S.Amdt. 3594

SA 3594, submitted by Mr. Sanders for Mr. Welch, aims to add a section to bill S. 2296 that limits how funds are used regarding U.S. Armed Forces in Europe.

The purpose of this amendment is to prevent the Department of Defense from using funds in fiscal year 2026 to reduce the number of active duty members deployed to Europe below a specific level. That level is 5% less than the number of people deployed on January 1, 2023.

For this reduction to happen, the Secretary of Defense must first provide a report to the appropriate committees of Congress covering:

• The effect on preserving deterrence in Europe and Eurasia.
• The expected reactions from the People's Republic of China and the Russian Federation.
• The effect on European countries' incentives to develop independent nuclear weapons.
• The effect on the long-term economic and military partnership between Europe and the United States.
• The effect on the military balance between the United States and the Russian Federation and the People's Republic of China.

Additionally, the Secretary of Defense must consult with the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff to certify that:

• The reduction is in the national security interests of the United States and will not significantly undermine ally security.
• Allies of the United States have been consulted.
• Romania, Slovakia, Hungary, Poland, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Estonia, Lithuania, and Latvia are fully capable of deterring conflict and defending themselves.
• The reduction is consistent with and supports the current national defense strategy.