Gallego Leads Colleagues in Urging Trump Administration to Reverse Cuts to Baltic Security Initiative

WASHINGTON - Today, Senators Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Michael Bennet (D-CO), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Mark Kelly (D-AZ), Andy Kim (D-NJ), and Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD) condemned the recent announcement by the Trump administration to terminate longstanding U.S. security assistance programs in Europe, including the Baltic Security Initiative (BSI) and Section 333 funding.

"This decision makes America less safe, hurts American companies, and is a critical betrayal of commitments to our allies," the Senators wrote in a letter to Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

BSI plays a critical role in bolstering defenses on NATO's Eastern Flank, including maritime awareness, ammunition stocks, anti-tank systems, and special operations readiness in Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania. Section 333 provides military training, equipment, and intelligence support to partner states. These programs are vital deterrents against Russian aggression.

The Senators noted that President Trump reaffirmed U.S. support for NATO allies at this summer's NATO Summit, where member nations agreed to double defense spending targets in response to Russia's aggression.

"The decision to end BSI and other Eastern Flank security initiatives directly contradicts the President's message, sending an alarming signal not only to our Baltic and NATO allies but also to global adversaries," the Senators continued. "By withdrawing this critical assistance, America would broadcast to Russia and China that it is unwilling to stand by its allies, including those it is legally required to defend under Article 5 of NATO should an invasion occur."

In addition, the decision to suspend BSI and phase out Section 333 funding for Europe is a clear contradiction of congressional directives. Congress has also repeatedly backed support for the Baltics, including authorizing $180 million in the Consolidated Appropriations Act for FY22 and an additional $225 million in FY23.

"These provisions reflect a clear congressional mandate to sustain and expand U.S. security cooperation in the Baltic region," the Senators continued. "The decision to end BSI and other programs with no consultation of Congress is only the latest of a string of attempts to both circumvent Congress and directly contradict the

President's priorities for Europe, including Secretary Hegseth's outrageous attempt to pause critical weapons shipments to beleaguered Ukrainian allies without informing President Trump."

"The security of the U.S. and its allies rests on meeting the strategic and legal commitments we make as an alliance. Weakening these foundations only emboldens adversaries in what is the most dangerous strategic environment in recent history. We urge you to immediately reverse course," the Senators concluded.

Read the full letter HERE.

9/17/25