Bennet, Durbin, Grassley, Colleagues Introduce Legislation to Strengthen U.S.-Baltic Security Cooperation

Mar 23, 2026| Press Releases

Washington, D.C. - Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet, a member of the Senate Intelligence Committee, joined Senators Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) and Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), Co-Chairs of the Senate Baltic Freedom Caucus, to introduce the Baltic Security Assessment Act, legislation requiring the Secretaries of State and Defense to report to Congress 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. Additionally, the report requires reporting on the U.S. and NATO regional deterrence posture and opportunities to enhance bilateral and multilateral cooperation between the United States and the Baltic countries, including through the Baltic Security Initiative (BSI) Bennet helped codify last year.

"Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania are among NATO's most committed allies - spending more on their own defense, as a share of GDP, than nearly anyone else in the alliance" said Bennet. "The Baltic Security Assessment Act will help ensure the United States stays ahead of emerging threats in the region and make clear that we will meet any aggression against NATO territory with firm resolve."

"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. 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," said Durbin.

"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," said Grassley.

Bennet has consistently fought to strengthen U.S.-Baltic security cooperation amid Russia's threats of aggression.

Bennet worked with colleagues to secure language in the Fiscal Year 2026 Senate National Defense Authorization Act, which was signed into law in December 2025, codifying the BSI and enhancing regional planning and cooperation. This language authorizes $350 million for the BSI for each fiscal year through 2028 and was based on the Baltic Security Initiative Act, which Bennet introduced with colleagues in March 2025.

In September 2025, Bennet also urged Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth to immediately reverse the Trump Administration's decision to terminate BSI and Section 333 funding, which are critical and long-standing security assistance programs.

In addition to Bennet, Grassley, and Durbin, U.S. Senators Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.), John Boozman (R-Ark.) 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.) cosponsored the bill.

The text of the bill is available HERE.

###