ICYMI: In Senate-Passed NDAA, Shaheen-Led Provision Requires Trump Administration to Consult with Congress on Troop Withdrawals

(Washington, DC) – In case you missed it: U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), a top member of the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee, secured a provision in the Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) requiring the Trump Administration to consult with Congress and U.S. allies before making changes to U.S. military force posture in Europe. Specifically, the annual bipartisan defense legislation that passed through Congress prevents the Pentagon from reducing the number of troops permanently stationed or deployed to Europe below 76,000 for longer than 45 days until U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and the head of U.S. European Command certify to Congress that it is in U.S. national security interests to do so and that NATO allies were consulted. The Shaheen-led provision also requires the Administration to provide assessments of that decision’s impact.

The inclusion of the provision is especially notable in light of the Trump Administration’s attempt to reduce U.S. troops in Romania by nearly half in October, which Shaheen slammed for being deeply misguided. Amidst reports that Secretary Hegseth intends to alter U.S. worldwide force posture, Congressional oversight of the Pentagon’s ability to remove an American general from the position of Supreme Allied Commander in Europe—which controls U.S. nuclear weapons—is paramount.

“As the Trump Administration continues to undermine the transatlantic relationship, I’m extraordinarily proud that the Senate came together in a bipartisan way to reaffirm America’s commitment to our NATO partners and reassert Congress’ oversight authority on U.S. posture in Europe and beyond,” said Senator Shaheen. “In doing so, we’re establishing a guardrail to ensure Secretary Hegseth must answer to Congress if he attempts to make serious changes that jeopardize regional stability and our partnerships abroad.”

Click HERE to view the national security and New Hampshire priorities Senator Shaheen secured in the NDAA.

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