Congressional Armenia Update

For over two decades, I have served on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, where I have fought to strengthen the ties between the United States and Armenia.

As a member of the Congressional Armenian Caucus, I have advocated for accountability for Azerbaijan and Turkey, recognition of the Armenian Genocide, recognition of Artsakh, and increased aid to Armenia, Artsakh, and Javakhk. Year after year, I have received an A+ rating from the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) and all other Armenian American organizations that rate members of Congress.

Standing Up to Azerbaijan

Last year, the United States House of Representatives recognized the Armenian Genocide. This year, the U.S. cannot be silent as Azerbaijan and Turkey attack Artsakh. In light of recent aggression by Azerbaijan, I am fighting for:

· An emergency aid package for the people of Artsakh and Armenia of at least $100 million

· Immediate recognition by the U.S of the Republic of Artsakh

In October, I joined Rep. Speier in introducing H.Res.1165, Condemning Azerbaijan's military operation in Nagorno-Karabakh and denouncing Turkish interference in the conflict. The resolution condemned Azerbaijan's continued aggressive military operations and denounced Turkey's participation in and escalation of the conflict. In October, I led a letter to Secretary Pompeo urging the Department of State to sanction Azeri leaders for human rights abuses in Artsakh. The implementation of sanctions under the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act will send a firm response from the United States that this offensive, and specifically the targeting of civilians, was unacceptable. More than 50 Members of Congress signed the letter.

The terms of the Russia and Turkey-backed ceasefire ending Azerbaijan's unprovoked violence against Artsakh and Armenia are unfair. We must not stand for this disastrous deal forced on Armenia. We must not view it as a final settlement. The U.S. Co-Chair to the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) must work with our partners to achieve a fair and balanced long-term settlement. Artsakh's right to self-determination must be preserved.

Recognize Artsakh

One of my first actions as a member of the Foreign Affairs Committee in 1997 was to secure $12 million in assistance to the people of Artsakh, thereby implicitly recognizing the independence of Artskah. Now, we need to explicitly recognize Artsakh's independence. In October, I joined with Rep. Pallone in introducing H.Res.1203, Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives supporting the Republic of Artsakh at all levels of civil society and government and recognizing the people of Artsakh's inalienable right to self-determination.

Assistance for Armenia, Artsakh, and Javakhk

Since 1997, I have repeatedly endorsed direct U.S. aid to Armenia, Artsakh, and the Javakhk region of Georgia. In fact, I am responsible for the first appropriation providing U.S. assistance to Artsakh.

Armenia's democracy has proved even more impressive when viewed in the context of its autocratic neighborhood. Thus, in June I co-sponsored H.Amdt.50, an amendment to the Foreign Operations Appropriations bill to increase assistance to Armenia. This funding will allow Armenia to strengthen its democratic institutions, and it sends a clear signal that the United States supports Armenia.

I have worked throughout my time in Congress to secure funding for critical life-saving demining programs in Artsakh. In 2019, I led a letter to USAID, signed by 89 of my colleagues, strongly urging USAID to reconsider its decision to end its support of demining programs in Artsakh. An additional $500,000 was provided to the HALO Trust in December 2019.