Issue Position: Strengthening U.S.- Armenia Ties

Issue Position

As a senior member of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, I have focused on recognizing the Armenian Genocide, increasing funding to Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh, and increasing military training aid for Armenia. I have also recently met with the President of Armenia as well as the Speaker of the Parliament of Nagorno-Karabakh to discuss strengthening ties between the United States, Armenia, and Artsakh.
Recognition of the Armenian Genocide
During World War I and its aftermath, the Ottoman Empire attempted to destroy the Armenian population of Eastern Anatolia. Congress should remember this tragic event and proclaim that the Armenian Genocide is a fact. Unfortunately, there are many who deny that the first genocide of the 20th Century actually took place. It is long overdue that Congress be on the right side of this issue and affirms what history has shown to be true. Since coming to Congress in 1997, I have cosponsored every resolution commemorating the Armenian Genocide. In March 2009, my colleagues and I introduced a resolution calling for the U.S. to recognize the Armenian Genocide. In March 2010, the House Foreign Affairs Committee voted on this resolution.
The resolution passed narrowly, by just one vote, with a final tally of 23 to 22. At the vote, I stressed that the last act of any genocide is genocide denial, and the first act of preventing the next genocide is to acknowledge past acts of genocide. There is no doubt about the historical reality of the Armenian Genocide, and this resolution should have passed by a larger margin. I fought diligently to bring the Armenian Genocide Resolution to a vote on the House floor before the closing of the previous two-year session of Congress in December 2010. I brought the case for recognition to many members of Congress, in order to achieve a majority of votes. Unfortunately, the House leadership at the time decided to not bring the resolution to a vote on the floor.

I am an original cosponsor of the new Armenian Genocide Resolution introduced this year. I will not give up this fight -- I will continue to organize efforts in Congress to ensure that we bring the Armenian Genocide Resolution to a successful vote on the House floor.
Celebrating Armenian Independence
This fall, I had the pleasure of attending several important events with political leaders visiting the United States from Armenia and Artsakh. On September 25, 2011, I celebrated Armenian Independence Day with Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan and Armenian-Americans from all across California. Upon meeting President Sargsyan, I presented him with a flag flown over the U.S. Capitol. Additionally, on September 13, 2011, I joined Nagorno Karabakh Republic (Artsakh) Parliament Speaker Ashot Ghulian and Parliament Member Zoya Lazaryan at a Capitol Hill commemoration of the 20th anniversary of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic's independence. I spoke on increasing U.S. aid for Artsakh and the economic and democratic achievements of the Republic -- despite living in a state of coercion imposed by Azerbaijan -- since its Independence. On Capitol Hill, I celebrated Armenia's independence at an event, "Republic of Armenia: 20 Years of Independent Statehood, Freedom, Democracy and Progress" along with other Congressional friends of Armenia. I spoke on Armenia's achievements the past two decades and the continued need to strengthen relations between the U.S. and Armenia.
Foreign Aid for Armenia
Since 1993, Congress has provided about $2 billion in assistance to Armenia. This funding has helped Armenia make the transition from a state to a free market economy, build democratic institutions, and provide for the needs of the Armenian people. As a leading member of the Congressional Caucus on Armenian Issues, I have fought against cuts in aid to Armenia, year after year. In the

President's most recent budget request, he called for $40 million in assistance to Armenia. I am supporting efforts to secure additional aid to Armenia in 2012. I requested along with my colleagues $60 million in assistance to Armenia from the Appropriations Committee.

Fighting to Deliver Aid to Nagorno-Karabakh
I am also fighting for increased aid to Nagorno-Karabakh. This year, I have requested along with my colleagues that the Foreign Operations subcommittee include language requiring that not less than $10 million be expended in 2012 for Nagorno-Karabakh.
The State Department has failed to follow Congressional direction to deliver funds to Nagorno Karabakh. From 2004 to 2010, the State Department expended less than $13 million, while Congressional intent expressed through reports and public law called for $46 million for humanitarian and, as of 2010, development assistance. I joined with Congressman Frank Pallone and others in urging the Foreign Operations subcommittee to include language requiring that not less than $10 million be expended in Fiscal Year 2012 for Nagorno Karabakh. We must make sure that Artsakh receives the aid that Congress appropriates for it, and I will continue to press the Appropriations Committee and the State Department on this important issue.
Maintaining Parity in Military Aid to Armenia and Azerbaijan
Congress has for years maintained parity in Foreign Military Financing and International Military Education and Training aid to Armenia and Azerbaijan. Year after year, I have fought attempts by administrations to increase aid to Azerbaijan without increasing aid for Armenia. I do not support military aid to Azerbaijan. However, I have successfully worked to ensure Armenia receives at least as much funding as Azerbaijan in light of attempts by administrations to end parity between the two countries. I am pushing for increases in Foreign Military Financing and International Military Education and Training for Armenia in 2012. The President's request included $3 million in Foreign Military Financing for both Armenia and Azerbaijan. However, the President's request for International Military Education and Training included twice as much for Azerbaijan than Armenia, with only $450,000 for Armenia and $900,000 for Azerbaijan. In fact, I requested that the Appropriations Committee provide $8 million in Foreign Military Financing and $2million for International Military Education and Training for Armenia for 2012

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