U.S. House of Representatives

Armenian Protection Act (H.R.7288) – Congressman Michael Lawler 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.

Current List of Cosponsors | ANCA Coverage

Condemning Azerbaijan’s Ethnic Cleansing of Artsakh (H.Res.1327) – Representatives Anna Eshoo and Chris Smith have introduced a bipartisan resolution (H.Res.1327) condemning Azerbaijan’s ethnic cleansing of Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) and urging the Biden Administration to take immediate action to hold Azerbaijan accountable for its genocidal aggression.

Current List of Cosponsors | ANCA Coverage

Azerbaijan Sanction Review Act of 2024 (H.R.8141) -Representatives Dina Titus and Gus Bilirakis have introduced bipartisan legislation that seeks to enforce sanctions against Azerbaijani officials responsible for war crimes and human rights abuses, including the ethnic cleansing of Artsakh, the arbitrary detention of Armenian POWs and civilian captives, the torture and abuse of detainees, and extrajudicial killings.

Current List of Cosponsors | ANCA Coverage

Armenian Genocide Education Act (H.R.2803) – This key legislation is a 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 | ANCA Coverage

Artsakh revenue Recovery Act (H.R.9666) – Congressman Adam Schiff (D-CA) – the ANCA endorsed candidate for California’s U.S. Senate seat – has introduced a bi-partisan bill to seize Azerbaijani assets for transfer to an Artsakh Revenue Recovery Fund that would be established to compensate Armenians forcibly driven from Artsakh for lost revenue resulting from Azerbaijan’s genocidal ethnic cleansing.

Current List of Cosponsors | ANCA Coverage

Supporting Armenians Against Azerbaijani Aggression Act (H.R.5683) – Resolution which aims to place sanctions on Azerbaijan’s President 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 and the United States and the international community have a responsibility to provide immediate humanitarian support.

Current List of Cosponsors | ANCA Coverage 

Azerbaijan Sanction / Artsakh Aid Act (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 impacted by actions taken by the Government of Azerbaijan, and for other purposes.
Current List of Cosponsors | ANCA Coverage

Calling on Azerbaijan to immediately comply with international commitments regarding the release and treatment of prisoners of war, hostages, and other detained persons (H.R. 861) – Rep. Adam Schiff  introduced legislation today demanding Azerbaijan’s immediate release of Armenian prisoners of war, captured civilians, and political prisoners, including Artsakh government officials illegally detained during Azerbaijan’s ethnic cleansing on September 2023.

Current List of Cosponsors | ANCA Coverage

Artsakh Blockade Resolution (H.Res.108)  – Resolution condemning Azerbaijan’s blockade of the Lachin Corridor to Nagorno-Karabakh (also known as 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 concerning the Nagorno -Karabakh blockade. This key legislation 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.
Current List of Cosponsors | ANCA Coverage

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  Nagorno-Karabakh (also known as Artsakh) 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 | ANCA Coverage 

Azerbaijan Human Rights Accountability Resolution (H.RES.735) – This key legislation involves 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 | ANCA Coverage

Congressional Letters

FY24 Foreign Aid Letter (70 Cosigners) – In a letter led by Rep. Frank Pallone and Rep. Jim McGovern Congressmen and women write to Rep. Mario Diaz Balart and Rep. Barbara Lee for a reformed spending bill for the 2024 fiscal year that limits Azerbaijan and aids Armenia particularly now. The letter calls for robust US assistance in Artsakh, prohibition on US military aid to Azerbaijan and sanctions, security, economic, and governance assistance for Armenia, and exposes the Armenian POW and captured civilian issue.
Congressional Letter | ANCA Coverage 

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.
Congressional Letter | ANCA Coverage

Padilla-Eshoo Bi-Cameral Letter to send Security & Refugee Aid to Armenia (60 Cosigners) – Sixty U.S. Senators and Representatives, led by Senator Alex Padilla  and Rep. Anna Eshoo, called on congressional leaders to send security assistance to Armenia and provide additional refugee relief aid for Artsakh genocide survivors as part of the national security supplemental funding bill.

Congressional Letter | ANCA Coverage

Schiff Letter Urging U.S. to Protect Armenian Culture Heritage in Artsakh (48 Cosigners) – Representative Adam Schiff and a bipartisan group of forty-seven of his House colleagues urged the United States to prioritize the protection of at-risk Armenian heritage sites in Artsakh during all future diplomatic engagements with Azerbaijani officials. The Armenian National Committee of America supportrs this initiative and encourages advocates to urge their representatives to co-sign the Letter.

Congressional Letter | ANCA Coverage

Eshoo-Pelosi Letter (75 Cosigners)- Rep. Anna Eshoo and Rep. Nancy Pelosi  lead an effort in the U.S. House of Representatives to end military aid to Azerbaijan, and impose targeted sanctions on Azerbaijani officials under the Global Magnitsky Act to make clear to Azerbaijan that its aggression will not be tolerated. Rep. Eshoo and Rep. Pelosi call for President Biden to enforce Section 907 of the Freedom Support Act, provide robust humanitarian assistance to support Artsakh’s displaced population and rally the international community to do the same, and take all actions necessary to ensure the safe evacuation of Artsakh’s population to Armenia.
Congressional Letter | ANCA Coverage 

Schiff Letter Demanding U.S. Sanctions on Azerbaijan (36 Cosigners) – Rep. Adam Schiff is leading a letter criticizing Louis Bono, the newly appointed U.S. point person on Armenian-Azerbaijan issues, for ruling out sanctions against Azerbaijan. The letter highlights concerns about the blockade of 120,000 Christian Armenians in Artsakh and emphasizes the need to keep all options on the table to ensure their safety. The Armenian National Committee of America supports this initiative and encourages advocates to urge their representatives to co-sign the letter.
Congressional Letter | ANCA Coverage 

Schiff Letter Opposing U.S. Rifle Sale to Azerbaijan (18 Cosigners) – Rep. Adam Schiff is leading an effort in the U.S. House of Representatives to block the sale of high-powered rifles to Azerbaijan. Rep. Schiff is urging his colleagues to co-sign a letter to Commerce Secretary Raimondo, seeking clarification on the proposed sale and measures to prevent the use of U.S. weapons in human rights violations. The Armenian National Committee of America supports this effort and is working to garner bipartisan support for the letter. The sale of rifles to Azerbaijan has raised concerns about fueling further conflict and enabling human rights abuses.
Congressional Letter | ANCA Coverage 

Barbara Lee Letter to Secretary Blinken (54 Cosigners) –  Rep. Barbara Lee led a letter urging Congress to call on the Biden Administration to end all U.S. military aid to Azerbaijan and end the waiver of Section 907 of the Freedom Support Act. The letter highlights President Aliyev’s continuous threats to Armenia and the blockade of Nagorno-Karabakh, calling for an immediate end to military and security assistance to Azerbaijan.
Congressional Letter | ANCA Coverage

Armenian Caucus Letter at the UN to Sanction Azerbaijan (45 Cosigners) – introduced by the Congressional Armenian Caucus to urge the Biden Administration to lead efforts at the United Nations Security Council to establish a mandate and peacekeeping mission that secures and protects the vulnerable Armenian population in Nagorno-Karabakh. The letter calls for the United States to enforce Section 907 of the Freedom Support Act and prevent any security assistance from going to Azerbaijan. The United States should also quickly move to impose sanctions against Azerbaijani officials to send a strong signal that our country will not tolerate political violence.
Congressional Letter | ANCA Coverage

Costa-Pallone-Sherman Letter (14 Cosigners)-  Representatives Costa, Pallone, and Sherman spotlight the military attacks and continued mobilization of Azerbaijan and call on Secretary Blinken and the Biden Administration to use the Global Magnitsky attack to sanction Aliyev, enforce Section 907, and increase Armenian security through increased monitoring and peacekeeping operation. They also stress the importance of humanitarian assistance and call for the release of POWs and political prisoners.
Congressional Letter | ANCA Coverage

U.S. Senate

Armenian Protection Act (S.3000) (Passed Unanimously) –This key legislation was introduced in the U.S. Senate by Mr. Peters, Mr. Rubio, Mrs. Shaheen, Mr. Cassidy, Mr. Van Hollen, Mr. Ricketts, and Mr. Kennedy. This bill aims to protect and provide humanitarian assistance to Armenians in Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh impacted by actions taken by the Government of Azerbaijan and for other purposes.

Current List of Cosponsors | ANCA Coverage

Cosponsored the Armenian Genocide Education Act (S.1329) (10 Cosponsors) – 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 | ANCA Coverage

Artsakh Blockade Resolution (S.Res.244) (4 Cosponsors) –  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 in Nagorno-Karabakh 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.
Current List of Cosponsors | ANCA Coverage

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.
Congressional Letter | ANCA Coverage