WASHINGTON, DC–Rep. Don Bacon (R-NE) and Rep. Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), Co-Chairmen of the House Baltic Caucus, announced the first-ever authorization of the Baltic Security Initiative in the Fiscal Year 2022 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). The $175 million authorization will go toward ensuring the security of the Baltic nations of Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia, which are critical to the security of the NATO alliance. 

“As Co-Chairs of the House Baltic Caucus, Rep. Gallego and I support our NATO allies and are always working to strengthen and advance the security and prosperity of all NATO member countries,” said Rep. Don Bacon, House Baltic Caucus Co-Chairman. “Our security initiative needs to be included in this year’s NDAA so that we can continue deterring Russian aggression, bolster air and naval defense capabilities, and expand special forces operations in the Baltic region. The partnership and friendship between the U.S. and Baltic states must be maintained for years, and our provision achieves that.”

 “With the growing threat of Russia and the need to ensure the United States’ national security interests, it is critical we stand strong and support our Baltic allies of Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia,” said Rep. Ruben Gallego, House Baltic Caucus Co-Chairman. “The Baltic Security Initiative is a crucial part of keeping Putin in check, and NDAA authorization of this program sends a message to the Kremlin that we are standing strong with our Baltic and NATO allies. I’m proud to have led the charge for the inclusion of this Initiative with my House Baltic Caucus co-chair, Congressman Bacon, and will continue working through my roles in the caucus and on the Armed Services Committee to stand up for our NATO allies.”

Reps. Bacon and Gallego have long advocated for robust assistance and cooperation with the Baltic states, to deter Russian aggression and protect U.S. and allied national security interests. The Baltic Security Initiative would provide 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 defense capabilities.

Rep. Don Bacon is an Air Force veteran and retired Brigadier General who served 16 assignments, including four to the Middle East to include Iraq in 2007 to 2008 during Operation IRAQI FREEDOM. He serves on the House Armed Services Committee and House Agriculture Committee.

 Rep. Ruben Gallego is a Marine Corps combat veteran who served in Iraq. He serves on the House Armed Services Committee, the House Natural Resources Committee, and the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs. 

###