Congressman John Shimkus (R-IL) was a founder of the Caucus, together with Rep. Dennis Kucinich (D-OH), and served as co-chair from 1997 to 2021. Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA) replaced Kucinich in 2013 and was co-chair until 2021. Ruben Gallego served in the leadership until his election to the United States Senate in 2024.
Leaders and members of the Baltic Caucus have worked in the past toward passing legislation regarding Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania, issues that affect the region and its constituency in America. These efforts include, but are not limited to:
H.R.2922 "Baltic Security Initiative Act" - Legislation providing the Department of Defense with $350 million over three years to provide the Baltic States with defense aid.
H.R.4435Howard 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. [Did not become public law.]
H.Res.509Expressing support for the designation of August 23 as Black Ribbon Day to recognize the victims of Soviet Communist and Nazi regimes. [Introduced in the House. Sponsor: Rep John Shimkus, cosponsors 18]
H.RES.302Expressing support for designation of August 23 as "Black Ribbon Day" to recognize the victims of Soviet Communist and Nazi regimes. [Introduced to House. Sponsor: Rep John Shimkus, cosponsors 46.]
H.Res.790Expressing support for designation of August 23 as Black Ribbon Day to recognize the victims of Soviet Communist and Nazi regimes. [Introduced to House. Sponsor: Rep. Daniel Lungren, cosponsors 3]
H.CON.RES.267Congratulating the Baltic nations of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania on the 20th anniversary of the reestablishment of their full independence. [Passed the House.]
H.RES.285Congratulating the people of the Republic of Lithuania on the 1000th anniversary of Lithuania and celebrating the rich history of Lithuania. [Passed the House. Sponsor: Rep John Shimkus, cosponsors 19.]
H.RES.496Recognizing the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall. [Passed the House. Sponsor: Rep Ted Poe, cosponsors 21.]
H.RES.1405Congratulating the Republic of Latvia on the 90th anniversary of its declaration of independence. [Introduced in House. Sponsor: Rep John Shimkus]
H.CON.RES.371Strongly supporting an immediate and just restitution of, or compensation for, property illegally confiscated during the last century by Nazi and Communist regimes. [Passed the House]
H.CON.RES.255Expressing the sense of Congress regarding the United States commitment to preservation of religious and cultural sites and condemning instances where sites are desecrated. [Passed the House.]
H.RES.397Condemning violence in Estonia and attacks on Estonia's embassies in 2007, and expressing solidarity with the Government and the people of Estonia. [Passed the House. Sponsor: Rep John Shimkus, cosponsors 34.]
H.R.5730To 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. [Introduced in House.]
H.CON.RES.128Expressing 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. [Passed the House. Sponsor: Rep John Shimkus, cosponsors 29.]
H.RES.558Welcoming the accession of Bulgaria, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Romania, Slovakia, and Slovenia to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), and for other purposes. [Passed the House. Sponsor: Rep. Doug Bereuter, cosponsors 20.]
H.Con.Res.116 - Recommending the integration of Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia into the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). [Passed the House. Sponsor: Rep. John Shimkus, cosponsors 56.]
H.CON.RES.131Congratulating the Baltic nations of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania on the tenth anniversary of the reestablishment of their full independence. [Introduced in House. Sponsor: Rep. Christopher Smith, cosponsors 26.]
H.CON.RES.258Congratulating the Republic of Lithuania on the tenth anniversary of the reestablishment of its independence from the rule of the former Soviet Union. [Introduced in House. Sponsor: Rep John Shimkus, cosponsors 2.]
H.CON.RES.319Congratulating the Republic of Latvia on the 10th anniversary of the reestablishment of its independence from the rule of the former Soviet Union. [Passed House and Senate, did not become Public law. Sponsor: Rep John Shimkus, cosponsors 8.]
H.CON.RES.21Recommending the integration of Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia into the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). [Introduced in House. Sponsor: Rep John Shimkus, cosponsors 21.]
H.CON.RES.10Recommending the integration of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania into the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. [Introduced in House. Sponsor: Rep Gerald Solomon, cosponsors 42.]
H.R.3564To 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.51Expressing the sense of the Congress relating to the removal of Russian troops from Kaliningrad. [Passed the House. Sponsor: Christopher Cox, cosponsors: 56]
References
↑ "Baltic Caucus – JBANC". Joint Baltic American National Committee, Inc. 2025-06-26. Retrieved 2025-07-05.
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