WASHINGTON – This week, U.S. Senator Roy Blunt (Mo.) helped introduce the Baltic Defense and Deterrence Act, bipartisan and bicameral legislation to effectively codify the Baltic Security Initiative effort and create a complementary initiative at the U.S. Department of State. Jointly, these two efforts will enhance and strengthen U.S. security and economic cooperation with the Baltic countries – Latvia, Estonia and Lithuania – amid Russia’s continued aggression in Eastern Europe and heightened tensions with China.
“Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine is an assault against democracy in Europe and across the globe,” said Blunt. “This bipartisan bill will enhance our nation’s military and economic ties with the Baltics, strengthening our steadfast defensive military commitment to them at this critical moment. As a strong advocate for NATO and the Baltics, I urge my colleagues to support this bill and other efforts to further unify the U.S. and our allies against authoritarian nations that seek to undermine democracy around the world.”
The FY22 government funding bill, which Blunt supported and was signed into law this month, provided $180 million for the Baltic Security Initiative. In addition, the legislation included $13.6 billion in humanitarian, military, and economic support for Ukraine:
- $6 billion for USAID humanitarian assistance;
- $100 million for the U.S. Department of Agriculture Food for Peace Program for Ukraine;
- $6.5 billion to provide rapid military aid to Ukraine and to enhance U.S. military defenses on NATO’s Eastern flank; and
- $19 million for the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) to support targeted sanctions measures.
Blunt previously joined 31 of his Senate Republican colleagues in introducing the Never Yielding Europe’s Territory (NYET) Act to provide critical support to Ukraine while imposing real costs on the Kremlin for its aggression.
Earlier this month, the Senate unanimously passed a resolution condemning Vladimir Putin as a war criminal.
During a congressional delegation trip to Estonia in 2015, Blunt met with Air Force Reservists from the 442nd Fighter Wing, based at Whiteman Air Force Base in Missouri, who were training with NATO allies as part of Operation Atlantic Resolve.
The Baltic Defense and Deterrence Act was led by U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (Ill.) and Chuck Grassley (Iowa). U.S. Representatives Ruben Gallego (Ariz.) and Don Bacon (Neb.) introduced companion legislation in the House.