Whereas in 2006, the defense ministers of North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Alliance member countries agreed to commit a minimum of two percent, as a percentage of gross domestic product (GDP) to spending on defense; Whereas in 2006, the defense ministers of NATO Alliance member countries further agreed to commit a minimum of 20 percent of defense expenditures to major equipment spending; Whereas these commitments were reaffirmed in the Wales Summit Declaration of 2014 issued by Heads of State and Government participating in the meeting of the North Atlantic Council; Whereas Article 3 of the North Atlantic Treaty states that, in order more effectively to achieve the objectives of this Treaty, the Parties, separately and jointly, by means of continuous and effective self-help and mutual aid, will maintain and develop their individual and collective capacity to resist armed attack. ; Whereas member nations that meet or exceed the GDP commitment and member nations with a plan of action to move toward the GDP commitment are commended and encouraged; Whereas the aggressive actions of Russia against Ukraine challenge global freedom, security, and stability critical to the NATO Alliance; Whereas the instability in the Middle East and North Africa and the continued threat of global terrorism pose a threat to security and prosperity; Whereas emerging security challenges such as cyber-attacks threaten the resilience and integrity of NATO networks and infrastructure assets; and Whereas the resolute commitment of the United States to NATO is steadfast and the efforts of member nations that have met GDP commitments is applauded: Now, therefore, be it