The Central and East European Coalition (CEEC) held a congressional advocacy day on April 26 to discuss issues of critical importance related to the CEE region. Over 40 advocates from our communities in the United States came to Capitol Hill to take part in targeted meetings with over 20 key offices in the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives.
The primary issue raised during our meetings was encouraging continued support for Ukraine’s unequivocal victory against Russia.Among other key legislative priorities are maintaining strong security assistance to Ukraine, the Baltic countries, and other allies and partners – which is needed to ensure victory and deter any further Russian aggression. The CEEC supports, for instance, the bipartisan Black Sea Security Act of 2023, introduced both in the House and Senate. Ukraine must be given a clear path to join NATO, and civil society in Georgia and Belarus must be bolstered. Additionally, Russia must be held accountable for its crimes and terror, and that’s why we endorse the bipartisan and bicameral Holding Accountable Russian Mercenaries (HARM) Act, to designate the Wagner Group as a foreign terrorist organization (FTO).
The day ended with a special screening of the film “Cyberwar 2022” at the Atlantic Council, and a reception at Ukraine House in Washington, DC.
The CEEC, founded nearly 30 years ago, brings together 13 different communities in the United States and their national organizations, including JBANC and its three parent organizations – the Estonian American National Council, American Latvian Association, and Lithuanian American Council. There are over 20 million Americans who trace their roots to the CEE region.