Establish the Senate NATO Observer Group, and for other purposes.

Summary

Creates a permanent Senate body called the Senate NATO Observer Group to advise the Senate on NATO-related matters, coordinate issues that cross committee lines, and engage with the executive branch, NATO, member states, and candidate countries—especially during enlargement negotiations. The Group will have bipartisan membership, travel authority for co-chairs and one staffer, administrative support from the Senate Office of Interparliamentary Services, limited funding access under existing foreign currency authorities, and must report annually on activities including travel and public diplomacy. The Group is intended as a forum for coordination and Senate-level engagement on NATO policy, enlargement, and diplomacy, with membership rules for the 119th Congress preserved as recorded and a formal appointment process beginning in the 120th Congress.

• Establishes a permanent Senate NATO Observer Group to advise and coordinate on NATO-related matters across committees.
• Group will engage with the executive branch, NATO, member states, and candidate countries, with emphasis on enlargement negotiations.
• For the 119th Congress, membership remains as recorded; starting in the 120th Congress each party leader appoints up to seven Senators and selects a co-chair.
• Each co-chair and one staffer can travel abroad for official purposes if authorized by the other co-chair; the Senate Office of Interparliamentary Services provides support.
• Co-chairs may use funds consistent with existing foreign currency authority to support the Group’s activities.
• The Group must file an annual report detailing prior fiscal year travel, legislative efforts, and public diplomacy work.
• The body is an advisory and coordination forum within the Senate rather than a new executive or operational NATO role.
• Intended to promote bipartisan Senate engagement on NATO policy and enlargement deliberations.