Frank Pallone: “I thank Chairman Smith for yielding. I would like to speak on the Jackie Speier amendment No. 337, part of en bloc No.…”

“I thank Chairman Smith for yielding. I would like to speak on the Jackie Speier amendment No. 337, part of en bloc No. 3, which directs the Secretary of Defense in coordination with the Secretary of State to document details of the consideration of the waiver requirements to section 907 of the FREEDOM Support Act and report on whether security assistance to the Government of Azerbaijan undermines a peaceful settlement to the conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan. Let me just say that those of us in the Armenian Caucus have been very concerned over the years about the constant waiver of requirements under section 907 of the FREEDOM Support Act because the bottom line is that Azerbaijan has continued its aggression against Armenia and started a war against Armenia over Nagorno-Karabakh a couple of years ago. We don't believe there is any justification for waiving this because of the constant threat that Azerbaijan opposes not only to Nagorno- Karabakh but also to Armenia itself, which has continued ever since that war. The bottom line is we would like to see some action, if you will, to show whether this security assistance to Azerbaijan should continue with these constant waivers. It is really a simple request, and I would ask our Members on both sides of the aisle to support this as part of the en bloc No. 3.”