On Wednesday, the U.S. Senate voted 95-1 to ratify Sweden and Finland’s bid for NATO membership. Republican Sen. Josh Hawley Hawley, of Missouri, was the sole “no” vote.
In the past, Finland and Sweden have often remained neutral regarding the tension between Russia and NATO. However, following Vladimir Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the two countries moved toward the military alliance.
Hawley delivered a speech on the Senate floor explaining why he voted against the Scandinavian countries joining NATO. The video has gone viral on social media.
“The Senate will vote today whether to expand NATO by admitting Finland and Sweden,” Hawley said. “I intend to vote no and I encourage my colleagues to do the same and I want to say a word or two as to why.
“Finland and Sweden want to expand NATO because it is in their national security interest to do so—and fair enough.
“The question that should properly be before us, however, is: is it in the United States’ interest to do so? Because that is what American foreign policy is supposed to be about, I thought.
Hawley argued that America should be more concerned about China than Russia. The expansion of NATO would also result in more money being sent to Europe, he said.
His vote was harshly criticized across party lines.
Watch Hawley’s speech and some of the reactions below:
Hawley: The Senate will vote today on whether to expand NATO by admitting Sweden and Finland. I intend to vote No and I encourage my colleagues to do the same.. pic.twitter.com/86z1IOAeH0
— Acyn (@Acyn) August 3, 2022
Of course. Just like trump and Putin, he doesn't want a strong NATO
— Diane Bernaerts 🇧🇪🇺🇦 🌊🌊🌊 (@DianeBernaerts) August 3, 2022
I’m not a huge fan of Bill Maher, but I have a New Rule:
…every Republican or Democrat that votes to deny Sweden & Finland entry to NATO must have their state replaced by “Putin”.
For example:R-Missouri
is now
R-Putin
— Mick Limerick (@Mick_Limerick) August 3, 2022
And this, my fellow Americans, is the real reason why Putin didn’t attack Ukraine on Trump’s watch. The Republican’s were doing Putin’s dirty work by trying to dismantle NATO
— NickyNewarker (@Jan6InsideJob) August 3, 2022
Hawley, translated: I intend to vote No because Putin told me to. https://t.co/F6jqR0sB2C
— Joe Walsh (@WalshFreedom) August 3, 2022
the insurrection guy and the guy who ran on jan 6th from asking folks to follow him
— Independent02 (@Independent02) August 3, 2022
Why would you vote no on this? What could be the possible reason to not let Sweden and Finland into NATO?
— 𝕷𝖎𝖓𝖉𝖆 𝕷𝖚𝖘𝖍 (@LindaLush4) August 3, 2022
So less allies is his argument for a safe USA.
— JS Maldonado (@JSMaldonadoPics) August 4, 2022
EXTREMIST ALERT! https://t.co/HHeZo4fJI1
— Pugnacious P (@richardspuglisi) August 4, 2022
Immediate reaction to the vid: pic.twitter.com/XAv4jc2tjr
— Dan Przygoda (@dprzygoda) July 22, 2022
