WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congressional leaders from both major parties announced Tuesday that the U.S. House and Senate have secured the votes necessary to pass the bipartisan NATO Unity Protection Act, a bill designed to reaffirm U.S. treaty commitments and explicitly prohibit the President from using military force to seize Greenland, a self-governing Danish territory under NATO protection.
According to lawmakers who helped assemble the coalition, the bill has gained support from establishment Republicans, Democrats, and a bloc of Independents who share deep concerns that any unilateral U.S. military action targeting a NATO partner would undermine the alliance at a critical moment.
“This is about preserving NATO unity and preventing an avoidable crisis with one of our closest allies,” said one Senate Republican working on the bill. “Greenland is part of the Kingdom of Denmark. Denmark is a NATO member. The United States cannot simply use force against NATO territory.” WHAT THE BILL DOES The NATO Unity Protection Act contains several key provisions: Reaffirms U.S. Obligations Under Article 5 and Article 1 of the NATO Treaty emphasizing peaceful resolution of disputes among allies.
Explicitly Prohibits the President From Using Military Force to “acquire, seize, or occupy” any territory belonging to a NATO member without congressional authorization. Requires Consultation With NATO Allies before any U.S. military deployments affecting alliance territory. Legal analysts note that while Congress has long possessed authority to restrict presidential war powers, applying those restrictions to disputes involving NATO member territory is unusual and reflects heightened institutional concern about alliance stability.
GREENLAND AT THE CENTER OF STRATEGIC DEBATE Greenland has drawn strategic attention for years due to its location, natural resources, and existing U.S. military facilities, including the Thule Air Base. Denmark has repeatedly stated it would not sell Greenland, and Greenlandic officials have reiterated that any change in status must reflect the will of its people.
Danish diplomats privately welcomed news of the congressional votes, viewing the legislation as a signal that Washington’s core institutions still value NATO cohesion. BIPARTISAN COALITION EMERGES The bill’s path to passage accelerated after senior committee chairs from both parties warned that any hostile action within NATO territory could trigger broader alliance retaliation or legal disputes within international courts.
House leadership confirmed Tuesday that a chamber vote will be scheduled “in the coming days,” with Senate leadership signaling swift action once the bill clears the House. Foreign policy experts noted that Congress rarely intervenes this directly in alliance affairs, especially when it involves restraining the executive branch. However, multiple think tanks argued that a failure to act could leave NATO’s credibility uncertain at a time of increased global competition. NEXT STEPS
Once passed, the legislation is expected to head to the President’s desk, where its supporters anticipate a veto confrontation could emerge. If that happens, leaders in both chambers say they already have—or are close to—the two-thirds majority required to override. Regardless of the final outcome, the legislative push signals a moment of rare bipartisan convergence in Congress around NATO unity, democratic alliances, and limits on unilateral wartime powers.
