Gallego Re-Appointed to Bipartisan Helsinki Commission

WASHINGTON - Senator Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) was formally re-appointed to serve on the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe, also known as the Helsinki Commission. Created in 1976, this independent U.S. Government agency monitors compliance and advancement of human rights, democracy, economic, environmental, and military cooperation in the 57-nation Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) region. Senator Gallego was also on the Commission in the 117th and 118th Congresses.

"I'm proud to once again be on the Helsinki Commission at a time when strengthening partnerships with our European allies and standing up for democracy abroad has never been more important," said Senator Gallego. "The Commission plays an important role in defending freedom, protecting human rights, and holding bad actors accountable, and it is an honor to continue to be part of that work."

In September, Senator Gallego traveled to Finland on a congressional delegation (CODEL) trip to meet with President Alexander Stubb and participate in the fourth annual Helsinki Security Forum. As part of a bipartisan CODEL in April, Senator Gallego met with senior defense officials, military leadership, and diplomatic partners in the OSCE countries of Slovakia, Germany, and the United Kingdom.

Congress originally created the Helsinki Commission in response to dissidents in the Soviet Union and its Eastern European allies, who saw the Helsinki Final Act as a new opportunity to hold governments accountable for their human rights records. The end of the Cold War allowed the Commission to expand its commitment to new areas, such as free and fair elections, energy security and the environment, and combating corruption and terrorism.

The Commission consists of nine members from the Senate, nine members from the House of Representatives, and one member each from the Departments of State, Defense, and Commerce.

12/9/25