U.S. Reps. Don Bacon (R-NE) and Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) recently introduced the Baltic Defense and Deterrence Act, which seeks to enhance support for Baltic allies by codifying the U.S. Department of State’s Baltic Security Initiative.
“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,” Bacon, co-chair of the House Baltic Caucus and member of the House Armed Services Committee, said. “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.”
Bacon said the bill builds on the foundation of enhanced security in the Baltics that Congress has worked to establish over the last several years.
“With Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Putin has shown his blatant disregard for democracy,” Gallego, co-chair of the House Baltic Caucus and Chairman of the House Armed Services Subcommittee on Intelligence and Special Operations, said. “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.”
Gallego said 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.”