Chairmen of Senate and House Armed Services Committees Release Statement Ahead of President Trump's Meeting With NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte

Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Roger Wicker, R-Miss., Chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, and U.S. Representative Mike Rogers, R-Ala., Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, issued the following statement ahead of the April 8 meeting with President Donald Trump and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte.

"We welcome NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte's visit to Washington. We look forward to hearing how allies are implementing their historic commitment, driven by President Trump, to spend 5% of GDP on defense and what more they will do to respond to Iran's threats. We are also interested in hearing about any positive developments in the UK-led effort to ensure freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz. Free passage and commerce are vital to our shared security and prosperity.

"While some allies, including Spain, have not fully stepped up, Operation Epic Fury has benefited significantly from the critical support of the vast majority of our NATO allies. A strong NATO remains firmly in the U.S. interest. As Iran, China, Russia, and North Korea increasingly work together to undermine our security, we must continue working with our allies to guarantee their failure."