Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senator Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), a member of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, joined U.S. Senator Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.) and 12 Senate colleagues in urging Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth to immediately reverse the Trump Administration’s dangerous decision to terminate Baltic Security Initiative (BSI) and Section 333 funding, critical and long-standing security assistance programs. Restoring these programs is particularly crucial given Russia’s recent drone and fighter jet incursions in the airspace of NATO allies Poland and Estonia, respectively.
“This decision makes America less safe, hurts American companies, and is a critical betrayal of commitments to our allies,”wrote Bennet, Gallego, and the senators. “The security of the U.S. and its allies rests on meeting the strategic and legal commitments we make as an alliance. Weakening these foundations only emboldens adversaries in what is the most dangerous strategic environment in recent history. We urge you to immediately reverse course.”
The BSI plays a critical role in bolstering defenses on NATO’s Eastern Flank, including maritime awareness, ammunition stocks, anti-tank systems, and special operations readiness in Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania. Section 333 provides military training, equipment, and intelligence support to train and equip partner states. These programs are vital deterrents against Russian aggression.
In their letter, the Senators noted that President Trump reaffirmed U.S. support for NATO allies at this summer’s NATO Summit, where member nations agreed to double defense spending targets in response to Russia’s aggression.
“The decision to end BSI and other Eastern Flank security initiatives directly contradicts the President’s message, sending an alarming signal not only to our Baltic and NATO allies but also to global adversaries,” continued the senators. “By withdrawing this critical assistance, America would broadcast to Russia and China that it is unwilling to stand by its allies, including those it is legally required to defend under Article 5 of NATO should an invasion occur.”
Additionally, the decision to suspend BSI and phase out Section 333 funding for Europe clearly contradicts congressional directives. Congress authorized $180 million in defense appropriations funding for enhancing the capabilities of Baltic militaries for Fiscal Year (FY) 2022, and authorized an additional $225 million in security assistance for FY 2023.
“These provisions reflect a clear congressional mandate to sustain and expand U.S. security cooperation in the Baltic region,” continued the senators. “The decision to end BSI and other programs with no consultation of Congress is only the latest of a string of attempts to both circumvent Congress and directly contradict the President’s priorities for Europe, including Secretary Hegseth’s outrageous attempt to pause critical weapons shipments to beleaguered Ukrainian allies without informing President Trump.”
Bennet has consistently fought to strengthen U.S. security cooperation with the Baltic countries amid Russian aggression in the region. In March of this year, Bennet introduced the Baltic Security Initiative Act to codify the BSI and enhance regional planning and cooperation, thus deterring Russian aggression and strengthening the NATO alliance. Bennet also worked with colleagues to secure language in the FY 2025 Senate National Defense Authorization Act, which the Senate passed earlier this month, authorizing the BSI to deepen security collaboration with our Baltic allies. This language authorizes $350 million for the BSI for each fiscal year through 2028.
In addition to Bennet and Gallego, U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.), Andy Kim (D-N.J.), and Angela Alsobrooks (D-Md.) signed the letter.
The text of the letter is available HERE and below.
Dear Secretary Hegseth and Secretary Rubio,
We write to you with deep concern regarding the recent announcement by the Trump administration that it intends to terminate longstanding U.S. security assistance programs in Europe, including the Baltic Security Initiative (BSI) and assistance under 10 U.S.C. § 333 (Section 333). This decision makes America less safe, hurts American companies, and is a critical betrayal of commitments to our allies.
At this summer’s North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Summit, President Trump publicly reaffirmed America’s support for NATO, including its frontline members on the Eastern Flank, underscoring that “… we’re here to help them.” This message came as NATO’s 32 member nations agreed to more than double their defense spending targets, affirming an alliance-wide recognition of the increasingly grave threat of Russian aggression.
The decision to end BSI and other Eastern Flank security initiatives directly contradicts the President’s message, sending an alarming signal not only to our Baltic and NATO allies but also to global adversaries. By withdrawing this critical assistance, America would broadcast to Russia and China that it is unwilling to stand by its allies, including those it is legally required to defend under Article 5 of the North Atlantic Treaty should an invasion occur. This decision would invite adversaries to test the limits of U.S. commitments and erode critical NATO deterrence posture across the Eastern Flank.
The decision to suspend BSI and phase out Section 333 funding for Europe is also a clear contradiction of congressional directives. BSI plays a critical role in bolstering defenses on NATO’s Eastern Flank, including maritime awareness, ammunition stocks, anti-tank systems, and special operations readiness in Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania. Section 333 provides military training and equipment and intelligence support to enhance the security of partner states. These programs are not mere symbolic gestures; they constitute a vital deterrent against Russian aggression.
Moreover, Congress has been unambiguous in its intent to help protect our Baltic allies. The Consolidated Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2022 (P.L. 117-103) authorized $180 million for enhanced capabilities of Baltic militaries. The Consolidated Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2023 (P.L. 117-328) provided an additional $225 million in security assistance. These provisions reflect a clear congressional mandate to sustain and expand U.S. security cooperation in the Baltic region.
The decision to end BSI and other programs with no consultation of Congress is only the latest of a string of attempts to both circumvent Congress and directly contradict the President’s priorities for Europe, including Secretary Hegseth’s outrageous attempt to pause critical weapons shipments to our beleaguered Ukrainian partners without informing President Trump.
To that end, we urge both departments to immediately:
- Restore and maintain full funding and execution of the Baltic Security Initiative and Section 333 as authorized under the law;
- Provide to Congress a clear legal and strategic justification for any proposed modifications to U.S. security assistance commitments in Europe; and
- Provide to Congress any and all available evidence that the President himself is aware of decisions to reduce commitments to our NATO partners and views them as consistent with his agenda and existing law.
The security of the U.S. and its allies rests on meeting the strategic and legal commitments we make as an alliance. Weakening these foundations only emboldens adversaries in what is the most dangerous strategic environment in recent history. We urge you to immediately reverse course.