MENG, BILIRAKIS, TITUS, AND MALLIOTAKIS INTRODUCE LEGISLATION TO SUPPORT THE US-HELLENIC RELATIONSHIP
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Reps. Grace Meng (NY-06), Gus Bilirakis (FL-12), Dina Titus (NV-01), and Nicole Malliotakis (NY-11), leaders on the Congressional Hellenic Caucus, introduced the United States-Greece Security Cooperation Reporting Act (H.R.4343), a bipartisan bill supporting the U.S.-Hellenic relationship and reinforcing its strategic partnership.
This legislation would require the Secretary of Defense to report to Congress on the deepening security relationship between the United States and Greece and identify new opportunities to strengthen it. Specifically, the report would include a description of basing rights afforded under the 2021 United States-Greece Mutual Defense Cooperation Agreement, which allows U.S. military forces access to four additional military bases in Greece, specifically on Greek islands.
The bill comes as ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East have forced the Pentagon to increase military activity in the region. Basing activity at Alexandroupolis and Souda Bay have been essential pillars of US and NATO power projection across the Eastern Mediterranean, East and Southeastern Europe, Ukraine, and the Middle East, playing supply chain and logistics roles, including in the continued resupply of Ukraine as it continues to repel Russia’s illegal and unprovoked invasion. Meng previously introduced a similar version of this legislation as an amendment to the 2024 National Defense Authorization Act, which passed the House of Representatives at the time.
“Supporting the U.S.-Greece relationship has been a priority of mine since I first arrived in Congress,” said Congresswoman Meng. “Queens is home to a robust and active Greek community that I am proud to represent. This legislation will help strengthen the bond between our nations by supporting our strong U.S.-Greece defense relationship and expanding horizons for US and NATO collaboration to support our allies and counter our adversaries. Greece is one of our strongest allies, and Congress must continue to foster the partnership between our two countries and honor our Hellenic communities by advancing this legislation.”
“The strategic partnership between the United States and Greece is more vital than ever. As a cornerstone of stability in the Eastern Mediterranean, Greece plays a critical role in promoting regional security, countering malign influence, and supporting NATO’s collective defense,” said Congressman Bilirakis. “The U.S.-Greece Security Cooperation Reporting Act is an important step toward ensuring that our mutually beneficial alliance remains strong, transparent, and forward-looking. By enhancing our defense cooperation and deepening intelligence and security ties, this legislation reaffirms our shared commitment to peace, democracy, and shared prosperity. Strengthening this partnership not only advances American national security interests but also helps safeguard a free and stable Europe.”
“The security relationship that the United States and Greece share is too important to be overlooked. That is why I have joined my colleagues in supporting the US-Greece Security Cooperation Reporting Act and making sure the Administration keeps Congress up to speed on how the Mutual Defense Cooperation Agreement and the potential for a modified U.S. military presence can support our nations’ continued bilateral cooperation,” said Congresswoman Titus.
“I join my colleagues in introducing bipartisan legislation that deepens the United States’ enduring security alliance with Greece,” said Congresswoman Malliotakis. “Strengthening cooperation with our Hellenic partners bolsters U.S. security, deters aggression in the Eastern Mediterranean, and promotes regional stability. This bill also requires regular reviews of our force posture and underscores the strategic value of key sites such as Souda Bay and Alexandroupolis. With this measure, we reaffirm that the United States will stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Greece to defend our shared democratic values and secure the Eastern Mediterranean for generations to come.”
The bill is supported by the Hellenic American Leadership Council, the American Hellenic Institute, the American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association (AHEPA), and the Daughters of Penelope.
“For over a decade, Congress has led the way in the closest US-Greece bilateral relationship ever,” said Endy Zemenides, Executive Director of the Hellenic American Leadership Council. “Congresswoman Meng has long recognized the important role that the bases covered under the Mutual Defense Cooperation Agreement have played. The legislation she and her colleagues are introducing will help optimize this asset and take the bilateral relationship to the next level.”
“The American Hellenic Institute applauds Congresswoman Grace Meng for her continued leadership on U.S.-Greece defense relations, which is the cornerstone of the bilateral relationship between the two countries,” said Alexander Christofor, Legislative Director of the American Hellenic Institute. “AHI thanks her for introducing this bill, which will allow the U.S. to gain information needed to potentially increase it's utilization of Greece's geostrategic locations, including Alexandropolis.”
“The annual United States-Greece security relationship report, as drafted by the Secretary of Defense, is a quintessential piece of cooperation between the United States and the Hellenic Republic,” said Savas C. Tsivicos, AHEPA National President. “A fellow member of NATO, regularly surpassing the 2% of GDP target for military spending, Greece is a close and reliable ally. Greece’s cooperation in the Eastern Mediterranean, Southeastern Europe, Eastern Europe, and the Middle East is pivotal to U.S. foreign policy, and Congresswoman Meng’s United States-Greece Security Cooperation Reporting Act seeks only to bolster this. AHEPA, a leading Greek American grassroots association, applauds the bill’s introduction and calls for its passage.”
“We are proud to support Congresswoman Meng’s bipartisan US-Greece Security Cooperation Reporting Act,” said Daughters of Penelope National President Margaret Dritsas. “The bill rightfully recognizes the longstanding and strong security relationship between the NATO allies, and Greece’s vital role in security in the region, as demonstrated by the United States’ increased military investment in Greece. A detailed report to assess the security relationship will serve to further enhance that relationship.”
Meng also serves as a member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs, which oversees federal funding appropriated to the State Department and other federal agencies supporting national security and foreign operations.
# # #