Rep. Liz Cheney (R., Wyo.) said on Sunday it would be "absolutely devastating" for the United States to increase the cost allies pay to support American military bases in their countries.
Meet the Press host Chuck Todd asked Cheney about President Donald Trump's budget, which is going to call for increasing the cost allies pay for U.S. military bases in their countries.
"[Trump's] going to ask for cost-plus 50, essentially tax countries over and above where we have bases. What does that do to the diplomacy for this country?" Todd asked.
"I think it would be absolutely devastating," Cheney responded. "We benefit tremendously, if you look at the last 70 years, we have been able to benefit both from the perspective of freedom, prosperity, security, safety because of our bases and our cooperation with our allies. The notion that we're somehow now going to charge them cost-plus 50 is wrongheaded, and it would be devastating to the security of the nation and to our allies."
"Do you think your Republican Party will support this?" Todd asked.
"I won't," Cheney said.
"But the party might?" Todd pressed.
"Well, I think it's going to be very important for us to make sure that people understand the danger that that will do to our relationships and to our fundamental security. Our security, we've been able to protect it because of our alliances and because we have been able to work with countries. We should not look at this as though somehow we need to charge them rent for the privilege of having our forces there because that does us a huge benefit as well," Cheney said.
President Donald Trump wants countries hosting American troops to pay the full cost of stationing these soldiers, plus 50 percent more, according to Bloomberg. Under the formula, some countries could end up paying five or six times as much as they do now to support U.S. troops.