Representative Randy Fine (R-FL) has introduced legislation authorizing the annexation of Greenland, including provisions that allow the Danish territory to become an official state.
President Donald Trump has made acquiring Greenland a goal of his second administration, arguing that the acquisition of the territory would secure the Arctic from China and Russia, countries he claims are heavily encroaching on the area and threatening national security from the north.
"We need Greenland from the standpoint of national security, and Denmark is not going to be able to do it, I can tell you," said President Trump last Sunday. "It's so strategic right now. Greenland is covered with Russian and Chinese ships all over the place."
Rep. Fine echoed the sentiment in his press release, saying, "Greenland is not a distant outpost we can afford to ignore—it is a vital national security asset."
"Whoever controls Greenland controls key Arctic shipping lanes and the security architecture protecting the United States," Rep. Fine continued. "America cannot leave that future in the hands of regimes that despise our values and seek to undermine our security."
As a result, the Florida congressman's Greenland Annexation and Statehood Act authorizes the President to pursue the acquisition of Greenland and requires a report on the changes to federal law needed to ultimately admit Greenland as an official U.S. state.
"For too long, American leadership stood by while our adversaries chipped away at our geopolitical dominance. My bill will protect our homeland, secure our economic future, and ensure that America—not China or Russia—sets the rules in the Arctic," Rep. Fine concluded. "That is what American leadership and strength look like."
Last week, Secretary of State Marco Rubio met with Denmark about the issue, which reiterated its opposition and threatened to end its NATO partnership with the United States.
