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.

Mister President, honorable members of the Baltic Assembly and the Baltic Council, dear friends,

It is an honor to be with you today, on behalf of the Joint Baltic American National Committee, and as President of the American Latvian Association, representing hundreds of thousands of Estonian, Latvian, and Lithuanian Americans across the United States. Thank you for the opportunity to be here among friends and partners who share a deep commitment to freedom, democracy, and Baltic unity.

With 22 new U.S. Representatives in 2025, the House Baltic Caucus has now reached an all-time high of 100 members. It’s a great milestone for U.S.-Baltic relations. The Joint Baltic American National Committee (JBANC) thanks co-chairs Rep. Don Bacon (R-NE) and Rep. Salud Carbajal (D-CA) for their leadership in guiding the way, and Baltic Americans and our Baltic embassy friends for their excellent outreach in reaching this goal. And it wouldn’t be without the interest of those Members of Congress who want to further associate themselves with promoting good ties with Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania.

The Joint Baltic American National Committee (JBANC) hosted its eighth annual Baltic Advocacy Days in Washington, DC, from March 31 to April 2. Over 100 participants from 19 states came to the nation’s capital to attend 64 scheduled meetings in the United States Congress, advocating for continued strong support for the Baltic states and U.S.-Baltic relations, as well as for continued support for Ukraine in its defense against Russia’s invasion.