The House Baltic Caucus is a

bipartisan Bipartisanship, sometimes referred to as nonpartisanship, is a political situation, usually in the context of a two-party system (especially those of the United States and some other western countries), in which opposing political parties find co ...

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 territo ...

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, and ...

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 moral principles or 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 certain standards of hum ...

; * 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 indust ...

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 Donald John Bacon (born August 16, 1963) is an American politician and former military officer serving as the U.S. representative for Nebraska's 2nd congressional district since 2017. Before holding public office, he was a United States Air Forc ...

(R-NE) and

Ruben Gallego Rubén Marinelarena Gallego (; born November 20, 1979) is an American politician and U.S. Marine combat veteran, having served and deployed as a USMCR Corporal during Operation Iraqi Freedom, who is the U.S. Representative for Arizona's 7th c ...

(D-AZ)

Leadership

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

Past co-chairs

Congressman

John Shimkus John Mondy Shimkus (, born February 21, 1958) is an American politician who served as a U.S. representative from 1997 to 2021, representing the 20th, 19th and 15th congressional districts of Illinois. Shimkus is a member of the Republican Part ...

(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 ...

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

Members

* Rep. Andy Barr (R-KY) * Rep.

Don Beyer Donald Sternoff Beyer Jr. (; born June 20, 1950) is an American businessman, diplomat, and politician serving as the U.S. representative for since 2015. A member of the Democratic Party, his district is in the heart of Northern Virginia and incl ...

(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 Salud Ortiz Carbajal (; born November 18, 1964) is an American politician serving as the U.S. representative for California's 24th congressional district since 2017. He is a member of the Democratic Party, and his district covers Santa Maria, S ...

(D-CA) * Rep. Tony Cardenas (D-CA) * Rep. Buddy Carter (R-GA) * Rep.

Steve Chabot Steven Joseph Chabot ( ; born January 22, 1953) is an American politician and lawyer who has been the United States representative for since 2011. A member of the Republican Party, he previously represented the district from 1995 to 2009. In 20 ...

(R-OH) * Rep.

Judy Chu Judy May Chu (born July 7, 1953) is an American politician serving as the U.S. representative for since 2013. A member of the Democratic Party, she has held a seat in Congress since 2009, representing until redistricting. Chu is the first Chines ...

(D-CA) * Rep.

David Cicilline David Nicola Cicilline (; born July 15, 1961) is an American lawyer and politician serving as the U.S. representative for since 2011. A member of the Democratic Party, he was the 36th mayor of Providence from 2003 to 2011, the first openly g ...

(D-RI) Retiring at end of 117th Congress. * Rep. Steve Cohen (D-TN) * Rep.

Tom Cole Thomas Jeffery Cole (born April 28, 1949) is the U.S. representative for , serving since 2003. He is a member of the Republican Party and serves as Deputy Minority Whip. The chairman of the National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) f ...

(R-OK) * Rep.

Gerry Connolly Gerald Edward Connolly (born March 30, 1950) is an American politician serving as the U.S. representative for Virginia's 11th congressional district, first elected in 2008. The district is anchored in Fairfax County, an affluent suburban coun ...

(D-VA) * Rep.

Lou Correa Jose Luis Correa ( ; born January 24, 1958) is an American businessman and politician serving as the U.S. representative for since 2017. His district is based in Orange County and includes the communities of Anaheim and Santa Ana, as well as ...

(D-CA) * Rep.

Mario Díaz-Balart Mario Rafael Díaz-Balart Caballero (; born September 25, 1961) is an American politician serving as the U.S. representative for Florida's 25th congressional district. A Republican, he was elected in 2002, and his district includes much of sou ...

(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 Tex ...

(D-TX) * Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) * Rep. Jenniffer González-Colón (NPP - Puerto Rico) * Rep.

Kay Granger Norvell Kay Granger (; born January 18, 1943) is an American Republican politician from the U.S. state of Texas. She has represented the state's 12th congressional district in the U.S. House of Representatives since 1997. She has been the ranki ...

(R-TX) * Rep.

Jim Himes James Andrew Himes (born July 5, 1966) is an American businessman and politician serving as the U.S. representative for since 2009. A member of the Democratic Party, he chaired the New Democrat Coalition in the 115th Congress (2017–2019). H ...

(D-CT) * Rep.

Bill Huizenga William Patrick Huizenga ( ; born January 31, 1969) is an American politician serving as the U.S. representative for , serving in Congress since 2011. The district, numbered as the 2nd district from 2011 to 2023, covers much of Lake Michigan's eas ...

(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 (D-WA) * Rep.

Ron Kind Ronald James Kind (born March 16, 1963) is an American lawyer and politician serving as the U.S. representative for , since 1997. He is a member of the Democratic Party. The district is in the western part of the state and is anchored by La Cross ...

(D-WI) Retiring at end of 117th Congress. * Rep.

Adam Kinzinger Adam Daniel Kinzinger (; born February 27, 1978) is an American politician serving as the U.S. representative for . The district covers eastern Rockford, most of Rockford's suburbs, and a swath of exurban territory around Chicago. He is a memb ...

(R-IL) Retiring at end of 117th Congress. * Rep. Doug Lamborn (R-CO) * Rep.

Rick Larsen Richard Ray Larsen (born June 15, 1965) is an American politician and lobbyist serving as the United States representative for since 2001. A member of the Democratic Party, Larsen is a member of the House Armed Services Committee and the House ...

(D-WA) * Rep.

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

(D-CT) * Rep. Bob Latta (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 Eleanor Holmes Norton (born June 13, 1937) is an American lawyer and politician serving as a delegate to the United States House of Representatives, representing the District of Columbia since 1991. She is a member of the Democratic Party. Ear ...

(D-Washington, DC) * Rep.

Frank Pallone Frank Joseph Pallone Jr. (; born October 30, 1951) is an American lawyer and politician serving as the U.S. representative for , serving since 1988. He is a member of the Democratic Party. The district, numbered as the 3rd district from 1988 to 1 ...

(D-NJ) * Rep. Bill Pascrell (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. August Pfluger (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 fro ...

(D-MD) * Rep.

Guy Reschenthaler Guy Lorin Reschenthaler ( ; born April 17, 1983) is an American politician, attorney, judge, and U.S. Navy veteran. A Republican, he is the U.S. representative for and was previously a member of the Pennsylvania State Senate, representing the ...

(R-PA) * Rep.

Lucille Roybal-Allard Lucille Elsa Roybal-Allard (born June 12, 1941) is an American politician serving as the U.S. representative for since 2013. A member of the Democratic Party, she first entered Congress in 1993. Her district, numbered as the 33rd until 2003 an ...

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

Bobby Rush Bobby Lee Rush (born November 23, 1946) is an American politician, activist and pastor who served as the U.S. representative for for three decades. A civil rights activist during the 1960s, Rush co-founded the Illinois chapter of the Black Pant ...

(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 Paul David Tonko ( ; born June 18, 1949) is an American politician serving as the U.S. representative for since 2013. He represented the 21st congressional district from 2009 to 2013. A member of the Democratic Party, Tonko has been called a sta ...

(D-NY) * Rep. David Trone (D-MD) * Rep. Mike Turner (R-OH) * Rep.

Fred Upton Frederick Stephen Upton (born April 23, 1953) is an American politician serving as a U.S. representative from Michigan since 1987, representing the state's 6th congressional district since 1993. He is a member of the Republican Party. His dist ...

(R-MI) Retiring at end of 117th Congress. * Rep.

Nydia Velazquez Nydia may refer to: * Alba Nydia Díaz (born 1955), Puerto Rican actress * Carmen Nydia Velázquez, born in Puerto Rico, a comedian and singer * Nydia Caro (born 1948), American and Puerto Rican actress and singer * Nydia Rojas (born 1980), America ...

(D-NY) * Rep.

Tim Walberg Timothy Lee Walberg (born April 12, 1951) is an American politician serving as the U.S. representative from since 2023. A member of the Republican Party, he previously represented the from 2007 to 2009 and from 2011 to 2023. Early life, educa ...

(R-MI) * Rep. Brad Wenstrup (R-OH) * Rep.

Rob Wittman Robert Joseph Wittman (born February 3, 1959) is an American politician serving as the U.S. representative for since 2007. The district stretches from the fringes of the Washington suburbs to the Hampton Roads area. He is a member of the Republ ...

(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
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" 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, 1 ...

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.html" ;"title="Daniel_Lungren.html" ;"title="ntroduced to House. Sponsor: Rep. Daniel Lungren">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
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
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
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
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
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.