Durbin, Grassley Introduce Legislation To Strengthen Security Cooperation With The Baltics Amid Russian Aggression
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 Initiative Act, bipartisan legislation to effectively codify the Baltic Security Initiative (BSI) effort, which will 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 ongoing war in Ukraine. In Fiscal Year 2024, Durbin secured $228 million in defense appropriations funding for the BSI.
“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 deters Russia from extending Putin’s war into NATO territory, strengthens our partnerships with the Baltics, and enhances their capabilities as critical allies on NATO’s eastern flank,” said Durbin. “Considering the new Administration’s foreign policy views, we must remain steadfast in the need to strengthen the NATO alliance and in our support for the Baltic States as they work to combat increasing Russian aggression around the region.”
“The United States and the Baltic nations share a unified commitment to democratic principles and the free market. Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania have bolstered the region’s security and stability for decades, and it’s critical for us to stand with our allies in the face of Russian aggression. Our bipartisan bill will strengthen America’s cooperation with the Baltics and ensure the region has the resources they need to deter Putin from encroaching upon NATO territory,” said Grassley.
Along with Durbin and Grassley, the legislation is cosponsored by Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Angus King (I-VT), Elissa Slotkin (D-MI), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Bill Cassidy (R-LA), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), and Ruben Gallego (D-AZ).
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 almost three years ago on the morning Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
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