by Sen. Mitt Romney (R-Utah), would prohibit the administration from reducing the number of active-duty troops in Germany below 34,500 unless the Pentagon can certify to Congress that it is in the national security interest of the United States and would not negatively undermine European alliances or NATO.

It would also require the Defense secretary to certify that the move would not impact the U.S. military's ability to "execute contingency plans," wouldn't negatively impact ongoing operations, won't impact military families and that the Pentagon has consulted with allies including NATO and Germany.

Sens. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), Christopher Coons (D-Del.), Tim Kaine (D-Va.) and Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.) are co-sponsoring the proposal.

The senators want to get it included in the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), a mammoth defense policy bill set to be debated by the Senate this week. Hundreds of amendments are filed to the NDAA every year but only a handful normally end up getting a roll-call vote on the floor.

In addition to Romney's amendment, Graham filed a separate proposal throwing the Senate's support behind the U.S.-Germany relationship.

"The presence of United States military forces in Germany is a strong deterrent against Russian aggression in Europe and strengthens the capability of NATO," Graham's resolution reads.

Trump confirmed earlier this month that he would cut the number of U.S. service members in Germany to 25,000, a decision that has been met with bipartisan scrutiny.

Senate rejects Paul proposal on withdrawing troops from Afghanistan “Germany’s delinquent,” Trump said at the time. “They’ve been delinquent for years, and they owe NATO billions of dollars, and they have to pay it. So we’re protecting Germany, and they’re delinquent. That doesn’t make sense.”

Germany is not on track to meet NATO’s goal of spending 2 percent of its gross domestic product on defense. But it is not “delinquent” to NATO as Trump describes because the spending is not a payment to NATO — it is spending on a country’s own defense — and the goal does not have to be met until 2024.


TOPICS: Constitution/Conservatism; Foreign Affairs; Germany; Government; Mexico; Politics/Elections; Russia; US: Delaware; US: Florida; US: Massachusetts; US: Michigan; US: New Hampshire; US: South Carolina; US: Utah; US: Virginia
KEYWORDS: afghanistan; angelamerkel; christophercoons; clowncar; coons; delaware; europeanunion; eussr; excerpt; florida; germany; grahamnesty; jeanneshaheen; joebiden; joeclowncarbiden; jordaincarney; kaine; lindagraham; lindseygraham; marcorubio; massachusetts; mexico; michigan; mittens; mittwit; nato; ndaa; newhampshire; pierredefecto; pierredelecto; pierrerejecto; rmoney; romney; rubio; russia; southcarolina; thehill; thehillary; theshill; timkaine; utah; virginia; willard
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The proposal, spearheaded by Sen. Mitt Romney (R-Utah), would prohibit the administration from reducing the number of active-duty troops in Germany below 34,500 unless the Pentagon can certify to Congress that it is in the national security interest of the United States and would not negatively undermine European alliances or NATO.

It would also require the Defense secretary to certify that the move would not impact the U.S. military's ability to "execute contingency plans," wouldn't negatively impact ongoing operations, won't impact military families and that the Pentagon has consulted with allies including NATO and Germany.

Germany is not on track to meet NATO’s goal of spending 2 percent of its gross domestic product on defense. But it is not “delinquent” to NATO as Trump describes because the spending is not a payment to NATO — it is spending on a country’s own defense — and the goal does not have to be met until 2024.

1 posted on 07/01/2020 11:04:53 PM PDT by robowombat
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To: robowombat

It’s time for President Trump to remind these weasels who is Commander in Chief.

Order the troops home tomorrow and let them howl.

L


2 posted on 07/01/2020 11:09:18 PM PDT by Lurker (Peaceful coexistence with the Left is not possible. Stop pretending that it is.)
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To: robowombat

Hilarious.
It all comes down to money to Senators, foreign money to US Senators.


3 posted on 07/01/2020 11:09:46 PM PDT by mrsmith (US Media: "Every cop is a criminal; ALL the sinners saints!")
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To: robowombat

The usual suspects


4 posted on 07/01/2020 11:24:30 PM PDT by Nifster (I see puppy dogs in the clouds)
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To: robowombat

All sorts of NATO countries want American troops out until they actually want to leave. It’s not about security it’s about the money they spend and the jobs created to support them.


5 posted on 07/01/2020 11:27:54 PM PDT by Oshkalaboomboom
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To: Nifster
The usual suspects

Yep, the despicable sellouts and losers, especially Romney, Graham, and Rubio. They try to stick it to Trump at every turn. And please note how they are teaming up with DUMMOCRAPS on this. That's how low they will go. Lindsey Graham needs his lying face slapped, every time he goes on Hannity and mouths his "support" for Trump. Romney needs to be tied to the top of a moving vehicle on a coast-to-coast trip. Rubio needs to attend a beach party full of COVID+ college kids.

6 posted on 07/01/2020 11:39:25 PM PDT by EinNYC
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To: robowombat

These Senators are more interested in their kickbacks because any student of history knows that Poland, where Trump wants to relocate troops to, is known as the gateway between Russia and Western Europe so it’s the perfect relocation strategically while making a huge statement to other NATO countries.


7 posted on 07/02/2020 12:15:25 AM PDT by vigilence (Vigilence)
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To: vigilence

TRue. But the media hates any ‘student of history’/.


8 posted on 07/02/2020 12:23:31 AM PDT by mrsmith (US Media: "Every cop is a criminal; ALL the sinners saints!")
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To: EinNYC

Marxists Romney, Graham and Rubio align with Marxist Tim Kaine. Nothing new under the sun.


9 posted on 07/02/2020 12:27:17 AM PDT by jacknhoo (Luke 12:51; Think ye, that I am come to give peace on earth? I tell you, no; but separation.)
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To: robowombat

More Anti-Trump shenanigans from the RINOs.


10 posted on 07/02/2020 12:31:38 AM PDT by 9YearLurker
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To: robowombat

How ‘bout instead stopping US cities from reducing police forces.


11 posted on 07/02/2020 12:46:32 AM PDT by Greg123456 (It is EVIL to vote Democratic.)
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To: robowombat
The proposal, spearheaded by Sen. Mitt Romney (R-Utah)

That says it all

12 posted on 07/02/2020 12:53:43 AM PDT by Ymani Cricket ("Leadership is intangible, and therefore no weapon ever designed can replace it." ~Omar Bradley)
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To: vigilence

I missed the Poland aspect, thanks for posting that. That is an amazing alternative. I have been pulling for Poland since they didn’t drink the #Globalismkoolaid. My son is stationed in ktown and we would be attending his wedding in the Netherlands. I told him i would stay in poland, preferably.
After spending 4 years in West Germany.. i just dont have the sto.ach to witness merkels madness.


13 posted on 07/02/2020 1:46:13 AM PDT by momincombatboots (Ephesians 6... who you are really at war with)
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To: Ymani Cricket

Mitt Romney, the military expert, who avoided military service during Vietnam by getting six deferments while being a Mormom missionary in France. Asked about this later, Romney claimed it was similar to service in combat. This is the military “expert” trying to take over US defense policy.


14 posted on 07/02/2020 2:04:10 AM PDT by laconic
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To: robowombat

Veto the entire bill if it contains this rotten provision.

The US should pull ALL of its troops out of Germany. The whole idea that Russia is going to pour through the Fulda gap is absurd. Russia is not the Soviet Union no matter how much Putin wishes it were. They have nothing like the Soviets’ strength. Their economy is smaller than Italy’s. They are simply not in a position to threaten all of Europe. In any event, the Yurps have plenty of people and money to be able to defend themselves. Some in the Senate need to get a grip.


15 posted on 07/02/2020 3:03:44 AM PDT by FLT-bird
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To: robowombat

Romney and Graham, they are a waste of skin and need to be found in bed together with a goat. They are the enemy.


16 posted on 07/02/2020 3:43:19 AM PDT by Truth29
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To: Lurker

Amen.
End this German welfare program.


17 posted on 07/02/2020 4:06:13 AM PDT by Travis McGee (EnemiesForeignAndDomestic.com)
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To: robowombat

When did GOP Senators ever try to stop Obama from doing anything? Asking for a friend...


18 posted on 07/02/2020 5:46:15 AM PDT by pepsi_junkie (Often wrong, but never in doubt!)
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To: AdmSmith; AnonymousConservative; Arthur Wildfire! March; Berosus; Bockscar; cardinal4; ColdOne; ...
Romney, Graham, Rubio, Coons, Kaine, and Shaheen

19 posted on 07/02/2020 8:22:24 AM PDT by SunkenCiv (Imagine an imaginary menagerie manager imagining managing an imaginary menagerie.)
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To: vigilence
...knows that Poland, where Trump wants to relocate troops to...

What's it worth to them?

20 posted on 07/02/2020 8:29:40 AM PDT by DoodleDawg
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