Dear Estonian Americans and friends:

We are writing to request that you contact your Senators and Congressional representative as soon as possible to ask that they vote for continued funding of the Baltic Security Initiative (BSI). There have been reports that the U.S. government intends to stop funding the BSI. This would send a message to Vladimir Putin that Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania might not be defended if Putin attacked them as he did Ukraine. It seems he is already testing the West’s response by flying drones over Poland.

The BSI was created by Congress in 2020 to develop military capacity in the Baltic region. Funding in 2021 was $169 million; in 2022 $180 million; in 2023 $225 million, and in 2024 $228 million, totaling $802 million. Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania have used these funds, as well as their own matching funds, to purchase American made weapons to develop their preparedness and defense capabilities. This benefits the U.S. economy in addition to helping the Baltic nations.

The President requested that NATO countries increase their spending about 2%, and the Baltic States have met that goal as they are all closer to 5%. The Baltic nations should not be punished for meeting the goals that the President set.

While the Administration has signaled its intent to cut BSI funding, any such cut still requires approval by the U.S. Congress, and the final decision is not yet certain. This week, the Senate and the House are writing legislation that could protect the BSI program by law.

If ever there was a time for you to speak up, it is now! Please contact your elected officials immediately to let them know you want them to support the Baltic Security Initiative. We are asking you to email or call your Senators to support Senators Durbin (D-IL) and Grassley (R-IA). Senate Amendment 3689, and to e-mail or call your House Member to support Rep. Austin Scott (R-GA-8) Amendment 464. An easy way to do this is to sign on to the Baltic Call to Action Unit and use their template letter. (Sign up for Call to Action Unit here: https://alausa.org/cta-unit )

Thank you for your help and dedication to preserving democracy and freedom in Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania.

Together we make a greater impact!