OFFICIALS LEGISLATION INTEREST GROUPS PUBLIC STATEMENTS COMMITTEES VETOES

Armenian Protection Act of 2023

Floor Speech

Date: Nov. 15, 2023
Location: Washington, DC

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Mr. PETERS. Mr. President, shortly, I will ask unanimous consent for passage of the Armenian Protection Act of 2023.

Section 907 of the Freedom Support Act of 1992 was straightforward. It kept Azerbaijan from receiving military assistance from the United States. In the wake of 9/11, we granted the President the authority to waive the statute and in order to protect American interests, and as a result, we began sending military aid to Azerbaijan.

But we attached a very important condition: The Azerbaijani Government could not engage in offensive attacks or undermine the peace process with Armenia. Their recent actions in Nagorno-Karabakh have clearly failed in meeting this very straightforward standard. Not only did they blockade the Lachin corridor for 10 months, creating significant hardships, they also violently attacked innocent Armenians and forced the dissolution of the Government of Nagorno-Karabakh on September 28.

The Armenian Protection Act of 2023 is simple: It would hold Azerbaijan accountable for these actions. As a result of Azerbaijan's failure to meet the terms of our agreement with them, it would prevent the United States from sending military aid for a period of 2 years. After that time, the President could once again decide what best serves the American interests in that region. The administration already has the authority to cut off the support, but as this conflict has unfolded, they have not taken public action.

We must send a strong message to show our partners around the world that America will enforce the conditions that we attach to military aid. If we do not take action when countries willfully ignore the terms of our agreements with them, our agreements will become effectively meaningless and toothless.

I urge my colleagues to join me in holding Azerbaijan accountable for their actions, enforce our agreements with them, and stand with the Armenian people in the face of unprovoked aggression.

I urge my colleagues to support the Armenian Protection Act of 2023.

3000 and the Senate proceed to its immediate consideration.
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Mr. PETERS. I ask that the bill, as amended, be considered read a third time.

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Mr. PETERS. I know of no further debate on the bill, as amended.
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