WASHINGTON, D.C. – Representative Adam Smith (D-Wash.), Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, today issued the following statement after Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announced that the U.S. has withdrawn from the Open Skies Treaty.
“I am deeply disappointed in the Administration’s decision to formally withdraw from the Open Skies Treaty over the weekend, and how that decision will affect U.S. relationships with our European allies. The Administration’s failure to notify Congress of their intent to withdraw – as was required by law – was a violation of the Fiscal Year 2020 National Defense Authorization Act. The importance of alliances and confidence building measures to support strategic stability in Europe in the face of Russian aggression must be a priority for the next Administration. For four years the Trump Administration has worked to undermine these relationships and dismantle agreements that uphold transatlantic stability, and I am confident President-Elect Biden will immediately work to rebuild U.S. leadership and hold Russia accountable for their destabilizing actions as soon as he is sworn into office.”
“I am deeply disappointed in the Administration’s decision to formally withdraw from the Open Skies Treaty over the weekend, and how that decision will affect U.S. relationships with our European allies. The Administration’s failure to notify Congress of their intent to withdraw – as was required by law – was a violation of the Fiscal Year 2020 National Defense Authorization Act. The importance of alliances and confidence building measures to support strategic stability in Europe in the face of Russian aggression must be a priority for the next Administration. For four years the Trump Administration has worked to undermine these relationships and dismantle agreements that uphold transatlantic stability, and I am confident President-Elect Biden will immediately work to rebuild U.S. leadership and hold Russia accountable for their destabilizing actions as soon as he is sworn into office.”
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