Senate pushes NATO allies to double defense spending—who pays the bill?
S.Res. 346 — A resolution urging all members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization to spend a minimum of 5 percent of gross domestic product on defense. · Filed by John Kennedy (R-LA) · 6 cosponsors · Introduced Jul 30, 2025 · Referred to committee
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What it does
This Senate resolution urges all NATO member countries to spend at least 5% of their gross domestic product on defense, split between 3.5% on military spending and 1.5% on non-traditional defense like infrastructure and cybersecurity. The resolution credits President Trump with pushing NATO allies to increase spending and calls on NATO leadership to enforce compliance with this new target. The measure is non-binding and expresses the Senate's position on alliance burden-sharing rather than creating law.
Why we flagged it
This is a non-binding Senate resolution urging NATO members to increase defense spending to 5% of GDP. It expresses the chamber's position on alliance burden-sharing and military readiness rather than enacting law or appropriating funds.
What the text implies
- A 5% GDP defense spending mandate across NATO would represent a substantial increase in global military expenditure, potentially triggering arms-race dynamics and destabilizing regional balances, particularly in Eastern Europe and the Baltic.
- The resolution's distinction between 3.5% military spending and 1.5% 'non-traditional defense' (infrastructure, cyber) creates ambiguity about what qualifies, potentially allowing member states to classify civilian projects as defense to meet targets without genuine military capability gains.
The full analysis lists 4 implications of this text.
Who stands to gain
defense contractors and aerospace manufacturers; military equipment suppliers; cybersecurity and infrastructure firms