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\nThe Senate yesterday overwhelmingly passed a resolution approving Finland and Sweden’s request to enter into NATO, 95 to 1. This marks a pivotal step toward expanding the 30-member alliance. The bi-partisan support for the additions are the direct result of Russian President Putin’s invasion of the Ukraine.<\/p>\n
Twenty-three Member States have already ratified the accessions.<\/p>\n
The lone dissenter? Sen. Josh Hawley (R-MO).<\/p>\n
Twenty-three NATO members have now ratified the accessions. Seven still need to act.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n BY JACQUELINE FELDSCHER<\/p>\n The Senate overwhelmingly approved the addition of Sweden and Finland to NATO on Wednesday, taking a step toward extending the alliance\u2019s border with Russia by more than 800 miles.<\/p>\n The 95-1 Senate vote made the United States the 23rd of NATO\u2019s 30 countries to act since the alliance accepted the two nations\u2019 applications in June, ahead of its annual summit in Madrid. It also means senators met their goal of approving the additions ahead of the Senate\u2019s August recess, which begins next week.<\/p>\n \u201cThe United States is about to welcome two capable, qualified, and deserving members into NATO,\u201d Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H., co-chair of the Senate NATO Observer Group, said on the Senate floor ahead of the vote \u201cParticularly as we face Putin\u2019s dangerous campaign against Ukraine, I remain committed to strengthening global coordination to preserve our rules-based order and ensuring NATO continues to be the strongest it\u2019s ever been.\u201d<\/p>\n Seven nations, including Turkey, Greece, and Spain, still need to act before Finland and Sweden formally join the alliance.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n