Can it be? Is the U.S. Congress finally waking from its year-long sleep? Have the members begun looking at the facts of life and stopped listening to the hyperbole and outright lies emanating from high-ranking members of the administration? Have they at last taken a closer look at the state of our country’s foreign relations? Or have they merely become aware of the approach of the mid-term elections, when many of their jobs will be at risk of being snatched from them?

Whatever the reason, in a near-miracle of bipartisan action, Congress has just approved — as part of the Fiscal Year 2026 Defense Appropriations Act passed this week — $200 million in security assistance for the Baltic states of Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia, signaling continued U.S. backing under the Baltic Security Initiative . . . and this despite Pentagon attempts to defund the program.

Republican Congressman Don Bacon — a retired Air Force Brigadier General and co-chair of the House Baltic Caucus, said:

“This is great for deterrence for our Baltic allies. Congress is committed to a strong NATO alliance, and we know that extra emphasis is needed in regard to the Baltics. Most in Congress are committed to NATO and know we need friends to counter China, Russia and Iran. We cannot do it alone. America alone is America weaker.” [Alex Raufoglu, RFE/RL, February 5, 2026.]

Referencing the recent repeated intrusions by Russian drones and aircraft into Estonian and other NATO airspace, Bacon noted that the outcome of the war in Ukraine will directly affect the Baltic states and other neighboring countries, adding:

“If Ukraine falls, we should know with certainty that Moldova will be next” . . . most likely to be followed by the Baltics and Georgia.

“We should not be neutral,” he continued. “We should stand on the side of freedom . . . and against a dictator thug.” [Id.]

Although the Defense Appropriations Act passed the House by a slim 217-214 margin, it cleared the Senate with a much more impressive 71-29 vote, and was promptly signed into law by Donald Trump . . . proving that, when push comes to shove, our lawmakers can work together toward a worthwhile goal.

Now let’s see if they can keep the ball rolling.

Just sayin’ . . .

Brendochka
2/6/26