Sponsors (81)
The bill strengthens U.S. and NATO deterrence, improves threat transparency and cybersecurity planning for the Baltics, and may open trade opportunities — but it could raise U.S. costs, risk adversary reprisals or inadvertent disclosures, and burden agency staff if not carefully managed.
Military personnel and U.S. taxpayers: bolsters Baltic defense cooperation and NATO burden‑sharing, strengthening deterrence against Russian aggression and enhancing collective security for U.S. forces and partners.
Policymakers, Congress, allies, and the public: requires a timely (180‑day) unclassified assessment of threats to Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania that improves decision‑making, transparency, and coordination for strategy and resource allocation.
State and local governments: identifies cybersecurity gaps and recommends infrastructure improvements that could reduce successful cyberattacks on government and critical services and guide protective measures.
Taxpayers and military personnel: implementing strengthened defense, cybersecurity, or posture changes called for by the bill could increase U.S. defense and related spending, raising costs for taxpayers.
Small businesses and taxpayers: closer U.S.–Baltic alignment and countermeasures could provoke retaliatory actions from Russia or economic pressure from China, disrupting trade and business ties.
Military personnel and state/local governments: publishing an unclassified threat assessment risks revealing sensitive tactics or vulnerabilities if not carefully redacted, which could aid adversaries.
Based on analysis of 3 sections of legislative text.
Requires State (with Defense) to deliver an unclassified assessment within 180 days on threats to Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania and recommend steps to strengthen deterrence and resilience.
Introduced September 23, 2025 by Wesley Bell · Last progress September 23, 2025
Requires the State Department, working with the Defense Department, to deliver an unclassified report (with an optional classified annex) within 180 days that assesses military, cyber, hybrid, and political threats to Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania and recommends steps to strengthen deterrence, cybersecurity, and democratic resilience. The report must evaluate the roles of Russia, Belarus, China, Iran, and other malign actors, and describe current U.S. and NATO force posture and opportunities for enhanced bilateral and multilateral cooperation.