1. United States
2. Calif.
3. Letter

Today I take pen in hand to write and to urge you to support continued US commitment to NATO and to advocate for normal diplomatic engagement with our allies. Throwing away 75 years of work to maintain the peace is not only unthinkable in light of Russia’s aggression, but also dangerous. Recent polling from the Chicago Council on Global Affairs conducted May 31 through June 2, 2024, demonstrates that two-thirds of Americans believe NATO remains essential to US security. This includes 83% of Democrats, 61% of Republicans, and 60% of Independents. Additionally, 52% of Americans say NATO makes the United States safer, with only 11% believing it makes us less secure. This data shows clear public support for how we should address defense spending concerns among NATO members. A strong majority of Americans, 62%, favor using persuasion and diplomacy to encourage allies to increase their defense contributions rather than withholding US security commitments. This approach is particularly favored by Democrats at 79% and Independents at 57%, with even 51% of Republicans preferring diplomatic engagement. The alliance has proven its value by welcoming Finland and Sweden as new members, strengthening our collective security in response to Russian aggression, and if not for the idiotic Trump administration, Ukraine would undoubtedly follow. Threatening to withhold defense commitments or suggesting we would allow Russia to attack allies who fall short on spending undermines decades of strategic stability that has prevented major power conflict. I ask that you publicly support maintaining US commitment to NATO and advocate for continued diplomatic engagement with our allies to address burden-sharing concerns. Our security depends on the strength of our alliances, not their abandonment. Thank you.