ArmInfo.The U.S. House Rules Committee cleared the path for full House consideration of an ANCA-backed amendment led by Representatives Tony Cardenas (D-CA), Adam Schiff (D-CA), and Brad Sherman (D-CA)calling for Azerbaijan's immediate release of Armenian prisoners of war and requiring an investigation into the use of U.S. technology in drones used by Turkey and Azerbaijan to target civilians during their 2020 attacks against Artsakh. The press service of the Armenian National Committee of America informs. The Rules Committee also voted to allow full House votes on pro-Artsakh/Armenia amendments led by Representatives Frank Pallone (D-NJ), David Valadao (R-CA), Dina Titus (D-NV), and Jim McGovern (D-MA). The amendments will be voted on during House consideration of the FY2022 National Defense Authorization Act (H.R.4350), which may begin as early as Tuesday evening, September 21st. Pro- Artsakh/Armenia advocates can write, call, and tweet their U.S. Representatives to vote for the amendment by visiting anca.org/ndaa. "We thank Chairman McGovern and his colleagues in the House leadership and on both the Armed Services and the Rules Committees for providing each member of the U.S. House of Representatives with the opportunity to cast up-or- down votes on amendments demanding the immediate release of Armenian POWs, requiring an investigation of Azerbaijani war crimes, a report on U.S. aid to Artsakh, banning the Grey Wolves, and other ANCA-backed amendments to the National Defense Authorization Act," said ANCA Executive Director Aram Hamparian. "We encourage our community activists and coalition partners - in the hours leading up to these House floor votes - to continue weighing in with their legislators, via calls, emails, and tweets."
At the same time, it is emphasized that the aforementioned legislative changes are currently being discussed in the US House of Representatives. In conclusion, it is emphasized that the Armenian National Committee of America continues to work to achieve full satisfaction of their political priorities. To note, the exact number of Armenian prisoners of war and civilians held in Azerbaijan after the signing of the trilateral statement of November 9, 2020 is still not known. According to official figures, there are about 200-250 people. Meanwhile, experts tend to believe that there are many more. The Azerbaijani authorities, in violation of their obligations, under various pretexts, continue to keep the Armenian prisoners of war, using it as a tool to receive political dividends.