Bill · H.R. 8817· House(119-HR-8817)
FORTIFY Act
- Introduced
- 5/14/2026
- Last activity
- 5/14/2026 — Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.
- Sponsored by
- Julie Johnson
- Cosponsors
- - 10 - 3
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill, known as the "Facilitating Operational Readiness Through Inter-Baltics Flexibility Act" or the "FORTIFY Act," aims to allow the transfer of United States defense articles and services among the Baltic states. It specifically covers Estonia, Lithuania, and Latvia. The legislation removes the requirement for prior Presidential consent for these retransfers. It also directs the modification of existing agreements to remove consent requirements. Additionally, it tasks the Secretary of Defense with establishing a common coalition key for sharing ammunition.
Yes
Does this strengthen ties with allied countries?+7
Strengthens military cooperation and resource sharing among Baltic allies.
Does this favour talking over confrontation abroad?+5
Enhances strategic coordination with Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania.
The opposite
Does this give the federal government more power?-3
Reduces the President's direct control and requirement for consent over defense article transfers.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Enhanced Deterrence: Providing the Baltic states with the capability to use each other's defense articles and services could complicate Russian Federation planning and enhance deterrence at no cost (Section 2).
-
Increased Operational Readiness: Allowing the Baltic states to use the defense articles and services of one another, along with provided training, could allow a combined fleet to operate anywhere in the Baltic region at any time (Section 2).
-
Simplified Resource Sharing: The establishment of a common coalition key would allow for the sharing of ammunition for training and operational purposes among the Baltic states (Section 3(b)).
-
Streamlined Defense Transfers: By removing the requirement for prior Presidential consent for retransfers, the bill allows for faster movement of defense articles and services between Estonia, Lithuania, and Latvia (Section 3(a)(1)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- No specific negative impacts or burdens are explicitly stated in the provided text.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Improves International Alliances+7Improves Diplomatic Engagement+5
- Governance And Ideology
- Increases Federal Power-3
- 9/10/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 8/10/2026
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- 6/24/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 6/23/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 6/10/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 6/8/2026
- 3 Cosponsors added.
- 5/14/2026
- Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.
- 4 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in House
Don BaconRepublican · Nebraska
Wesley BellDemocrat · Missouri
Ed CaseDemocrat · Hawaii
Jim CostaDemocrat · California
Salud CarbajalDemocrat · California
Sarah ElfrethDemocrat · Maryland
Lois FrankelDemocrat · Florida
Marcy KapturDemocrat · Ohio
William KeatingDemocrat · Massachusetts
Mike QuigleyDemocrat · Illinois
Keith SelfRepublican · Texas
Dina TitusDemocrat · Nevada
Joe WilsonRepublican · South Carolina