H.Res. 1246

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 1246 Introduced in House (IH)]

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119th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. RES. 1246

Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives in support of the 
integration of Kosovo into the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.

_______________________________________________________________________

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

April 30, 2026

Mr. Self (for himself, Mr. Torres of New York, and Mr. Lawler) 
submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee 
on Foreign Affairs

_______________________________________________________________________

RESOLUTION

Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives in support of the 
integration of Kosovo into the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.

Whereas the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (``NATO'') has served as the 
cornerstone of Euro-Atlantic security since its founding in 1949, 
preserving peace and stability through collective defense under article 
5 of the Washington Treaty;
Whereas NATO enlargement has historically strengthened the Alliance by 
incorporating nations committed to democracy, individual liberty, and 
the rule of law, consistent with article 10 of the Washington Treaty;
Whereas the Western Balkans remain one of the final regions of Europe in which 
several states have not integrated into NATO, leaving a strategic gap 
that adversaries of the United States and allies of such adversaries 
seek to exploit;
Whereas the Russian Federation, the People's Republic of China, and other malign 
actors have expanded their political, economic, and paramilitary 
influence across the Western Balkans, posing a direct threat to the 
security of United States forces stationed in the region and to the 
broader strategic interests of the United States in Southeastern Europe;
Whereas Kosovo declared independence on February 17, 2008, and has since been 
recognized by over 100 countries, including the United States and a 
majority of NATO member states;
Whereas Kosovo has demonstrated its commitment to democratic governance, 
civilian oversight of security forces, and multiethnic coexistence, and 
has actively sought closer integration with NATO;
Whereas the Partnership for Peace and the Membership Action Plan have served as 
effective and proven pathways for aspiring NATO members to undertake the 
political, military, and institutional reforms necessary for full 
Alliance membership; and
Whereas the normalization of relations between Kosovo and Serbia, while a 
worthwhile diplomatic objective, should not be treated as a prerequisite 
for Kosovo's progress toward NATO membership: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That it is the sense of the House of Representatives 
that--
(1) the full integration of Kosovo into the North Atlantic 
Treaty Organization (``NATO'') is a priority for the national 
security interests of the United States in Southeastern Europe;
(2) the United States is deeply concerned with the growing 
malign activities of the Russian Federation, the People's 
Republic of China, and other malign actors in the Western 
Balkans, and the threat these pose to the security of United 
States forces stationed in the region and to the strategic 
interests of the United States in Southeastern Europe;
(3) the United States strongly supports the sovereignty and 
territorial integrity of Kosovo as a democratic, multiethnic 
state, and reaffirms its recognition of Kosovo's independence;
(4) the United States strongly supports Kosovo's 
aspirations as a democratic, multiethnic state, and encourages 
Kosovo's continued progress toward integration into NATO;
(5) the United States should continue and deepen its 
support for the modernization of the Kosovo Security Force, the 
Kosovo Intelligence Agency, and other relevant security organs 
of the Kosovo state, in order to strengthen Kosovo's capacity 
for self-defense and interoperability with NATO forces;
(6) the United States urges the remaining 4 non-recognizing 
member states of NATO, namely Greece, Romania, Slovakia, and 
Spain, to amend their positions on Kosovo's sovereignty, so as 
to allow Kosovo to formally commence movement toward 
integration into NATO;
(7) the pathway toward Kosovo's full NATO membership should 
proceed through sequential steps, including--
(A) Kosovo's inclusion in the NATO Partnership for 
Peace program;
(B) Kosovo's admission into the NATO Membership 
Action Plan; and
(C) Kosovo's full admission into NATO as a member 
state; and
(8) it is the policy of the United States to--
(A) actively advocate within NATO for Kosovo's 
inclusion in the Partnership for Peace and the 
Membership Action Plan;
(B) engage diplomatically with non-recognizing NATO 
member states to encourage recognition of Kosovo's 
sovereignty; and
(C) continue security assistance and capacity-
building efforts with Kosovo's security and 
intelligence institutions.
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