James Rogan: “the United States has a two-centuries old tradition as the standard bearer of freedom, democracy and the promotion of…”

“the United States has a two-centuries old tradition as the standard bearer of freedom, democracy and the promotion of human rights abroad. When the liberty of men and the expression of their ideals have been threatened, our Nation has waged political, economic and military battles against the oppression. We in Congress must be mindful of this obligation and continue to enforce the Freedom Support Act of 1992. For 9 years, the government of Azerbaijan has enforced a cruel and inhuman blockade of Armenia and Nagorno Karabagh. This embargo is still in effect today. As a result of the economic choke-hold, a bipartisan group of legislators included a provision to the Freedom Support Act known as section 907. This clause prohibits U.S. aid to Azerbaijan until its government takes steps to lift the blockade. Mr. Speaker, tomorrow the House will consider the Foreign Operations Appropriations bill. This measure includes language that will repeal section 907, thereby lifting U.S. sanctions against those who chose to block the free market expression and expansion of other nations. I urge my colleagues to reconsider striking this important provision. We in Congress have an obligation to the Constitution and to our own conscience. We must do our duty to promote the cause of democracy, while sending the message that human rights violations and actions that compromise the expansion of democracy simply will not be tolerated.”