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U.S. Rep. Marcy Kaptur (D., Toledo) is on her way to Germany, Italy, and Poland as part of a bipartisan delegation aimed in part at relieving European concern about the United States commitment to NATO. <\/p>\n
The group that left Tuesday morning will be on hand as the first American personnel rotate into a battle group set up to defend North Atlantic Treaty Organization countries from Russia. <\/p>\n
The group is led by U.S. Rep. Paul Cook (R., Calif.), vice chairman of the House Committee on Armed Services. <\/p>\n
Miss Kaptur said delegation members will stress the importance of the NATO Alliance and bilateral relationships with Poland, Germany, Italy, and the United Kingdom. <\/p>\n
VIDEO: Blade Briefing on U.S. Rep. Marcy Kapturs trip to Europewith bipartisan delegation <\/p>\n
Particularly now, with the executive branch making contradictory statements about U.S. resolve toward NATO, it is incumbent the U.S. not leave any doubt in the minds of our friends, or foes, as to our nations firm commitment to defending liberty and upholding our historic alliance with Europe, Miss Kaptur said. <\/p>\n
As a candidate, Donald Trump called NATO obsolete and accused other countries of not paying their fair share of the alliances bills. Last week, Mr. Trump gave his full support to NATO, reaffirming the U.S. commitment to the alliance and saying he no longer considers it obsolete. <\/p>\n
Delegation members plan to meet with European officials to discuss European Union cohesion, European security, territorial integrity, and financial and economic stability, according to a statement from Miss Kapturs office. <\/p>\n
Lawmakers will visit U.S. Department of Defense facilities, and meet with military leaders and service people. <\/p>\n
In Poland the delegation will witness the American role in leading NATOs Poland battle group as part of the alliances enhanced Forward Presence initiative, she said. <\/p>\n
NATO nations agreed in 2016 to deploy four multinational battle groups to NATO members most at risk of a possible Russian attack. The group will be present as the first rotation of U.S. military personnel begins its NATO deployment. <\/p>\n
Miss Kaptur is the ranking member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Energy and Water and also co-chairs the Congressional Ukraine, Poland, and Hungary caucuses. <\/p>\n
The focus in Germany will be Americas military relationship with NATO, including engagements with leadership and soldiers at the U.S. 7th Army Training Command Joint Multinational Simulation Center in Grafenwoehr. <\/p>\n
In Italy, the delegation will meet with defense, economic, and foreign ministry officials as well as representatives of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. <\/p>\n
Miss Kaptur is scheduled to return to Ohio on Saturday. <\/p>\n
A spokesman for Mr. Cook said she was not allowed to give any information about the trip to Europe. Representative Cook is a retired Marine Corps colonel and was awarded combat medals during the Vietnam War. <\/p>\n
Other delegation members include ranking members and vice chairmen on U.S. House of Representatives subcommittees on the Western Hemisphere and National Security, members and staff serving on the Foreign Affairs and Armed Services Committees, and officials in the U.S. Army. <\/p>\n
Contact Tom Troy:tomtroy@theblade.comor 419-724-6058 or on Twitter @TomFTroy. <\/p>\n
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