InternationalThe $28 million question
Published: Thursday October 29, 2009
House and Senate negotiators will soon decide whether to go with the House and allocate $48 million in aid to Armenia and $10 million in aid to Karabakh, go with the Senate and the administration and allocate $30 million to Armenia and nothing to Karabakh, or choose a middle course. As constituents we have a role to play in deciding the outcome, which is important for Armenia and the U.S.-Armenia relationship.
An October 26 letter circulated by Armenian Caucus co-chair Rep. Frank Pallone (D.-N.J.) and caucus member Rep. Frank LoBiondo (R.-N.J.) and signed by 29 members of the House of Representatives calls on the chairs and ranking members of the Senate and House foreign aid panels to agree to the House version.
Congress last year allocated $48 million in assistance to Armenia, $8 million to Karabakh, and $3.45 million in military aid to Armenia. The Obama administration asked for only $30 million in assistance to Armenia and nothing for Karabakh. It also proposed to break military aid parity between Armenia and Azerbaijan, giving $3.5 million to Armenia and $4.9 million to Azerbaijan in military aid.
The House of Representatives voted to maintain the fiscal 2009 level of aid to Armenia, allocate $10 million to Karabakh, and maintain military aid parity at $3.5 million each to Armenia and Azerbaijan. But the Senate foreign-aid panel endorsed the administration's proposed cut in aid to Armenia and Karabakh and increase in military aid to Azerbaijan.
Mr. Obama had promised, during his presidential election campaign, to maintain Armenia aid levels. In response to criticism about his decision to ask for $28 million less for Armenia and Karabakh than was allocated for 2009, Ambassador Marie Yovanovitch repeatedly said that Congress was sure to adjust the number upward. But since the Senate foreign aid panel did not adjust the number upward, the decision is now in the hands of the House and Senate negotiators.
In reconciling the two versions, House and Senate negotiators are sure to take into account what they hear from constituents as well as colleagues. Their House colleagues took the step of writing to them this week. For that we must thank them.
Moreover, it is up to us to call on the negotiators to agree to the House version of the bill insofar as it relates to Armenian-American concerns.
Specifically, we seek to maintain at least the current levels of aid to Armenia and $10 million in humanitarian aid to Karabakh. Moreover, we oppose any military aid to Azerbaijan, which is preparing for war over Karabakh. At the very least, parity of military aid to Azerbaijan and Armenia should be maintained, as it is in the House version of the bill. In addition, the House version reinforces Section 907, which restricts military aid to Azerbaijan, requiring the president to consult with Congress if he chooses to waive the provisions of Section 907.
Our calls and letters can make all the difference. But only if we each make the effort. We urge you to call or write your senator today.
Leaders of the House and Senate subcommittees on foreign operations
Sen. Patrick Leahy (Vt.), Chair
1-202-224-4242
leahy.senate.gov
Sen. Judd Gregg (N.H.), Ranking Member
1-202-224-3324
gregg.senate.gov
Rep. Nita Lowey (N.Y.), Chair
1-202-225-6506
lowey.house.gov
Rep. Kay Granger (Tex.), Ranking Member
1-202-225-5071
kaygranger.house.gov
The list of representatives who signed the October 26 letter appears below. To call and thanks them, dial 1-202-225-3121 for the House switchboard.
Rep. Frank Pallone, Jr. (D.-N.J.)
Rep. Frank LoBiondo (R.-N.J.)
Rep. Bruce Braley (D.-Iowa)
Rep. Dennis Cardoza (D.-Calif.)
Rep. Jim Costa (D.-Calif.)
Rep. Jerry Costello (D.-Ill.)
Rep. Anna Eshoo (D.-Calif.)
Rep. Chaka Fattah (D.-Pa.)
Rep. Barney Frank (D.-Mass.)
Rep. Elton Gallegly (R.-Calif.)
Rep. Scott Garrett (R.-N.J.)
Rep. Rush Holt (D.-N.J.)
Rep. James Langevin (D.-R.I.)
Rep. Daniel Lipinski (D.-Ill.)
Rep. Stephen Lynch (D.-Mass.)
Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D.-N.Y.)
Rep. Edward Markey (D.-Mass.)
Rep. James McGovern (D.-Mass.)
Rep. Candice Miller (R.-Mich.)
Rep. Grace Napolitano (D.-Calif.)
Rep. Gary Peters (D.-Mich.)
Rep. Collin Peterson (D.-Minn.)
Rep. John Sarbanes (D.-Md.)
Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D.-Ill.)
Rep. Brad Sherman (D.-Calif.)
Rep. Mark Souder (R.-Ind.)
Rep. Jackie Speier (D.-Calif.)
Rep. Tim Walz (D.-Minn.)
Rep. Henry Waxman (D.-Calif.)
Rep. Anthony Weiner (D.-N.Y.)
Rep. Frank Wolf (R.-Va.)
