ACA Submits Testimony to House Appropriations Subcommittee as Armenia Secures Dedicated Funding Directive in FY27 National Security Bill
U.S. House Appropriations Committee approves FY27 National Security, Department of State and Related Programs funding bill; Armenia is the only South Caucasus nation cited for increased U.S. military assistance
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, the U.S. House Appropriations Committee approved the Fiscal Year 2027 National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs funding bill which covers funding for the State Department and U.S. assistance around the globe, reported the Armenian Council of America (ACA). The Committee’s report specifically mentions Armenia and the South Caucasus, stating:
“South Caucasus–The Committee directs funds for countries in the South Caucasus to promote the strategic interests of the United States through efforts to enhance regional peace, stability, integration, and connectivity, as well as to continue robust support for active bilateral charters of strategic partnership. Within such amounts, the Committee directs funds under International Military Education and Training and Foreign Military Financing Program be made available above the prior year levels for Armenia.”
“The Armenian Council appreciates the work of the House Appropriations Committee and is grateful to Congressional Armenian Caucus leaders who called for a stronger U.S.–Armenia relationship,” stated ACA Executive Director of Government Relations Taniel Koushakjian.
Prior to today’s committee hearing, Congressional Armenian Caucus Co-Chair U.S. Rep. Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ) led a letter signed by 45 Members of Congress calling for increased U.S. assistance to Armenia.
In line with the Armenian Caucus’ request, the ACA also submitted written testimony to the U.S. House Appropriations Subcommittee. In his testimony, ACA Chairman of the Board of Directors Sevak Khatchadorian urged the Subcommittee to adopt three core funding levels:
▸ $20,000,000 in Foreign Military Financing (FMF) to strengthen Armenia’s defensive capabilities and expand bilateral security cooperation
▸ $10,000,000 in International Military Education and Training (IMET) to improve interoperability with Western partners and address capability gaps
▸ $100,000,000 in humanitarian assistance to support the more than 100,000 Armenians forcibly displaced from Nagorno-Karabakh in September 2023
Beyond the appropriations request, the ACA testimony calls on the Subcommittee to address the continued illegal detention of approximately 20 Armenian prisoners of war and civilian detainees — including Artsakh’s political leaders — held by Azerbaijan under conditions that raise serious concerns under the Third and Fourth Geneva Conventions. The testimony cites credible documentation, including from the U.S. Department of State’s own Country Reports on Human Rights Practices, of torture and degrading treatment of detainees in Azerbaijani custody.
The testimony also urges Congressional consideration of sanctions on Azerbaijan under the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act in response to documented war crimes, including the extrajudicial killing of captured Armenian soldiers and the targeting of civilians based on ethnicity. The ACA continues its calls for the preservation of Section 907 of the FREEDOM Support Act to prevent U.S. taxpayer funds from being directed to Azerbaijan’s military.
The ACA further prompted the Subcommittee to address the systematic destruction of Armenian religious and cultural heritage sites in Nagorno-Karabakh — including churches, monasteries, and cemeteries — which the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom has warned threatens the preservation of religious heritage and violates fundamental religious freedom protections. Days before the House Appropriations Committee hearing, media reports reached Washington that Azerbaijan’s government has destroyed two more Armenian Christian cathedrals, this time in Stepanakert, the largest city in Nagorno Karabakh, the RFE/RL confirmed. The ACA’s testimony calls for robust Congressional oversight of regional economic initiatives such as TRIPP to ensure U.S. engagement safeguards Armenia’s sovereignty and aligns with human rights objectives.
About the Armenian Council of America
Founded in 1979, the Armenian Council of America is a non-profit, non-partisan organization uniting community leaders and advocates to advance policies that reflect the values and interests of Armenian Americans while promoting human rights, democracy, and regional stability in the South Caucasus.
