Congressional Armenian Caucus

Last updated

Congressional
Armenian Caucus
Co-Chairs Gus Bilirakis (R)
Frank Pallone (D)
Jackie Speier (D)
David Valadao (R)
Vice-Chairs Adam Schiff (D)
Founded1995 (1995)
Political position Bipartisan

The Congressional Armenian Caucus (CAC) is an organization of over 100 members of the United States Congress. The Caucus is dedicated to keeping members of Congress engaged on Armenia-related issues as well as strengthening and maintaining the US-Armenia relationship. In particular, the Congressional Armenian Caucus aims to increase US aid to Armenia and Artsakh, recognise the Armenian genocide and to recognise the independence of Artsakh. [1] The CAC was founded in 1995. Although the majority of the members are from the Democratic Party, there are also members from the Republican party including Co-Chairs Gus Bilirakis and David Valadao. [2]

Contents

Co-Chairs

Vice-Chairs

Notable activities of the Congressional Armenian Caucus

During the 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh War, members of the Congressional Armenian Caucus urged the US to recognise the independence of Artsakh and to support its right to self determination. On 22 October 2020 Frank Pallone, joined by a bipartisan group of 34 Members of the House of Representatives, introduced a resolution supporting the Republic of Artsakh, recognizing its right to self-determination, and condemning Azerbaijan and Turkey for aggression. [9]

On 13 November 2020, the Congressional Armenian Caucus called on Biden to revise his Artsakh policy. The Congressional Armenian Caucus has called on President-Elect Joe Biden to lead U.S. re-engagement in negotiations for a lasting settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict through the OSCE Minsk Group and to stop military aid to Azerbaijan. [10]

On 18 November 2020, the Co-Chairs of the Armenian Caucus urged the U.S. administration to re-Engage in OSCE-Led Artsakh Peace Process (OSCE Minsk Group) [11]

On 19 February 2021, 100 U.S. Representatives called on the Biden administration to stand with Artsakh and Armenia in a bipartisan Congressional Armenian Caucus letter. [12]

On 5 March 2021, a resolution submitted by the Congressional Armenian Caucus called on Azerbaijan to immediately release all 200+ Armenian prisoners of war and captured civilians. This resolution was introduced by Adam Schiff, Gus Bilirakis, Jackie Speier, David Valadao and Frank Pallone. Additionally, it cites findings that Azerbaijani military forces have mistreated ethnic Armenian prisoners of war and subjected them to "physical abuse and humiliation," including beheadings, summary executions, and the desecration of human remains. [13] [14]

On 31 March 2021, the Congressional Armenian Caucus started collecting signatures on a letter calling for a robust Artsakh humanitarian assistance package for refugees, housing, food security, water and sanitation, healthcare, rehabilitation, and demining/UXO clearance. [15]

On 1 April 2021, the Congressional Armenian Caucus announced that they are calling for over $100 million in U.S. aid to Armenia and Artsakh following Turkey and Azerbaijan’s devastating attacks last year, as House Appropriations Subcommittee on Foreign Operations Chairwoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) and Ranking Member Hal Rogers (R-KY) begin crafting the FY2022 Foreign Aid Bill. [16] [17]

Notable members

List of members

Congressional Armenian Caucus in the 118th United States Congress Congressional Armenian Caucus in the 118th Congress.svg
Congressional Armenian Caucus in the 118th United States Congress

The following is the list of members in the Congressional Armenian Caucus as of April 2025 according to the Armenian National Committee of America: [18]

Arizona

California

Colorado

Connecticut

Florida

Illinois

Maine

Maryland

Massachusetts

Michigan

Minnesota

Nevada

New Hampshire

New Jersey

New York

Ohio

Oklahoma

Pennsylvania

Rhode Island

South Carolina

Texas

Virginia

Washington

Wisconsin

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Schiff, Bilirakis Introduce Bipartisan Resolution to Recognize Armenian Genocide" (Press release). Washington, DC: Congressman Adam Schiff. April 8, 2019.
  2. ↑ "Congressional Caucus on Armenian Issues". Armenian Assembly of America.
  3. ↑ "Rep. Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) - ANCA Report Card 116th Congress (2019-2020)". Armenian National Committee of America.
  4. ↑ "Rep. Frank Pallone (D-NJ) - ANCA Report Card 115th Congress (2017-2018)". Armenian National Committee of America.
  5. ↑ "Rep. Brad Sherman (D-CA) - ANCA Report Card 119th Congress (2019-2020)". Armenian National Committee of America.
  6. ↑ "Rep. David Valadao (R-CA) - ANCA Report Card 117th Congress (2021-2022)". Armenian National Committee of America.
  7. ↑ Ghazanchyan, Siranush (January 26, 2021). "Rep. David G. Valadao to co-chair the Congressional Armenian Caucus". Public Radio of Armenia .
  8. ↑ "Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA) - ANCA Report Card 116th Congress (2019-2020)". Armenian National Committee of America.
  9. ↑ "Pallone to Introduce Bipartisan Resolution Supporting Artsakh's Right to Self-Determination" (Press release). Washington, DC: Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. October 22, 2020.
  10. ↑ "Congressional Armenian Caucus calls on Biden to Revise Karabakh Policy". Asbarez . November 13, 2020.
  11. ↑ "Armenian Caucus Urges U.S. Administration to Re-Engage in OSCE-Led Artsakh Peace Process". Asbarez. November 18, 2020.
  12. ↑ "100 U.S. Representatives Call on Biden Administration to Stand with Artsakh and Armenia". Asbarez. February 19, 2021.
  13. ↑ Ghazanchyan, Siranush (March 5, 2021). "New resolution calls on Azerbaijan to immediately release all Armenian prisoners". Public Radio of Armenia.
  14. ↑ "Armenian Caucus Co-Chairs Introduce Resolution Urging Azerbaijan to Release All Prisoners of War and Captured Civilians" (Press release). Washington, DC: Congressman Adam Schiff. March 16, 2021.
  15. ↑ Ghazanchyan, Siranush (March 31, 2021). "Armenian Caucus collecting signatures on a letter calling for Artsakh humanitarian assistance package". Public Radio of Armenia.
  16. ↑ "Armenian Caucus Seeks Over $100 Million in U.S. Aid for Artsakh and Armenia". Asbarez. April 1, 2021.
  17. ↑ Ghazanchyan, Siranush (April 1, 2021). "Armenian Caucus seeks over $100 million in U.S. aid for Republic of Artsakh and Armenia". Public Radio of Armenia.
  18. ↑ "Congressional Armenian Caucus - 117th Congress". Armenian National Committee of America. Archived from the original on April 5, 2025. Retrieved April 30, 2025.
  19. ↑ Ghazanchyan, Siranush (August 26, 2020). "Rep. Ilhan Omar joins Congressional Armenian Caucus". Public Radio of Armenia.
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