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Washington, D.C. - The Frank Pallone, Jr. Amendment, which prohibits Foreign Military Financing (FMF) and International Military Education and Training (IMET) to Azerbaijan, was adopted by voice vote on Wednesday, July 28, 2021. The bipartisan Amendment was spearheaded by Congressional Caucus on Armenian Issues Co-Chair Rep. Frank Pallone Jr. (D-NJ), who spoke on the House Floor and stated that the bill "sends a clear signal that we will not aid or tolerate authoritarian regimes that threaten peace and security, especially when those actions are aimed at a fellow democracy."
Pallone also praised the $50 million in assistance earmarked for Armenia that will bolster economic, governance and rule of law reforms, as well as an additional $2 million for demining in Artsakh.
"This unprecedented commitment in funding will go a long way in helping continue economic, governance and rule of law reforms which further strengthen America's strategic partnership with this young democracy," said Pallone.
In addition to Rep. Pallone, other supporters of the Amendment include:
Gus Bilirakis (R-FL), Jackie Speier (D-CA), David Valadao (R-CA), Adam Schiff (D-CA), Tony Cárdenas (D-CA), David Cicilline (D-RI), Judy Chu (D-CA), Jim Costa (D-CA), Anna Eshoo (D-CA), Jared Huffman (D-CA), Sheila Jackson Lee (D-TX), Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL), Jim Langevin (D-RI), Andy Levin (D-MI), Zoe Lofgren (D-CA), Devin Nunes (R-CA), Linda Sánchez (D-CA), Brad Sherman (D-CA), and Dina Titus (D-NV).
"The Assembly commends Congressman Pallone's bipartisan amendment prohibiting military financing and training to Azerbaijan," said Assembly Congressional Relations Director Mariam Khaloyan. "This amendment sends the right message that Azerbaijan will not be rewarded for its hostile actions against the Armenian people."
Established in 1972, the Armenian Assembly of America is the largest Washington-based nationwide organization promoting public understanding and awareness of Armenian issues. The Assembly is a non-partisan, 501(c)(3) tax-exempt membership organization.
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NR# 2021-73