Senate set to vote to ratify NATO membership for Sweden and Finland

Washington — The Senate was set Wednesday to ratify NATO membership for Finland and Sweden, with overwhelming bipartisan support expected for quickly expanding the Western military alliance in response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, who visited Kyiv and the region earlier this year, urged a unanimous show of approval. Speaking from the Senate floor, McConnell cited the two Nordic nations' well-funded, modernizing militaries and their experience working with U.S. forces and weapons systems, calling it a "slam-dunk for national security" of the United States.

"Their accession will make NATO stronger and America more secure. If any senator is looking for a defensible excuse to vote no, I wish them good luck," the Senate Republican leader said.