— Bilirakis-Pallone Bill Aims to Block U.S. Aid to Baku, Free Armenian Hostages, Protect Armenia’s Sovereignty, Return Artsakh Refugees
WASHINGTON, DC – The Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) is rallying behind the ARMENIA Security Partnership Act (H.R.6840) – bipartisan legislation spearheaded by Congressional Armenian Caucus Co-Chairs Representatives Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) and Frank Pallone (D-NJ), that would prohibit the president from waiving Section 907 restrictions on U.S. aid to Azerbaijan unless the Aliyev regime takes concrete steps toward a lasting peace with Armenia.
“The ARMENIA Security Partnership Act represents a common-sense approach to both checking Azerbaijani aggression and strengthening America’s partnership with Armenia,” said ANCA Executive Director Aram Hamparian. “This bipartisan legislation grounds U.S. policy in concrete benchmarks for peace – the release of Armenian prisoners, the withdrawal of Azerbaijani forces from occupied Armenian land, and the protection of Armenian cultural heritage. We need to stop incentivizing continued Azerbaijani hostility, by normalizing its genocide of Artsakh and ongoing violations of international law, and start holding its Aliyev regime accountable for its crimes.”
“Armenia is a key partner in a volatile region and deserves meaningful support as it faces continued threats to its sovereignty and security,” said Congressman Bilirakis. “This legislation sends a clear message that the United States will not turn a blind eye to aggression, human rights abuses, or the forced displacement of ethnic Armenians. Accountability must be at the center of our foreign policy.”
“For far too long, Azerbaijan has been allowed to act with impunity to destabilize the South Caucasus, commit horrific human rights abuses, and threaten the Armenian people,” stated Congressman Pallone. “Our bill is a great step in the right direction to finally hold the Aliyev regime accountable for ongoing crimes against humanity and threats to lasting peace in the region. I look forward to working with Congressman Bilirakis and the rest of my colleagues to pass it into law.”
The ARMENIA Security Partnership Act – Advancing Readiness, Military Exchange, and National Integration with Armenia – would require the Secretary of Defense to certify that Azerbaijan has upheld its commitments under the Joint Declaration, completely withdrawn all military forces from sovereign Armenian territory, unconditionally released all Armenian prisoners, ceased engaging in hostilities toward Armenia, and recognized a right of return for ethnic Armenians to their homes in Nagorno-Karabakh while committing to the preservation of Armenian cultural and religious sites.
If the Secretary of Defense cannot make this certification, the legislation would trigger an immediate review of U.S. security assistance to Armenia to assess gaps in Armenia’s deterrence and self-defense capabilities, a comprehensive report on the scale and nature of threats facing Armenia and recommendations for strengthening Armenia’s long-term defense needs, and a prohibition on presidential waivers of Section 907 restrictions on U.S. military aid to Azerbaijan. The mandated review would evaluate current U.S. security cooperation programs with Armenia – including Foreign Military Financing and International Military Education and Training – and identify immediate steps the Department of Defense should take to enhance security assistance and address shortfalls in Armenia’s ability to deter aggression.
Joining Representatives Bilirakis and Pallone as original cosponsors of the legislation are fellow Congressional Armenian Caucus Co-Chairs Brad Sherman (D-CA) and David Valadao (R-CA), and Representatives Gabe Amo (D-RI), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), Dave Min (D-CA), Jan Schakowsky (D-IL), and Chris Smith (R-NJ), with additional bipartisan support expected in the coming days and weeks.
Pro-Armenia and South Caucasus peace advocates can contact their Representatives through the ANCA’s online action portal – anca.org/ArmeniaAct – to urge support for the ARMENIA Security Partnership Act.
