Two competing proposals for Greenland have been introduced in the US House of Representatives—one giving Trump the authority to annex the island, the other explicitly forbidding it.
There are now two competing bills in Congress that could determine US action related to Greenland, both in response to statements by President Donald Trump that the United States “needs” the semi-autonomous island—and that it will be acquired the “easy way” or the “hard way.”
The Fine Plan: Give Trump Authority to Annex Greenland
On Monday, Rep. Randy Fine (R-Florida) introduced legislation to annex Greenland from Denmark and admit it as a state. Fine’s “Greenland Annexation and Statehood Act” was intended to secure “America’s strategic national security interests in the Arctic and counter … the growing threats posed by China and Russia,” the Florida lawmaker said.
“Greenland is not a distant outpost we can afford to ignore—it is a vital national security asset,” said Fine. “Whoever controls Greenland controls key Arctic shipping lanes and the security architecture protecting the United States. America cannot leave that future in the hands of regimes that despise our values and seek to undermine our security.”
The bill would authorize Trump to “take whatever steps [are] necessary to annex or acquire Greenland as a territory of the United States”—eventually paving the way for it to become the 51st US state, though its current population is far smaller than any other state in the union.
“For too long, American leadership stood by while our adversaries chipped away at our geopolitical dominance,” Fine continued. “My bill will protect our homeland, secure our economic future, and ensure that America—not China or Russia—sets the rules in the Arctic. That is what American leadership and strength look like.”
Fine, who represents the Sunshine State’s 6th Congressional District, is the newest member of Congress. He was elected in a special election on April 1, 2025, to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Mike Waltz, who stepped down to serve as National Security Advisor. Waltz resigned from the latter position following last year’s “Signalgate” incident, but was instead appointed as Trump’s ambassador to the United Nations.
The Keating Plan: Bipartisan Effort to Block Annexation
A competing bill was also introduced on Monday that would prevent Trump from taking action to annex Greenland or invade any NATO countries.
“This is about our fundamental shared goals and our fundamental security, not just in Europe, but in the United States itself,” Rep. Bill Keating (D-Mass.) told Politico.
Keating is a co-sponsor of the legislation, alongside Rep. Steny Hoyer (D-Md.), Rep. Brendan Boyle (D-Pa.), and retiring centrist Rep. Don Bacon (R-Neb.), the only Republican to support it.
“This isn’t just about Greenland. This is about our security,” Keating added. He further wrote in a letter to other members of Congress, “This legislation takes a clear stand against such action and further supports NATO allies and partners.”
A Senate Delegation Is Headed to Denmark
A bipartisan group of lawmakers will also visit Denmark to meet with Danish officials. The delegation is being led by Sen. Chris Coons (D-Del.) and also includes Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), and Thom Tillis (R-N.C.)—who, like Bacon, is retiring in January 2027.
Several members of the House of Representatives are also joining the visit, including Representatives Gregory Meeks (D-N.Y.), Madeleine Dean (D-Penn.), Sara Jacobs (D-Calif.), and Sarah McBride (D-Del.).
“Denmark has always been a strong diplomatic, economic, and security partner who sacrificed more lives than any other country relative to its population when the United States invoked Article 5 following the September 11 attacks. At a time of increasing international instability, we need to draw closer to our allies, not drive them away, and this delegation will send a clear message that Congress is committed to NATO and our network of alliances,” Coons said in a statement.
His comments were echoed by Tillis, who described Denmark as a “trusted NATO ally” and “essential partner” of the United States.
“As co-chair of the Senate NATO Observer Group, I believe it is critical that Congress stands united in supporting our allies and respecting the sovereignty of Denmark and Greenland,” said Tillis.
The lawmakers also expressed support for NATO, as many MAGA commentators have questioned the need for the military alliance in the 21st century.
“NATO isn’t obsolete or a waste of money; it’s a vital investment in keeping the American people safe,” said Jacobs. “With partner nations like Denmark, we help keep each other safe by pooling information and capabilities – magnifying our power and making us stronger together than on our own.”
About the Author: Peter Suciu
Peter Suciu has contributed over 3,200 published pieces to more than four dozen magazines and websites over a 30-year career in journalism. He regularly writes about military hardware, firearms history, cybersecurity, politics, and international affairs. Peter is also a contributing writer for Forbes and Clearance Jobs. He is based in Michigan. You can follow him on Twitter: @PeterSuciu. You can email the author: [email protected].
Image: Shutterstock / mark reinstein.
