Politics 15:35 09/02/2024 World

Lawler-Pallone-Bilirakis-Amo bill aims to block U.S. military aid to Azerbaijan

Congressman Michael Lawler (R-NY) joined with a bipartisan group of Armenian Caucus colleagues in introducing the “Armenian Protection Act” (H.R.7288) – a bill, strongly supported by the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA), aimed at stopping U.S. military aid to Azerbaijan. Its Senate counterpart (S.3000), spearheaded by Senator Gary Peters (D-MI), was adopted unanimously last year.

The ANCA has launched a nationwide grassroots action campaign –  anca.org/Lawler – to expand Congressional support and fast-track consideration of the Armenian Protection Act (H.R.7288).

Representative Lawler co-authored this legislation with Armenian Caucus Co-Chairs Frank Pallone (D-NJ) and Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) and fellow first-term legislator Gabe Amo (D-RI). If and when adopted and enacted into law, the Lawler-Pallone-Bilirakis-Amo Bill will tighten the existing statute restricting U.S. aid to Azerbaijan – Section 907 of the FREEDOM Support Act – substantively limiting the authority of the President to waive its full enforcement, the ANCA reported.

“For decades U.S. Presidents have recklessly waived statutory restrictions on military aid to Azerbaijan’s authoritarian regime – materially aiding and morally emboldening both its 2023 ethnic-cleansing of Artsakh and its ongoing illegal occupation of Armenian territory,” said ANCA Executive Director Aram Hamparian. “We thank Representatives Lawler, Pallone, Bilirakis, and Amo for their principled leadership in restoring long-overdue Congressional oversight of military assistance to Azerbaijan. We stand behind this and other legislative initiatives – from Section 907 and 502B-related measures to Magnitsky and Leahy sanctions – to hold Azerbaijan’s Aliyev regime accountable for its violations of international law,” concluded Hamparian.

Rep. Lawler, who serves on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, was adamant about the need for clear Biden Administration action to stop bolstering Azerbaijan’s anti-Armenian attacks. “Over 100,000 Armenians were targeted, abused, and displaced by the Government of Azerbaijan when they fled Nagorno-Karabakh in recent months,” explained Rep. Lawler. “There is no question of Azerbaijan’s aggression, yet President Biden continues to turn a blind eye.” He continued to note that “It’s simply unacceptable for the U.S. to be funding Azerbaijan’s campaign against the Armenian people. The Armenian Protection Act will put a stop to the Biden Administration’s funding of Azerbaijan’s authoritarian regime and desire for regional dominance.”

Rep. Pallone stressed the need for Azerbaijani accountability for the genocide against Artsakh’s indigenous Armenian population. “President Aliyev broke international law when he ordered his deadly assault of Artsakh last September and still has not faced any meaningful consequences from the international community. World leaders failed to stop his genocidal campaign that has displaced 120,000 Armenians from their historic homeland even though his belligerent rhetoric and troop movements made it clear an attack was imminent,” stated Rep. Pallone. “It’s far past time for the United States and our allies to take serious actions that will prevent even more death and destruction at the hands of Aliyev and provide the safety and security in the region that Armenia needs to thrive as a democracy. The Armenian Protection Act will finally hold the Aliyev regime accountable, halt any further U.S. security assistance until they end their destabilizing actions in the region, and require proof that they can be a trustworthy party in peace negotiations moving forward. I call upon House leadership to take up this commonsense legislation and pass it immediately.”

Rep. Bilirakis stressed the importance of passing the measure. “Given the political and humanitarian crisis that has resulted from Azerbaijan’s recent aggression toward neighboring Armenia, it is unconscionable that U.S. tax dollars are going to support this brutal regime. Those dollars could better be used here at home,” said Rep. Bilirakis.

“We must send a clear message to the Government of Azerbaijan and our partners around the globe that the United States will not stand for unprovoked attacks on the Armenian people,” said Congressman Amo, a member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee. “We cannot allow the Government of Azerbaijan to get a free pass for their brutal military aggression and blockades against the ethnic Armenians of Nagorno-Karabakh. I am proud to support this bipartisan legislation to show that the United States stands with the people of Armenia and will not accept Azerbaijan’s assault on Nagorno-Karabakh.”

Both Presidents Trump and Biden – counter to the spirit and letter of Section 907 – chose to materially arm and morally embolden Azerbaijan’s aggression and eventual genocide against the indigenous Armenian Christians of Artsakh. The Lawler-Pallone-Bilirakis-Amo Bill will – by reaffirming this statute – help restore the Constitutional role of Congress in setting U.S. military aid policy and ensuring appropriate oversight and accountability of U.S. security and military assistance programs.



Source Panorama.am
Share |
Տեքստում սխալ կամ վրիպակ նկատելու դեպքում, ուղարկեք խմբագրին հաղորդագրություն` նշելով տվյալ սխալը, այնուհետև սեղմելով Ctrl-Enter:

Newsfeed

17:07
Defense minister: Armenia has no plans to use military to reclaim occupied lands
Armenia has no plans to reclaim around 200 square kilometers of land currently under Azerbaijani occupation by military means, Defense...
16:50
Acba bank and American Express expand collaboration in Armenia
Acba bank and American Express have announced an expansion of their long-standing agreement which grants Acba the license to issue American...
16:34
Yerevan theater staff protests outside HRD office
Employees of Yerevan’s Goy Theater on Wednesday held a protest outside the office of Armenia’s human rights defender (HRD),...
16:03
Lemkin Institute slams COP29 participants for silence over Artsakh genocide
The Lemkin Institute for Genocide Prevention has responded to Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev's remarks at the COP29 UN climate summit in...
15:46
Strong winds expected in Armenia on Saturday
Clear weather is expected in Armenia on Wednesday and in the next two days, the Hydrometeorology and Monitoring Center reports. Rain and...
15:28
Council of Europe committee urges Armenia to close Nubarashen Prison
The European Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT) has published today the report on...
14:58
Yerevan municipal employees remanded in custody
Four people, including three officials, have been detained for two months as part of a criminal probe into corruption at Yerevan's Kentron...
14:25
Bus carrying wedding guests falls into river in northern Pakistan
A bus carrying about two dozen wedding guests fell into the Indus River in northern Pakistan on Tuesday, killing at least 18 people, AP...
14:15
Opposition resolution calls for immediate release of Armenian prisoners held in Baku
The opposition Hayastan and Pativ Unem factions in the Armenian parliament introduced a resolution calling for the immediate release of all...
13:36
Russian gas supply to Armenia suspended
Russian natural gas supply to Armenia has been temporarily halted due to emergency repairs on the Kazakh-Saguramo pipeline in Georgia. In a...
13:15
John Krasinski named People's Sexiest Man Alive
People magazine has named John Krasinski the 2024 Sexiest Man Alive. Krasinski was revealed to be the newest winner of the honorable title...
12:55
'No Armenian is safe': Ruben Vardanyan's son urges action on political prisoners held in Baku
In a heartfelt and compelling video, David Vardanyan, the son of Armenian humanitarian and former Artsakh State Minister Ruben Vardanyan,...
12:30
Armenian FM, Stockholm City Council chair discuss cooperation opportunities
On November 12, within the framework of his visit to Sweden, Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan met with President of the Stockholm City...
12:05
Azerbaijan, the rogue state hosting COP29: Artak Beglaryan's interview to Le Figaro
Artak Beglaryan, president of the Artsakh Union, former State Minister and Human rights Ombudsman of the Republic of Artsakh, gave an interview...
11:45
Trump names Elon Musk to lead new 'government efficiency' department
U.S. President-elect Donald Trump said Tuesday he's tapped tech billionaire Elon Musk, Tesla and SpaceX CEO, and former Republican...
11:30
Armenia's Aleks Sahakyan to be awarded IM title
Armenian chess player Aleks Sahakyan overcame the 2400 rating threshold within the framework of the World Youth Chess Championship and will be...
11:15
Armenians now have a new target: Jordan for buckling under Azerbaijan's pressure
By Harut Sassounian www.thecaliforniacourier.com As if Armenians did not have enough problems to deal with, they must now insist that...
11:00
Greta Thunberg arrives In Armenia, boycotting COP29 In Baku
Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg arrived in Armenia on Tuesday after announcing a boycott of the COP29 UN climate summit in...
17:00
Rain, snow expected in Armenia on Tuesday
Rain and snow are expected in some parts of Armenia on Tuesday and over the weekend. Clear weather is forecast for the next three days....
16:45
Melania Trump expected to skip White House meeting with Jill Biden
Melania Trump is not expected to attend the traditional White House meeting with first lady Jill Biden, CNN reported, citing sources...
16:31
Urartu names new director
FC Urartu has named Davit Shakhbagyan as the club’s new general director. The specialist has been part of the club since 2015, it said...
16:06
Ruling party blocks statement on Armenian prisoners
The parliamentary faction of Armenia's ruling Civil Contract party on Tuesday blocked a statement demanding the release of...
15:30
Negotiations with Snoop Dogg continue for Yerevan concert, ministry says
The new date for the concert of famous American rapper Snoop Dogg in Yerevan remains unknown. The concert, which was initially scheduled for...
15:02
India reportedly ships first Akash air defence missile system battery to Armenia
India marks another milestone in its defence export as it shipped the first Akash weapon system battery to Armenia. This is the second missile...
14:34
Trump picks Kristi Noem as his Homeland Security secretary
President-elect Donald Trump has selected South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem as his next secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, CNN...
14:15
Four arrested after raids at Yerevan district administration
Four people, including officials, were arrested on Tuesday after law-enforcement authorities raided Yerevan's Kentron district...
13:36
Armenian Foreign Ministry explains Mirzoyan's statement on customs simplifications with Azerbaijan
At the ministerial meeting of the 3+3 regional consultative platform held in Istanbul on October 18, Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan...
13:08
Bitcoin tops $89,000
Bitcoin’s record-breaking rally took the digital asset past $89,000 and lifted the overall value of the crypto market above its...
12:36
Armenia sees rise in pneumonia mortality rate
World Pneumonia Day is observed annually on November 12 to raise awareness about pneumonia, a life-threatening but preventable and...
12:13
Opposition urges parliament majority to join statement on Armenian prisoners
The opposition Hayastan and Pativ Unem factions in the Armenian parliament have initiated a special sitting on the issue of Armenian prisoners...

Follow us and get updates!

Most popular articles

{"core.blocks.header.spell_message1":"Selected mistake: ","core.blocks.header.spell_message2":"Send a message about the mistake?"}