House Baltic Caucus


The House Baltic Caucus is a bipartisan registered caucus of the United States House of Representatives. It was established in 1997. The members of the caucus are interested in strengthening economic, political, and cultural ties with Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania.
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Purpose

Membership, 119th Congress

As of November 26, 2025, the House Baltic Caucus has 117 members from both the Democratic and Republican Parties.

Leadership

Past co-chairs

Congressman John Shimkus was a founder of the Caucus, together with Rep. Dennis Kucinich, and served as co-chair from 1997 to 2021. Rep. Adam Schiff replaced Kucinich in 2013 and was co-chair until 2021. Ruben Gallego served in the leadership until his election to the United States Senate in 2024.

Members

Legislation

Leaders and members of the Baltic Caucus have worked in the past toward passing legislation regarding Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania, issues that affect the region and its constituency in America. These efforts include, but are not limited to:
118th Congress
  • "Baltic Security Initiative Act" - Legislation providing the Department of Defense with $350 million over three years to provide the Baltic States with defense aid.
117th Congress
  • , A resolution celebrating 100 years of diplomatic relations between the United States and the Baltic States.
115th CongressNoting the Baltic States of Estonia's, Latvia's, and Lithuania's 100th anniversary of independence.
113th CongressHoward P. "Buck" McKeon National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2015 – Legislation designating August 23 as a "Black Ribbon Day" commemorating the victims of both Soviet communist and Nazi terror passed on May 22 in the U.S. House of Representatives. Expressing support for the designation of August 23 as Black Ribbon Day to recognize the victims of Soviet Communist and Nazi regimes. Expressing support for designation of August 23 as "Black Ribbon Day" to recognize the victims of Soviet Communist and Nazi regimes.
112th CongressExpressing support for designation of August 23 as Black Ribbon Day to recognize the victims of Soviet Communist and Nazi regimes.
111th Congress Congratulating the Baltic nations of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania on the 20th anniversary of the reestablishment of their full independence. Congratulating the people of the Republic of Lithuania on the 1000th anniversary of Lithuania and celebrating the rich history of Lithuania. Recognizing the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall.
110th CongressCongratulating the Republic of Latvia on the 90th anniversary of its declaration of independence. Strongly supporting an immediate and just restitution of, or compensation for, property illegally confiscated during the last century by Nazi and Communist regimes. Expressing the sense of Congress regarding the United States commitment to preservation of religious and cultural sites and condemning instances where sites are desecrated. Condemning violence in Estonia and attacks on Estonia's embassies in 2007, and expressing solidarity with the Government and the people of Estonia.
109th CongressTo designate Poland, Hungary, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania as program countries under the visa waiver program established under section 217 of the Immigration and Nationality Act. Expressing the sense of Congress that the Government of the Russian Federation should issue a clear and unambiguous statement of admission and condemnation of the illegal occupation and annexation by the Soviet Union from 1940 to 1991 of the Baltic countries of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania.
108th Congress Welcoming the accession of Bulgaria, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Romania, Slovakia, and Slovenia to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, and for other purposes.
107th Congress
  • - Recommending the integration of Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia into the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. Congratulating the Baltic nations of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania on the tenth anniversary of the reestablishment of their full independence.
106th CongressCongratulating the Republic of Lithuania on the tenth anniversary of the reestablishment of its independence from the rule of the former Soviet Union. Congratulating the Republic of Latvia on the 10th anniversary of the reestablishment of its independence from the rule of the former Soviet Union. Recommending the integration of Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia into the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.
105th CongressRecommending the integration of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania into the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.
104th CongressTo amend the NATO Participation Act of 1994 to expedite the transition to full membership in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization of emerging democracies in Central and Eastern Europe. Expressing the sense of the Congress relating to the removal of Russian troops from Kaliningrad.