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HR 2797 111th Congress House

NATO First Act

Official title: To strengthen the United States commitment to transatlantic security by implementing the principles outlined in the Declaration on Alliance Security signed by … Show full official titleShow less

Official title: To strengthen the United States commitment to transatlantic security by implementing the principles outlined in the Declaration on Alliance Security signed by the heads of state and governments of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization in Strasbourg and Kehl on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the Alliance.

Introduced: June 24, 2009 Introduced by: Turner, Michael R. Republican · Ohio See on congress.gov
Armed Forces and National Security AlliancesArms control and nonproliferationCollective securityCongressional oversight
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Defense spendingEuropeHuman rightsInternational organizations and cooperationMilitary assistance, sales, and agreementsMilitary facilities and propertyMilitary procurement, research, weapons developmentMilitary readinessNuclear weaponsPolandRussia
This bill died when the 111th Congress ended
It never became law before the 111th Congress (2009–2010) adjourned, and bills don't carry over to the next Congress. It would have to be reintroduced. You can still save it for reference, but it won't receive updates.
 Everywhere this bill has been 4 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Jun 10, 2009
Referred to House Foreign Affairs
Jun 10, 2009
Referred to the Committee on Armed Services, and in addition to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Jun 10, 2009
Referred to House Armed Services
Jun 10, 2009
Introduced in House
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 Latest action June 10, 2009

Referred to House Foreign Affairs

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

NATO First Act - Expresses U.S. policy on the current force structure in Europe. Prohibits any action to effect or implement the closure of any military installation in a European member nation of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) at which a unit of U.S. Armed Forces is based, or to alter the permanent basing arrangement of such a unit, unless: (1) the closure is requested by the government of the host nation; or (2) the Secretary of Defense makes a certification to the congressional defense committees regarding the necessity of such closure or alteration.

Authorizes the Secretary to: (1) conduct or support programs to build the capacity of the national military forces of certain foreign countries to support the theater priorities of the Commander of the United States European Command; and (2) provide assistance to the NATO Special Operations Coordination Center to support NATO special operations forces and activities.

Expresses U.S. policy on the extended deterrence commitment to Europe. Prohibits any action to effect or implement the reduction of U.S. nuclear forces in Europe unless: (1) the reduction is requested by the government of the host nation; or (2) the Secretary makes certain certifications regarding the necessity of such reduction.

Earmarks specified funds appropriated for FY2011-FY2012 for the Missile Defense Agency for a long-range missile defense system in Europe.

Directs the Secretary to deploy a system providing a short-range air and missile defense capability, and the personnel required to operate and maintain the system, to Poland.

Allows Department of Defense (DOD) funds to be used to implement reductions in the strategic nuclear forces of the United States pursuant to a treaty or other agreement entered into between the United States and the Russian Federation after the date of enactment of this Act only if the President makes certain certifications to Congress concerning the efficacy of such reductions.

Authorizes the Secretary to expand the United States-Russian Federation joint center for the exchange of data from early warning systems to include the exchange of data on missile defense-related activities.

 Related & companion bills 1
 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 2
Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 2797: NATO First Act. 111th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/111-HR-2797/
MLA
"H.R. 2797: NATO First Act." 111th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/111-HR-2797/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 2797, 111th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/111-HR-2797/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 2797: NATO First Act](https://openamerica.io/bill/111-HR-2797/)
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