; and (8) the term State means each of the several States, the District of Columbia, and each territory or possession of the United States. D Rule of construction 291. Rule of construction Nothing in this title or the amendments made by this title (other than sections 216 and 236(b)) shall be construed to limit the authority of the President under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act ( 50 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.). 292. Sense of Congress on the strategic importance of Article 5 of the North Atlantic Treaty (a) Findings Congress makes the following findings: (1) The principle of collective defense of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) is immortalized in Article 5 of the North Atlantic Treaty in which members pledge that an armed attack against one or more of them in Europe or North America shall be considered an attack against them all . (2) For almost 7 decades, the principle of collective defense has effectively served as a strategic deterrent for the member nations of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization and provided stability throughout the world, strengthening the security of the United States and all 28 other member nations. (3) Following the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks in New York, Washington, and Pennsylvania, the Alliance agreed to invoke Article 5 for the first time, affirming its commitment to collective defense. (4) Countries that are members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization have made historic contributions and sacrifices while combating terrorism in Afghanistan through the International Security Assistance Force and the Resolute Support Mission. (5) The recent attacks in the United Kingdom underscore the importance of an international alliance to combat hostile nation states and terrorist groups. (6) At the 2014 NATO summit in Wales, the member countries of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization decided that all countries that are members of NATO would spend an amount equal to 2 percent of their gross domestic product on defense by 2024. (7) Collective defense