Grassley, Durbin Introduce the Baltic Security Assessment Act to Strengthen Diplomatic Relations, Security Cooperation Between U.S. and Baltic States

Grassley, Durbin Introduce the Baltic Security Assessment Act to Strengthen Diplomatic Relations, Security Cooperation Between U.S. and Baltic States

WASHINGTON - Sens. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Co-Chairs of the Senate Baltic Freedom Caucus, introduced the Baltic Security Assessment Act, legislation requiring the Departments of State and Defense to submit a report to relevant congressional committees on emerging threats posed to the Baltic countries. The report would also include the Baltic region's current deterrence posture and opportunities to enhance defense cooperation.

"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 Grassley and Durbin, the legislation is cosponsored by Sens. Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.), John Boozman (R-Ark.) Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), Susan Collins (R-Maine), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Chris Van Hollen (D-M.D.), Jacky Rosen (D-N.V.), John Fetterman (D-Penn.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) and Cory Booker (D-N.J.).

Specifically, the Baltic Security Assessment Act 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 Appropriations regarding threats to the three Baltic countries-Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania.

The report must detail the role of actors such as Russia, Belarus, China and Iran and the military, cyber, hybrid and political threats each pose. It would also 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-Grassley Baltic Security Initiative.

The full text of the legislation is available HERE.

-30-

• Print
• Email
• Like
• Tweet