Durbin, Grassley Introduce The Baltic Security Assessment Act To Strengthen Diplomatic Relations, Security Cooperation Between U.S. & Baltic States

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Co-Chairs of the Senate Baltic Freedom Caucus, introduced the Baltic Security Assessment Act of 2026, legislation that requires the Secretary of State, in coordination with the Secretary of Defense, to submit a report to the House and Senate Committees on Armed Services, Foreign Relations and Affairs, and Appropriations on emerging threats posed to the Baltic countries-Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania. The report must detail the role of malign actors such as Russia, Belarus, China, and Iran regarding military, cyber, hybrid, and political threats. It also would require reporting on the current regional deterrence posture of the United States and NATO and opportunities to enhance bilateral and multilateral defense cooperation between the United States and the Baltic countries, including through Durbin's Baltic Security Initiative.

"Not only do I have strong personal ties to the region, but the Baltic countries are essential NATO partners in upholding democratic values and transatlantic security. Our bill encourages coordination between Congress and the Administration on the threats posed to the Baltic countries by bad actors such as Russia, Belarus, China, and Iran," said Durbin. "Considering the Trump Administration's foreign policy views, we must remain steadfast in support of the NATO alliance and the Baltic States as they work to combat increasing Russian aggression around the region."

"The United States, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania are all united by the principles of democracy and the free market. For decades, these Baltic nations have contributed to the region's security and stability, and it's critical for America to stand with them against Putin's ongoing aggression. This bipartisan legislation will strengthen our ties with the Baltics by ensuring the United States carefully assesses the evolving threats they face and identifies ways to bolster deterrence against Russia's continued attempts to encroach on NATO territory," Grassley said.

Along with Durbin and Grassley, the legislation is cosponsored by Senators Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), John Boozman (R-AR) Michael Bennet (D-CO), Susan Collins (R-ME), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Peter Welch (D-VT), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), John Fetterman (D-PA), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), and Cory Booker (D-NJ).

The son of a Lithuanian immigrant, Durbin has long been a supporter of the U.S.-Baltic alliance. In Fiscal Year (FY) 2025, he secured $231.5 million in defense appropriations funding for the Baltic Security Initiative. Durbin also secured $200 million for the BSI in the recently enacted FY 2026 defense appropriations bill.

Last March, Durbin and Grassley introduced the Baltic Security Initiative Act, bipartisan legislation to effectively codify the Baltic Security Initiative, which Durbin created in 2021 to enhance and strengthen U.S. security cooperation with the Baltics amid an increase of Russian hybrid attacks in the Baltics and across Europe, and Russia's war in Ukraine.

In September, Durbin introduced a bipartisan amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) of 2026 modeled after this bill as the Trump Administration aimed to suspend the program. Durbin successfully secured this provision codifying the Baltic Security Initiative in the FY 2026 NDAA conference agreement

Last Congress, Durbin and Grassley introduced a resolution recognizing the importance of the alliance between the United States and the Baltic States.

In 2022, Durbin traveled to Vilnius, Lithuania, where he received the Aleksandras Stulginskis Star Award-only the second individual and first American to receive this award. It was granted to Durbin for his decades-long support of Lithuanian independence and democracy and his promotion of parliamentary values. He was in Vilnius four years ago on the morning Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

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