House Baltic Caucus Co-Chairs Gallego and Bacon Announce First-Ever Authorization for Baltic Security Initiative in FY2022 NDAA
WASHINGTON, DC–Rep. Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) and Rep. Don Bacon (R-NE), Co-Chairmen of the House Baltic Caucus, proudly 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.
"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. Gallego and Bacon have long advocated for robust assistance to 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.
"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."
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