Key Legislation / Initiatives (118th Congress) – Armenian Council of America

U.S. House of Representatives

Supporting Armenians Against Azerbaijani Aggression Act (H.R.5683) – Resolution which aims to place sanctions on Aliyev and end U.S. aid to Azerbaijan. The resolution acknowledges that Azerbaijan is conducting a campaign of ethnic cleansing against Armenians living in Nagorno-Karabakh (Artsakh) and the United States and the international community have a responsibility to provide immediate humanitarian support. Current List of Cosponsors 

H.R.5686 – To prevent ethnic cleansing and atrocities against ethnic Armenians, promote accountability for the same, protect and provide humanitarian assistance to Armenians in Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh (Artsakh) impacted by actions taken by the Government of Azerbaijan, and for other purposes. Current List of Cosponsors 

Armenian Genocide Education Act (H.R.2803) – Resolution which aims to increase awareness and understanding of the Armenian Genocide and prevent denial and distortion of the event. The bill includes provisions for the development and dissemination of educational resources, teacher training, engagement with education leaders, and the maintenance of an online resource section. It also allows for the acceptance of donations and requires an annual report. Funding of $2,000,000 is authorized for fiscal year 2024 and subsequent years. Current List of Cosponsors

Artsakh Blockade Resolution (H.Res.108)  – Resolution condemning Azerbaijan’s blockade of the Lachin Corridor to Nagorno-Karabakh (Artsakh). The resolution calls on the U.S. government to work with international partners to deploy observers to explore opportunities for security and peaceful development. The resolution also calls on the President to (1) suspend military and security assistance from the United States to Azerbaijan, and (2) fully enforce a U.S. law prohibiting certain bilateral assistance to Azerbaijan until Azerbaijan takes demonstrable steps to cease all offensive uses of force against Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh (Artsakh). Current List of Cosponsors

U.S. Recognition of Artsakh Resolution (H.Res.320) – Resolution recognizing the independence of the Republic of Artsakh and condemning Azerbaijan’s ongoing aggression against Armenia and Artsakh. It calls for the immediate cessation of Azerbaijan’s blockade and attacks, the cessation of all US assistance to Azerbaijan, and the provision of humanitarian aid to the victims of Azerbaijani aggression in Armenia and Artsakh. Current List of Cosponsors

H.RES.735 – Requesting information on Azerbaijan’s human rights practices pursuant to section 502B(c) of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961. All available information about the observance and respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms in Azerbaijan, including information concerning alleged violations of internationally recognized human rights by the Government of Azerbaijan. Current List of Cosponsors 

U.S. Senate

Cosponsored the Armenian Genocide Education Act (S.1329)  – introduced in the U.S. Senate by Mr. Menendez and Mrs. Blackburn. The bill aims to direct the Librarian of Congress to undertake activities in support of Armenian Genocide education programs. It acknowledges previous U.S. commitments to recognizing the Armenian Genocide and emphasizes the need to combat denial and distortion of the events. The bill calls for the creation of an online section on the Library of Congress website dedicated to Armenian Genocide education resources. The bill allows for the acceptance of donations to support the program and requires an annual report on its activities. An appropriation of $2,000,000 for fiscal year 2024 and subsequent years is authorized. Current List of Cosponsors

S.Res.244  –  introduced in the U.S. Senate as a bipartisan effort by Mr. Padilla, Mr. Rubio and Mr. Menendez. This bill aims to condemn  Azerbaijan’s blockade of the Armenians in Nagorno-Karabakh (Artsakh) and ongoing human rights violations. The bill proposes the Senate to condemn Azerbaijan’s blockade of the Lachin Corridor and calls on the President to suspend any new, current, or pending military or security assistance to Azerbaijan, and to fully enforce section 907 of the Freedom Support Act. The bill supports United States sanctions against Azerbaijani and efforts by the United States, the European Union, and the international community to provide humanitarian assistance to victims of Azerbaijani aggression in Nagorno-Karabakh (Artsakh). Current List of Cosponsors 

S.2900  – introduced in the U.S. Senate by Mr. Menendez, Mr. Cassidy, Mr. Whitehouse, Mr. Padilla, Mr. Van Hollen, Mr. Markey, and Mr. Peters. This bill aims to protect and provide humanitarian assistance to Armenians in Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh (Artsakh) impacted by actions taken by the Government of Azerbaijan, and for other purposes. Current List of Cosponsors

S.3000 passed by by voice vote in the U.S. Senate on November 15, 2023, the Armenian Protection Act of 2023, introduced by Mr. Peters, Mr. Rubio, Mrs. Shaheen, Mr. Cassidy, Mr. Van Hollen, Mr. Ricketts, and Mr. Kennedy. This bill aims repeal the Freedom Support Act section 907 waiver authority for the Administration with respect to assistance to Azerbaijan.. List of Cosponsors 

Whitehouse/Magaziner Letter (96 Cosigners) – introduced by U.S. Senators Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Jack Reed (D-RI), Bill Cassidy (R-LA), and U.S. Representatives Seth Magaziner (D-RI), Gus Bilirakis (R-FL), and Frank Pallone (D-NJ). This rare piece of bipartisan bicameral legislation calls for the Departments of State and Treasury to exercise discretionary authority to impose sanctions under the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act on individuals in the government of Azerbaijan who are associated with the military attacks, human rights violations, and the brutal blockade of Nagorno-Karabakh (Artsakh). Congressional Letter

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