Don Bacon: “I 100 percent support the Baltic Security Initiative. All three countries are our best friends. They embrace freedom…”

“I 100 percent support the Baltic Security Initiative. All three countries are our best friends. They embrace freedom, democracy, free markets, and the rule of law, and no one has embraced our values like these Baltic States. These countries are on the front lines with Russia. They see the treachery of Russia's invasion of Ukraine and know very well they could be next. Why don't the political appointees in the Pentagon see this? It is clear to most that this is the case. Every family in the Baltics knows someone shot by the Soviets or sent to Siberia to die. They have had this experience. The Baltic people know the harsh reality of living under the Russian thumb and know they could be next if Ukraine falls. The Baltics lead the way on defense spending. They spend more on defense per GDP than the United States. They spend more on Ukraine per GDP than us. This amendment is necessary because there are some appointees in the Pentagon who have embraced the foolish policy of decoupling from Europe and weakening our leadership in NATO. We have got to stand opposed to this. We need to use our Article I powers today and be counted for what we believe in. What happens if we withdraw from the Baltics? No one will be more happy than Russia's Putin. Secondly, deterrence will be weakened, and war in Europe becomes more likely if we withdraw. Strong support for the Baltic Security Initiative is a vote for deterrence.”