The Joint Baltic American National Committee (JBANC) welcomes the bipartisan passage of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) in the U.S. House of Representatives on December 10. This year’s NDAA reinforces the “peace through strength” mantra that has sustained the trans-Atlantic security relationship since NATO’s inception. By authorizing European security assistance programs and including measures that limit troop withdrawals from Europe, the NDAA underscores Congress’s support for protecting U.S. interests in Europe.
The Senate is expected to vote on the NDAA next week.
The NDAA authorizes the Baltic Security Initiative (BSI) at $175 million, a necessary precondition for the program’s continuation in FY26. The BSI assists the Baltic countries in procuring U.S. defense systems that contribute to NATO capability goals in the region, including air defense, maritime domain awareness, and command and control. The Baltic states provide matching funds for each project.
JBANC also supports provisions preventing unilateral decision-making regarding United States force posture changes in Europe. U.S. troop presence in the Baltics remains a cornerstone of the U.S.–Baltic security relationship, with American forces participating in military exercises alongside multinational battlegroups. American force posture in the Baltics remains paramount as a form of deterrence against Russian aggression.
We commend Congress’s decision to support our Ukrainian allies by authorizing $400 million for the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative, requiring reports on lessons learned from the war in Ukraine, including a Sense of Congress condemning Russia’s illegal abduction of Ukrainian children, supporting investigations against Russia into war atrocities, and recognizing Russia as the aggressor in its war against Ukraine.
JBANC will continue to work with stakeholders in Congress to support our Ukrainian allies and ensure the inclusion of the Baltic Security Initiative in the final defense appropriations bill, which is required to maintain funding for the program in FY26.
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