Sherman Presses Obama Administration on U.S. – Armenia Aid and Trade Priorities

ANCA National and Regional Board Members and constituents meet with Rep. Brad Sherman (D-CA) during the ANCA Fly-In for Peace, Prosperity and Justice on March 15/16

Watch Rep. Sherman Question Treasury Secretary Lew on Double-Tax Treaty; USAID Administrator Smith on Aid to Artsakh, Armenia, and Syrian Armenians

WASHINGTON– Congressman Brad Sherman (D-CA), a senior member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, has, in the past week, pressed several Obama Administration officials – including Treasury Secretary Jacob Lew and USAID Administrator Gayle Smith – for answers about proposed cuts in aid to Artsakh, foot-dragging on a U.S.-Armenia Double Tax Treaty, and the level of support being provided to help Armenia support refugees from Syria, reported the Armenian National Committee of America.

In a U.S. House Financial Services Committee hearing Tuesday, Rep. Sherman cited the importance of a U.S.-Armenia Tax treaty to build upon ongoing U.S. assistance to Armenia, and pressed for the negotiation of such an accord. Responding to Secretary Lew’s assertion that there there is no need for a Double Tax Treaty with Armenia, Rep. Sherman described the situation as a “chicken and eggâ€