NATO alliance and defense spending (with Joe Matthew, Kailey Leinz)

Secretary General of NATO visited Capitol Hill and White House to shore up US support for the alliance.

Kailey Leinz

Housing bill on ice as president demands election security bill first; Iran talks stalled.

Joe Matthew

Secretary General brought charts to underscore allied financial commitments to defense industrial base.

Kailey Leinz

Kay Bailey Hutchison

NATO is essential for US security against adversaries in Asia-Pacific and Middle East; president was rightly disappointed some allies denied airspace/bases during Iran operations.

G7 was good preparation for NATO summit; alliance is stronger together long-term.

President previously called NATO a 'paper tiger' - did yesterday's meeting save the alliance?

Joe Matthew

Kay Bailey Hutchison

NATO is not a paper tiger; it is a very strong alliance with interoperability, intel sharing, and security value. Troop movements may happen but no abandonment of NATO.

NATO summit with Asia-Pacific partners will strengthen the alliance.

Are there firm deliverables expected from the summit for members or Ukraine?

Kailey Leinz

Kay Bailey Hutchison

Ukraine will be a major topic; president is weary of Russia dangling peace agreements. We need more sanctions on Russia and to help Ukraine end this invasion.

Russia's invasion of sovereign nation must be stopped.

How to end the war - more weapons, intelligence, or current approach?

Joe Matthew

Kay Bailey Hutchison

All of the above - more weapons, intelligence, drones. Ukraine has perfected drones and has right to defend itself.

We should be doing everything possible to help them.

President wants to shift attention to Ukraine after Iran situation resolved; MOU signed but final deal weeks away.

Kailey Leinz

Only so many Patriot systems to go around; Ukraine reaching deeper into Russia with garage-built drones.

President likes to align with winners; tide may be turning.

Joe Matthew

Secretary General said allies have no concerns about Ukraine striking deeper into Russia - Ukraine deserves to defend itself.

Kailey Leinz

Concern about funding for Patriot systems given multiple theaters and supplemental request to Congress.

Kailey Leinz

Kay Bailey Hutchison

Congress has passed Ukraine aid significantly; we need a bigger arsenal. Europe should step up. More sanctions and grip on Russia needed to help Ukraine finish the job.

President has shown frustration with Russia.

President had tough conversation with Senate Republicans on Iran war powers vote and housing bill - is he being fair to Senate Majority Leader?

Joe Matthew

Kay Bailey Hutchison

Worst thing Senate did was show no support for Iran situation during delicate negotiations - short-sighted. Senate and House need to work together; Save America Act is important, housing can be negotiated.

President showed what he had to the Senate.

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