The House Baltic Caucus is a bipartisan registered Caucus of the House of Representatives since its inception in 1997 and is composed of members from both the Democratic and Republican Parties. The members of the House Baltic Caucus have a strong interest in promoting opportunities to strengthen the economic, political, and cultural relationships of the

United States The United States of America (U.S.A. or USA), commonly known as the United States (U.S. or US) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It consists of 50 states, a federal district, five major unincorporated territorie ...

with

Estonia Estonia, formally the Republic of Estonia, is a country by the Baltic Sea in Northern Europe. It is bordered to the north by the Gulf of Finland across from Finland, to the west by the sea across from Sweden, to the south by Latvia, a ...

Latvia Latvia ( or ; lv, Latvija ; ltg, Latveja; liv, Leţmō), officially the Republic of Latvia ( lv, Latvijas Republika, links=no, ltg, Latvejas Republika, links=no, liv, Leţmō Vabāmō, links=no), is a country in the Baltic region of ...

, and

Lithuania Lithuania (; lt, Lietuva ), officially the Republic of Lithuania ( lt, Lietuvos Respublika, links=no ), is a country in the Baltic region of Europe. It is one of three Baltic states and lies on the eastern shore of the Baltic Sea. Lithuania ...

Purpose

* Maintain strong relationships with

, and

; * Promote

democratic principles Democracy (From grc, δημοκρατία, dēmokratía, ''dēmos'' 'people' and ''kratos'' 'rule') is a form of government in which the people have the authority to deliberate and decide legislation (" direct democracy"), or to choose gov ...

and

human rights Human rights are Morality, moral principles or Social norm, normsJames Nickel, with assistance from Thomas Pogge, M.B.E. Smith, and Leif Wenar, 13 December 2013, Stanford Encyclopedia of PhilosophyHuman Rights Retrieved 14 August 2014 for ce ...

; * Assist in strengthening free market economies in Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania; * Work to support legislation bolstering the

defense Defense or defence may refer to: Tactical, martial, and political acts or groups * Defense (military), forces primarily intended for warfare * Civil defense, the organizing of civilians to deal with emergencies or enemy attacks * Defense industr ...

of the

Baltic countries The Baltic states, et, Balti riigid or the Baltic countries is a geopolitical term, which currently is used to group three countries: Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania. All three countries are members of NATO, the European Union, the Eurozone, ...

Membership

As of February 6, 2022, the House Baltic Caucus has 71 members from both the Democratic and Republican Parties. The House Baltic Caucus is led by Congressmen Don Bacon (R-NE) and Ruben Gallego (D-AZ)

Leadership

* Rep. Don Bacon (R-NE) * Rep. Ruben Gallego (D-AZ)

Past co-chairs

Congressman John Shimkus (R-IL) was a founder of the Caucus, together with Rep.

Dennis Kucinich Dennis John Kucinich (; born October 8, 1946) is an American politician. A U.S. Representative from Ohio from 1997 to 2013, he was also a candidate for the Democratic nomination for president of the United States in 2004 and 2008. He ran for ...

(D-OH), and served as co-chair from 1997 to 2021. Rep.

Adam Schiff Adam Bennett Schiff (born June 22, 1960) is an American lawyer, author, and politician who has served as a U.S. representative since 2001. A member of the Democratic Party, he has represented since 2013. Schiff's district (numbered as the 2 ...

(D-CA) replaced Kucinich in 2013 and was co-chair until 2021.

Members

* Rep. Andy Barr (R-KY) * Rep. Don Beyer (D-VA) * Rep.

Brendan Boyle Brendan Francis Boyle (born February 6, 1977) is an American politician serving as a Democratic member of the United States House of Representatives, representing a district in the Philadelphia area since 2015. He represented the 13th district ...

(D-PA) * Rep. Anthony Brown (D-MD) Retiring at end of 117th Congress. * Rep. Julia Brownley (D-CA) * Rep.

Ken Calvert Kenneth Stanton Calvert (born June 8, 1953) is an American businessman and politician serving as the U.S. representative for , and previously the 44th and 43rd, serving since 1993. He is a member of the Republican Party. The district is part of ...

(R-CA) * Rep. Salud Carbajal (D-CA) * Rep.

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(D-CA) * Rep. Buddy Carter (R-GA) * Rep. Steve Chabot (R-OH) * Rep. Judy Chu (D-CA) * Rep. David Cicilline (D-RI) Retiring at end of 117th Congress. * Rep.

Steve Cohen Steve, Steven or Stephen Cohen may refer to: Sportspeople * Stephan Cohen (born 1971), French pocket billiards player * Steve Cohen (gymnast) (born 1946), American Olympic gymnast *Steve Cohen (judoka) (born 1955), American judoka and Olympian *Ste ...

(D-TN) * Rep. Tom Cole (R-OK) * Rep.

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(D-VA) * Rep. Lou Correa (D-CA) * Rep.

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(R-FL) * Rep.

Lloyd Doggett Lloyd Alton Doggett II (born October 6, 1946) is an American attorney and politician who is a U.S. representative from Texas. A member of the Democratic Party, he has represented a district based in Austin since 1995, currently numbered as Texa ...

(D-TX) * Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) * Rep. Jenniffer González-Colón (NPP - Puerto Rico) * Rep. Kay Granger (R-TX) * Rep. Jim Himes (D-CT) * Rep. Bill Huizenga (R-MI) * Rep.

Sheila Jackson Lee Sheila Jackson Lee (born January 12, 1950) is an American lawyer and politician who is the U.S. representative for , having served since 1995. The district includes most of central Houston. She is a member of the Democratic Party, and served ...

(D-TX) * Rep.

Marcy Kaptur Marcia Carolyn Kaptur (; born June 17, 1946) is an American politician serving as the U.S. representative for since 1983. A member of the Democratic Party, Kaptur is the longest-serving woman in either chamber of Congress, and the second-longest ...

(D-OH) * Rep. Bill Keating (D-MA) * Rep.

Derek Kilmer Derek Christian Kilmer (born January 1, 1974) is an American politician who has been the U.S. representative for Washington's 6th congressional district since 2013. A member of the Democratic Party, he served as a member of the Washington House ...

(D-WA) * Rep. Ron Kind (D-WI) Retiring at end of 117th Congress. * Rep. Adam Kinzinger (R-IL) Retiring at end of 117th Congress. * Rep.

Doug Lamborn Douglas Lawrence Lamborn (born May 24, 1954) is an American attorney and politician serving as the U.S. representative for since 2007. He is a member of the Republican Party. His district is based in Colorado Springs. Early life and career Born ...

(R-CO) * Rep. Rick Larsen (D-WA) * Rep.

John B. Larson John Barry Larson (born July 22, 1948) is an American politician and businessman serving as the United States House of Representatives, U.S. representative for since 1999. The district is based in the state capital, Hartford. A member of the D ...

(D-CT) * Rep.

Bob Latta Robert Edward Latta (born April 18, 1956) is an American politician who is the United States representative for , serving since 2007. He is a member of the Republican Party. The district includes many of Toledo's suburbs, as well as Findlay, ...

(R-OH) * Rep.

Ted Lieu Ted W. Lieu (; born March 29, 1969) is an American politician and Air Force Reserve Command colonel who has represented California's 33rd congressional district in the U.S. House of Representatives since 2015. The district includes much of weste ...

(D-CA) * Rep. Alan Lowenthal (D-CA) Retiring at end of 117th Congress. * Rep.

Carolyn Maloney Carolyn Jane Maloney (née Bosher, February 19, 1946) is an American politician serving as the U.S. representative for since 2013, and for from 1993 to 2013. The district includes most of Manhattan's East Side, Astoria and Long Island City i ...

(D-NY) * Rep. James McGovern (D-MA) * Rep.

Gregory Meeks Gregory Weldon Meeks (born September 25, 1953) is an American lawyer and politician who has been a U.S. representative from New York since 1998. He is a member of the Democratic Party and has chaired the House Committee on Foreign Affairs since ...

(D-NY) * Rep. Grace F. Napolitano (D-CA) * Rep. Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-Washington, DC) * Rep. Frank Pallone (D-NJ) * Rep.

Bill Pascrell William James Pascrell Jr. (born January 25, 1937) is an American politician who is the U.S. representative for , having served in this position since January 2013. A member of the Democratic Party and a native of Paterson, New Jersey, Pascrel ...

(D-NJ) * Rep.

Nancy Pelosi Nancy Patricia Pelosi (; ; born March 26, 1940) is an American politician who has served as Speaker of the United States House of Representatives since 2019 and previously from 2007 to 2011. She has represented in the United States House of ...

(D-CA) * Rep.

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(R-TX) * Rep. Chellie Pingree (D-ME) * Rep. David Price (D-NC) Retiring at end of 117th Congress. * Rep.

Jamie Raskin Jamin Ben Raskin (born December 13, 1962) is an American attorney and politician serving as the U.S. representative for Maryland's 8th congressional district since 2017. A member of the Democratic Party, he served in the Maryland State Senate fr ...

(D-MD) * Rep. Guy Reschenthaler (R-PA) * Rep. Lucille Roybal-Allard (D-CA) Retiring at end of 117th Congress. * Rep. Bobby Rush (D-IL) Retiring at end of 117th Congress. * Rep.

(D-CA) * Rep. Brad Sherman (D-CA) * Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) * Rep. Glenn Thompson (R-PA) * Rep. Paul Tonko (D-NY) * Rep.

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(D-MD) * Rep.

Mike Turner Michael Ray Turner (born January 11, 1960) is an American politician serving as the U.S. representative for since 2003. He is a member of the Republican Party. Turner's district, numbered as the 3rd district from 2003 to 2013, is based in Dayt ...

(R-OH) * Rep. Fred Upton (R-MI) Retiring at end of 117th Congress. * Rep. Nydia Velazquez (D-NY) * Rep. Tim Walberg (R-MI) * Rep.

Brad Wenstrup Brad Robert Wenstrup (born June 17, 1958) is an American politician, U.S. Army Reserve officer, and doctor of podiatric medicine, who has been the U.S. representative for since 2013. A Republican, he upset incumbent U.S. Representative Jean Schm ...

(R-OH) * Rep. Rob Wittman (R-VA) * Rep.

Randy Weber Randall Keith Weber (born July 2, 1953) is an American businessman and politician who has represented Texas's 14th congressional district in the United States House of Representatives since 2013. He was previously a member of the Texas House of ...

(R-TX) * Rep. Joe Wilson (R-SC)

Legislation

Leaders and members of the Baltic Caucus have worked in the past toward the passing of legislation regarding Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania issues that affect the region and its constituency in America. These efforts include, but are not limited to:

117th Congress The 117th United States Congress is the current meeting of the legislative branch of the United States federal government, composed of the United States Senate and the United States House of Representatives. It convened in Washington, D.C., on ...

S.Res.499
''A resolution celebrating 100 years of diplomatic relations between the United States and the Baltic States.''

115th Congress The 115th United States Congress was a meeting of the legislative branch of the United States of America federal government, composed of the Senate and the House of Representatives. It met in Washington, D.C., from January 3, 2017, to January 3 ...

H.Res.826
''Noting the Baltic States of Estonia's, Latvia's, and Lithuania's 100th anniversary of independence.''

113th Congress The 113th United States Congress was a meeting of the legislative branch of the United States federal government, from January 3, 2013, to January 3, 2015, during the fifth and sixth years of Barack Obama's presidency. It was composed of the ...

H.R.4435
''Howard P. "Buck" McKeon National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2015'' – Legislation designating August 23 as a "

Black Ribbon Day The Black Ribbon Day, officially known in the European Union as the European Day of Remembrance for Victims of Stalinism and Nazism and also referred to as the Europe-wide Day of Remembrance for the victims of all totalitarian and authoritarian ...

" commemorating the victims of both Soviet communist and Nazi terror passed on May 22 in the U.S. House of Representatives. id not become public law.
H.Res.509
''Expressing support for the designation of August 23 as Black Ribbon Day to recognize the victims of Soviet Communist and Nazi regimes.'' ntroduced in the House. Sponsor: Rep John Shimkus, cosponsors 18
H.RES.302
''Expressing support for designation of August 23 as "Black Ribbon Day" to recognize the victims of Soviet Communist and Nazi regimes.'' ntroduced to House. Sponsor: Rep John Shimkus, cosponsors 46.

112th Congress The 112th United States Congress was a meeting of the legislative branch of the United States federal government, from January 3, 2011, until January 3, 2013. It convened in Washington, D.C. on January 3, 2011, and ended on January 3, 2013, 17 ...

H.Res.790
''Expressing support for designation of August 23 as Black Ribbon Day to recognize the victims of Soviet Communist and Nazi regimes.'' ntroduced to House. Sponsor: Rep. Daniel Lungren, copsponsors 3">Daniel_Lungren.html" ;"title="ntroduced to House. Sponsor: Rep. Daniel Lungren">ntroduced to House. Sponsor: Rep. Daniel Lungren, copsponsors 3 111th Congress
H.CON.RES.267
''Congratulating the Baltic nations of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania on the 20th anniversary of the reestablishment of their full independence.'' assed the House.
H.RES.285
''Congratulating the people of the Republic of Lithuania on the 1000th anniversary of Lithuania and celebrating the rich history of Lithuania.'' assed the House. Sponsor: Rep John Shimkus, cosponsors 19.
H.RES.496
''Recognizing the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall.'' assed the House. Sponsor: Rep Ted Poe, cosponsors 21.

110th Congress The 110th United States Congress was a meeting of the legislative branch of the United States federal government, between January 3, 2007, and January 3, 2009, during the last two years of the Presidency of George W. Bush. It was composed of ...

H.RES.1405
''Congratulating the Republic of Latvia on the 90th anniversary of its declaration of independence.'' ntroduced in House. Sponsor: Rep John Shimkus
H.CON.RES.371
''Strongly supporting an immediate and just restitution of, or compensation for, property illegally confiscated during the last century by Nazi and Communist regimes.'' assed the House
H.CON.RES.255
''Expressing the sense of Congress regarding the United States commitment to preservation of religious and cultural sites and condemning instances where sites are desecrated.'' assed the House.
H.RES.397
''Condemning violence in Estonia and attacks on Estonia's embassies in 2007, and expressing solidarity with the Government and the people of Estonia''. assed the House. Sponsor: Rep John Shimkus, cosponsors 34.

109th Congress The 109th United States Congress was a meeting of the legislative branch of the United States federal government, composed of the United States Senate and the United States House of Representatives, from January 3, 2005 to January 3, 2007, dur ...

H.R.5730
''To 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.'' ntroduced in House.
H.CON.RES.128
''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.'' assed the House. Sponsor: Rep John Shimkus, cosponsors 29.

108th Congress The 108th United States Congress was a meeting of the legislative branch of the United States federal government, composed of the United States Senate and the United States House of Representatives from January 3, 2003 to January 3, 2005, during ...

H.RES.558
''Welcoming the accession of Bulgaria, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Romania, Slovakia, and Slovenia to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), and for other purposes.'' assed the House. Sponsor: Rep. Doug Bereuter, cosponsors 20.

107th Congress 1 (one, unit, unity) is a number representing a single or the only entity. 1 is also a numerical digit and represents a single unit of counting or measurement. For example, a line segment of ''unit length'' is a line segment of length 1. I ...

H.Con.Res.116
- ''Recommending the integration of Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia into the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).'' assed the House. Sponsor: Rep. John Shimkus, cosponsors 56.
H.CON.RES.131
''Congratulating the Baltic nations of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania on the tenth anniversary of the reestablishment of their full independence.'' ntroduced in House. Sponsor: Rep. Christopher Smith, cosponsors 26.

106th Congress The 106th United States Congress was a meeting of the legislative branch of the United States federal government, composed of the United States Senate and the United States House of Representatives. It met in Washington, D.C., from January 3, 19 ...

H.CON.RES.258
''Congratulating the Republic of Lithuania on the tenth anniversary of the reestablishment of its independence from the rule of the former Soviet Union.'' ntroduced in House. Sponsor: Rep John Shimkus, cosponsors 2.
H.CON.RES.319
''Congratulating the Republic of Latvia on the 10th anniversary of the reestablishment of its independence from the rule of the former Soviet Union.'' assed House and Senate, did not become Public law. Sponsor: Rep John Shimkus, cosponsors 8.
H.CON.RES.21
''Recommending the integration of Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia into the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).'' ntroduced in House. Sponsor: Rep John Shimkus, cosponsors 21.

105th Congress The 105th United States Congress was a meeting of the legislative branch of the United States federal government, composed of the United States Senate and the United States House of Representatives. It met in Washington, DC from January 3, 1997, ...

H.CON.RES.10
''Recommending the integration of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania into the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.'' ntroduced in House. Sponsor: Rep Gerald Solomon, cosponsors 42.

104th Congress The 104th United States Congress was a meeting of the legislative branch of the United States federal government, composed of the United States Senate and the United States House of Representatives. It met in Washington, D.C. from January 3, 19 ...

H.R.3564
''To 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.''
H.CON.RES.51
''Expressing the sense of the Congress relating to the removal of Russian troops from Kaliningrad.'' assed the House. Sponsor: Christopher Cox, cosponsors: 56

References

External links

* {{cite web , title=Rep. Don Bacon Tweet about meeting with Estonian Prime Minister (07/14/21) , url=https://twitter.com/repdonbacon/status/1415367812646850568?lang=ca Caucuses of the United States Congress Lithuania–United States relations Latvia–United States relations Estonia–United States relations Baltic states 1997 establishments in Washington, D.C.