June 5, 2025
Mr. Tillis (for himself and Mrs. Shaheen) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Rules and Administration
To establish the Senate NATO Observer Group, and for other purposes.
Section 1. United States Senate NATO Observer Group
(a) Establishment
There is established within the Senate a group of Senators to address and advise on matters relating to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, to be known as the Senate NATO Observer Group
.
(b) Functions
The Senate NATO Observer Group shall—
(1)
serve as a forum for addressing matters relating to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization that fall within the jurisdictions of 2 or more committees of the Senate;
(2)
advise the Senate on issues relating to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, including North Atlantic Treaty Organization enlargement; and
(3)
with respect to any matter involving the North Atlantic Treaty Organization and the United States Government, particularly during negotiations on North Atlantic Treaty Organization enlargement, engage in close interactions between and among the executive branch, the Senate, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, any other member country of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, and any country that is a candidate for membership in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.
(c) Appointment of members
(1) 119th Congress
During the 119th Congress, the Senate NATO Observer Group shall exist in the manner established by the majority leader and the minority leader of the Senate in the Congressional Record at the beginning of first session of the 119th Congress.
(2) Subsequent Congresses
(A) Appointment
Beginning in the 120th Congress, not later than 60 days after the date on which of the first session of each Congress convenes, the majority leader and the minority leader of the Senate shall each appoint to the Senate NATO Observer Group not more than 7 Senators.
(B) Co-chairs
Of the members appointed under subparagraph (A), the majority leader and the minority leader of the Senate shall each appoint 1 co-chairperson of the Senate NATO Observer Group.
(d) Foreign travel
Each co-chair of the Senate NATO Observer Group and 1 designated staff member may engage in foreign travel for official purposes if such travel is authorized by the other co-chair of the Senate NATO Observer Group.
(e) Interparliamentary services
The Office of Interparliamentary Services of the Senate shall be designated to provide administrative support and protocol functions to the Senate NATO Observer Group, and for special delegations or travel authorized by the majority leader or the minority leader of the Senate.
(f) Use of foreign currencies
Beginning on the date of the enactment of this Act, the co-chairs of the Senate NATO Observer Group are authorized to use funds in accordance with the provisions of law relating to foreign currencies, as codified in section 1754 of title 22, United States Code, for activities critical to carrying out the functions of the Senate NATO Observer Group.
(g) Report
Not less frequently than annually, the Senate NATO Observer Group shall submit to the majority leader and minority leader of the Senate and the chairperson and ranking member of the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate a report on the activities undertaken by the Senate NATO Observer Group during the preceding fiscal year, including with respect to travel, legislative efforts, and public diplomacy initiatives.