North Carolina Senator Thom Tillis, along with other Republican lawmakers, has introduced a resolution urging NATO member nations to meet or exceed their defense spending commitments. The resolution responds to what is considered a growing global threat, pressing countries to meet the 2% GDP defense spending target before the NATO Summit in June in The Hague. According to a release from the Senate's official website, the resolution suggests barring countries that do not meet this target from leadership positions within NATO.

Senator Tillis emphasized the urgency of the push following continued aggression from Russia and other global tensions, stating, "The existing two percent commitment is the bare minimum necessary. We must aim for higher targets, such as the proposed five percent from President Trump, to bolster and strengthen NATO," in the same release. This view is shared by other lawmakers, who believe NATO's defense readiness depends on increased financial contributions, particularly amid rising tensions with countries like China. The resolution also ties into the previous idea of reaching a higher target of 5%, a figure once proposed by former President Trump.

The resolution has gained support from GOP senators such as John Cornyn of Texas and Steve Daines of Montana. Cornyn pointed to conflicts in Europe and tensions in the Indo-Pacific as reasons to fulfill their commitment to allocate two percent of their GDP to national defense. Daines noted that while European allies had increased military spending under the previous administration, other countries still need to meet their obligations, stressing the importance of deterrence in a dangerous world.