US Representative Neal Dunn (R-FL) is leading a bipartisan and bicameral bill to recognize North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg.
Secretary General Stoltenberg has served NATO since 2014 and has guided the alliance through a tumultuous period plagued with international crises, wars, and internal disputes.
Nonetheless, a bipartisan group of Representatives and Senators, Dunn among them, believes Stoltenberg’s leadership has benefitted NATO and its member states.
To this end, legislation to award the Congressional Gold Medal to Stoltenberg was recently introduced.
Senators sponsoring the legislation include Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY).
Prior to heading NATO, Stoltenberg was Prime Minister of Norway for two periods, from 2000 to 2001 and 2005 to 2013.
According to the Gold Medal legislation, the US was the first state to support Stoltenberg’s appointment as NATO Secretary General.
Additionally, the legislation alleges 23 NATO members met or exceeded their 2% of GDP contribution pledge during Stoltenberg’s tenure.
“Jens Stoltenberg’s commitment to better burden sharing has resulted in a stronger and more sustainable Alliance than at any other time in NATO history,” reads the bill.
The Gold Medal award proposal comes after Stoltenberg wrapped up NATO’s annual summit and 75th anniversary celebration in Washington D.C.
While the Ukraine-Russia war and Israel-Hamas conflict were largely discussed, President Joe Biden’s performance throughout the summit monopolized media attention.
President Biden has been subjected to increasing intra-party as well as external pressure to abandon the presidential race following his dismal debate performance against former President Donald Trump.
Biden gave a lengthy address responding to reporters’ concerns regarding his deteriorating health, which some have reported was insufficient to quell Democrat electoral fears.