A bipartisan legislation, titled ARMENIA Security Partnership Act (H.R.6840), has been spearheaded in the US Congress by Congressional Armenian Caucus Co-Chairs Representatives Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) and Frank Pallone (D-NJ), reports the Armenian National Committee of America.

The purpose of the bill is to prohibit the US president from waiving Section 907 restrictions on US aid to Azerbaijan unless the Aliyev regime takes concrete steps toward a lasting peace with Armenia.

The ARMENIA Security Partnership Act – Advancing Readiness, Military Exchange, and National Integration with Armenia – would require the US Secretary of Defense to certify that Azerbaijan has upheld its commitments under the Joint Declaration, completely withdrawn all military forces from sovereign Armenian territory, unconditionally released all Armenian prisoners, ceased engaging in hostilities toward Armenia, and recognized a right of return for ethnic Armenians to their homes in Nagorno-Karabakh while committing to the preservation of Armenian cultural and religious sites.

If the Secretary of Defense cannot make this certification, the legislation would trigger an immediate review of US security assistance to Armenia to assess gaps in Armenia’s deterrence and self-defense capabilities, a comprehensive report on the scale and nature of threats facing Armenia and recommendations for strengthening Armenia’s long-term defense needs, and a prohibition on presidential waivers of Section 907 restrictions on US military aid to Azerbaijan. The mandated review would evaluate current US security cooperation programs with Armenia – including Foreign Military Financing and International Military Education and Training – and identify immediate steps the Department of Defense should take to enhance security assistance and address shortfalls in Armenia’s ability to deter aggression.

Joining Representatives Bilirakis and Pallone as original cosponsors of the legislation are fellow Congressional Armenian Caucus Co-Chairs Brad Sherman (D-CA) and David Valadao (R-CA), and Representatives Gabe Amo (D-RI), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), Dave Min (D-CA), Jan Schakowsky (D-IL), and Chris Smith (R-NJ), with additional bipartisan support expected in the coming days and weeks.

The bill is being introduced at a time when attempts are being made to restore US military aid to Azerbaijan, despite the complete de-Armenianization of Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) by Azerbaijan, the latter’s detention of Armenian prisoners, occupation of Armenia’s sovereign territory, and ongoing violations of international law, among other issues.