A concurrent resolution affirming the partnership between the United States and Denmark and Greenland.
- Bill Number
- S.Con.Res. 26
- Origin Chamber
- Senate
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- International Affairs
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-01-15: Referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations. (text: CR S261)
- Last Updated
- 2026-01-21T08:03:42Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
This concurrent resolution expresses the sense of Congress affirming the strong partnership between the United States, the Kingdom of Denmark, and Greenland. It emphasizes shared values like democracy and security, while rejecting any coercive actions toward Greenland and underscoring respect for sovereignty.
Key Provisions
The resolution includes several "Whereas" clauses providing context and four main sense-of-Congress statements:
- Affirmation of sovereignty: The U.S. respects the sovereignty of Denmark and Greenland, in line with treaties like the North Atlantic Treaty (NATO's founding document).
- Compliance with laws and treaties: Any change to Greenland's status or use of U.S. military force there must follow treaty obligations and requires congressional authorization.
- Strengthening cooperation: The U.S. should enhance diplomatic, economic, and security ties with Denmark and Greenland through voluntary partnership and alliance-building.
- Arctic security approach: The Arctic region is best kept secure by U.S. leadership via cooperation with allies, not through threats or force.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
This is a concurrent resolution, which is a non-binding expression of Congress's opinion and does not create new laws or amend existing ones. It reinforces current treaty commitments (e.g., NATO) and constitutional principles but introduces no legal changes.
Potential Impacts
- On government agencies: May guide the executive branch (e.g., State and Defense Departments) toward diplomatic engagement in the Arctic, potentially influencing policy on military presence in Greenland.
- On citizens: Limited direct impact, but it could reassure U.S. citizens and those in allied nations about stable alliances and peaceful Arctic policies.
- On international relations: Strengthens U.S. ties with Denmark, Greenland, and NATO allies by addressing concerns over past statements about acquiring Greenland; promotes cooperative security in the North Atlantic and Arctic regions, potentially reducing tensions.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- U.S. Congress and executive branch: Reminds of Congress's role in authorizing military actions and funding.
- Governments of Denmark and Greenland: Affirms their sovereignty and supports self-determination for Greenland's future.
- NATO allies: Reinforces collective security and peaceful dispute resolution under the treaty.
- Arctic region interests: Includes indigenous communities in Greenland and broader stakeholders in environmental, economic, and security matters in the Arctic.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Constitutional: Highlights Congress's exclusive powers under the U.S. Constitution to declare war, authorize military force, and control defense spending, serving as a check on executive actions.
- Legal: References treaty obligations (e.g., NATO's Article 1, which bans force in disputes) without creating enforceable law, but it could influence future diplomatic or legal interpretations.
- Political: Responds to public statements by U.S. officials suggesting military acquisition of Greenland, aiming to rebuild trust among allies and promote non-coercive U.S. leadership in the Arctic amid growing geopolitical interests in the region.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (1)
Recent Actions
- 2026-01-15: Referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations. (text: CR S261)
- 2026-01-15: Introduced in Senate
Bill Versions
- Affirming the partnership between the United States and Denmark and Greenland. — issued 2026-01-15 — PDF (3 pages)