WATCH: Sole senator to vote against NATO membership for Sweden and Finland speaks
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One senator voted against ratifying requests from Finland and Sweden to join NATO to combat Russian aggression following the invasion of Ukraine on Wednesday.
That lawmaker, Sen. Josh Hawley (R-MO), appeared on Fox News’s Tucker Carlson Tonight to explain why he is not in favor of expanding the alliance.
“Expanding NATO will not make America stronger and it will not make America safer,” Hawley told host Tucker Carlson.
“What it will do is commit us to sending more troops, and spending more money, and devoting your resources to Europe. And frankly, I think that’s the wrong choice,” Hawley added.
China, the senator said, is the country’s No. 1 threat abroad, not Russia. He also argued that there are issues at home that take precedence, including securing the southern border and the economy.
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The measure, needing 67 votes in the 100-member Senate, passed 95-1. Beyond Hawley’s no-vote, Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) voted present.
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) said in a Senate floor speech that Finland and Sweden joining the alliance “will make NATO stronger and America more secure.”