Armenian National Committee of Greater Washington

: With a vote of 244-179, the U.S. House adopted an ANCA-backed amendment spearheaded by Congressional Armenian Caucus Co Chair Frank Pallone Jr., Congressman Chris Pappas (D-NH), and Congressman Congressman Gus Bilirakis, restricting the sale or transfer of F-16s or F-16 modernization kits to Turkey.

Rep. Pallone rallied Congressional support for the amendment during floor debate last night. "The sale of American advanced fighter jets to Turkey will not incentivize Erdogan to suddenly transform into a good ally. More likely these weapons will lead to further death and destruction in the region. For far too long the United States has allowed Erdogan to dictate his terms and hide behind Turkey’s status as a NATO ally. He has avoided facing real-life consequences greater than a slap on the wrist for his flagrant violations of international law at home and abroad and it's time we finally say enough is enough. This amendment will do just that and help take the leveraging power out of Erdogan's dangerous autocratic hands," argued Pallone.

Former Congressional Turkey Caucus Co-Chair Pete Sessions' arguments - calling Erdogan a "reliable ally," citing Committee jurisdictional issues, and questioning whether Turkey really violates Greek airspace - fell flat.

Joining Representatives Pappas, Bilirakis, and Pallone as co-sponsors of the bipartisan measure are Representatives David Cicilline (D-RI), Anna Eshoo (D-CA), Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ), Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL), James Langevin (D-RI), Andy Levin (D-MI), Ted Lieu (D-CA), Zoe Lofgren (D-CA), Nicole Malliotakis (R-NY), Carolyn Maloney (D-NY), Grace Meng (D-NY), John Sarbanes (D-MD), Brad Schneider (D-IL), Brad Sherman (D-CA), Jackie Speier (D-CA), Dina Titus (D-NV).

BREAKING: U.S. House adopts ANCA-backed amendment spearheaded by Representatives U.S. Rep. Tony Cárdenas (D-CA) and Congressman Brad Sherman (D-CA), calling for a report by the State Department and Defense Department that would detail the use of U.S. parts in Turkish drones used by Azerbaijan against Armenia and Artsakh; Azerbaijan’s use of white phosphorous, cluster bombs and other prohibited munitions deployed against Artsakh; Turkey’s and Azerbaijan’s recruitment of foreign terrorist fighters during the 2020 Artsakh war. The amendment ( #121) was adopted as part of "en bloc 1" - a larger grouping of amendments to the Fiscal Year 2023 National Defense Authorization Act (H.R.7900)

Joining Representatives Cardenas and Sherman as Congressional cosponsors of the bipartisan amendment include Representatives Gus Bilirakis (R-FL), Judy Chu (D-CA), David Cicilline (D-RI), Anna Eshoo (D-CA), Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL), James Langevin (D-RI), Brenda Lawrence (D-MI), Andy Levin (D-MI), Ted Lieu (D-CA), Zoe Lofgren (D-CA), Frank Pallone (D-NJ), Linda Sanchez (D-CA), Adam Schiff (D-CA), Elissa Slotkin (D-MI), Jackie Speier (D-CA), Dina Titus (D-NV), Rashida Tlaib (D-MI), and David Valadao (R-CA).

PLEASE REMEMBER to mark your calendar for tomorrow, Saturday May 21st 9AM-4PM, to go cast a vote for my grandson Caleb Max. Every last vote is crucial in a firehouse primary. I would be grateful for your support of him. Please visit his website www.maxforVirginia.com for SPECIAL locations. I appreciate all your support of me over the years.

Caleb Max - grandson of longtime Armenian American Congressional ally Frank Wolf - is running for the Virginia (District 10) seat held by Rep. Wexton (D- ANCA grade).

May 21st primary locations:
https://www.maxforvirginia.com

Caleb Max for Congress
Frank Wolf

God bless the AYF!