ACA Urges Continued Congressional Action After Armenia-Related Amendments Stall
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Armenian Council of America (ACA) today expressed disappointment that two Armenia-related amendments to H.R. 8595, the National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2027, were not made in order by the House Rules Committee for floor consideration.
The amendments, introduced by Representative Jim Costa (D-CA), with support from Representatives Gabe Amo (D-RI), Mike Lawler (R-NY), and Laura Friedman (D-CA), addressed urgent issues of concern to Armenian Americans, including the protection of Armenian Christian religious and cultural heritage in Nagorno-Karabakh and restrictions on U.S. assistance to Azerbaijan until Baku takes verifiable steps to release Armenian detainees and withdraw its forces from Armenia’s sovereign territory.
“While we are disappointed that these important amendments were not included in the final bill, their introduction alone sends a powerful signal that Members of Congress will continue to push for a U.S. foreign policy that holds Azerbaijan accountable for their ongoing human rights violations and promotes Armenia’s security needs,” said Taniel Koushakjian, ACA Executive Director of Government Relations. “ACA thanks Representative Costa and the bipartisan supporters of these measures for keeping Armenian hostages, cultural heritage protection, and Armenia’s sovereignty at the forefront of the congressional agenda.”
The first Costa amendment would have required the Secretary of Defense, in coordination with the Secretary of State, to submit a report to Congress assessing the damage, destruction, and continued threats to Armenian Christian religious, cultural, and historical heritage sites in Nagorno-Karabakh. Such reporting is essential as Azerbaijan continues efforts to erase Armenian identity from Artsakh following the forced displacement of its indigenous Armenian population.
The second Costa amendment would have prohibited funds from being provided to Azerbaijan until the President certified that Azerbaijan had satisfied key conditions, including taking steps to ensure the unconditional release of remaining Armenian detainees and withdrawing Azerbaijani military forces from Armenia’s sovereign territory.
ACA emphasized that the Rules Committee’s decision does not diminish the importance of these issues or the responsibility of Congress to hold Azerbaijan accountable. The organization will continue working with members of Congress to advance legislation and oversight measures that support Armenia’s security, protect Armenian cultural heritage, secure the release of Armenian hostages, and ensure that U.S. assistance is not used to enable anti-Armenian aggression or human rights violations.
Several Armenia-related amendments to H.R. 8800, the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2027, are pending before the House Rules Committee. These measures, introduced by Representatives Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ), Gus Bilirakis (R-FL), Brad Sherman (D-CA), Gabe Amo (D-RI), Darrell Issa (R-CA), and Jim Costa (D-CA), address Section 907 enforcement, restrictions on U.S. military assistance to Azerbaijan, the release of Armenian hostages, Armenia’s defense needs, and sanctions on Azerbaijani government officials responsible for human rights violations and illegal military aggression against innocent Armenian civilians.
ACA urges the House Rules Committee and congressional leadership to include these amendments in the final NDAA bill.
“Congress still has an opportunity to send a clear message that U.S. policy is rooted in human rights, accountability, religious freedom, and respect for Armenia’s sovereignty,” said Sevak Khatchadorian, Chairman of the Armenian Council of America. “ACA will continue to advocate for bipartisan measures that advance a durable peace in the South Caucasus while ensuring that Azerbaijan is held accountable for aggression, ethnic cleansing, and the continued detention of Armenian hostages.”
ACA remains committed to working with lawmakers in both parties to strengthen the U.S.–Armenia partnership, support Armenia’s democracy and security, and defend the rights and dignity of the Armenian people.
