Frank Pallone: “I thank Chairman Smith and his team for including several important amendments to this year's National Defense…”

“I thank Chairman Smith and his team for including several important amendments to this year's National Defense Authorization Act, and that includes my amendment that requires a report from the Department of Defense addressing instances where U.S. security assistance is given to foreign military units known to have committed gross human rights violations. This amendment specifically focuses on the section 333 Building Partner Capacity Program, which has sent enormous sums of American taxpayer dollars to authoritarian and human rights-abusing regimes. A prime example of the program's problematic nature is the $100 million given to Azerbaijani President Aliyev's regime in fiscal years 2018 and 2019. As Azerbaijan was still receiving equipment and training from the U.S. military, they began a deadly attack against Nagorno- Karabakh, or Artsakh, on September 27, that led to the death of thousands and the displacement of so many more. Passage of this amendment sends a clear signal that the United States takes seriously its democratic norms and commitment to peace by ensuring oversight of our security assistance. I hope it leads to future restraint from aiding and tolerating similar regimes in the future, especially when their actions are aimed at destabilizing a fellow democracy.”