Washington, D.C. – Reps. Don Bacon (NE-02) and Ruben Gallego (AZ-07), Co-Chairs of the House Baltic Caucus, introduced the Baltic Defense and Deterrence Act. The bipartisan, bicameral bill codifies the Baltic Security Initiative (BSI) secured this year by Reps. Bacon and Gallego in the FY22 federal spending package and creates a complementary initiative at the U.S. Department of State. 

“The tragic events of the last month have taught us once again that freedom must be defended from tyranny. We are now watching in real-time the incalculable human cost when deterrence fails,” said Rep Bacon, Co-Chair of the House Baltic Caucus and member of the House Armed Services Committee. “The geography and history of the Baltic states of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania have made them a tempting target for Putin’s aggression since the end of the Cold War. This legislation builds on the foundation of enhanced security in the Baltics that Congress has worked to establish over the last several years. Freedom must be preserved, and the Baltic Defense and Deterrence Act demonstrates America’s commitment to our most vulnerable allies.”

“With Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Putin has shown his blatant disregard for democracy,” said Rep. Ruben Gallego (AZ-07), Co-Chair of the House Baltic Caucus and Chairman of the House Armed Services Subcommittee on Intelligence and Special Operations. “That is why it is more important than ever to shore up a strong level of support for our Baltic allies in Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia. The $180 million secured for the Baltic Security Initiative in this year’s omnibus spending bill is a tangible example of U.S. support, and the Baltic Defense and Deterrence Act is a meaningful next step demonstrating our continued and steadfast commitment to our Baltic allies.”

The FY22 federal spending package provided $180 million for the BSI which provides robust assistance to and encourages cooperation with the Baltic states to deter Russian aggression and protect U.S. and allied national security interests.

Reps. Bacon and Gallego led the charge securing a BSI authorization in the FY2022 NDAA, which led to the final $180 million included in this year’s federal spending bill. 

The Baltic Security Initiative provides funds for assistance with respect to air defense; maritime situational awareness; ammunition; Command, Control, Communications, Computers (C4) Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) (C4ISR); anti-tank capabilities; special forces; and other defensive capabilities.

In addition to the $180 million included for the Baltic Security Initiative, the federal spending package provides $13.6 billion in humanitarian, military, and economic support for Ukraine. 

Within that amount, $6 billion is provided in State and USAID humanitarian assistance; $100 million in US Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food for Peace aid for Ukraine; $6.5 billion in Defense spending; and $19 million for the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) to support targeted sanctions measures. 

Sens. Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Chuck Grassley (R-IA) introduced the Senate version of the bill.

“Not only do I have strong personal ties to the region, but the Baltic countries are essential NATO partners in upholding democratic values abroad,” said Sen. Durbin. “Our bill deters Russia from extending Putin’s war into NATO territory, strengthens our partnerships with the Baltics, and enhances their capabilities as critical allies on NATO’s eastern flank. I remain steadfast in my support for the Baltic States as they work to combat Russian aggression as well as Chinese economic pressure.”

“The three Baltic countries have been model NATO allies, contributing above two percent of GDP on defense, fighting alongside American soldiers in various missions and providing invaluable expertise in cyber defense, strategic communications and energy security. The Baltics have been warning about the nature of the Putin regime for years and were among the first to provide critical lethal military aid to Ukraine. It is past time to close strategic gaps in NATO’s most exposed flank. Ukraine’s experience shows that Vladimir Putin does not respond to warnings or signals, so deterrence requires a robust defensive military capability in place,” Sen. Grassley said.

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