U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee calls for release of Armenian prisoners in Azerbaijan

The U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee has adopted amendments to the Fiscal Year 2026 State Department Authorization Bill (H.R.5300), directing the State Department to secure the release of Armenian prisoners of war, safeguard Armenian religious and cultural heritage, and support the right of return for the forcibly displaced Armenians of Nagorno-Karabakh, the ANCA reported.

The amendments were backed by ANCA.

Rep. Gabe Amo (D-RI), whose amendment passed with bipartisan support in an en bloc package, highlighted the urgent issues left unaddressed by peace agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan. “Armenian religious and historic sites continue to be destroyed. Armenian prisoners of war are still held in Azerbaijan. And more than 120,000 Armenian refugees still cannot safely return to their homes in Nagorno-Karabakh,” stated Rep. Amo during debate. He added, “My amendment would ensure that we continue to march down the road of peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan by directing the Secretary of State to advocate for the protection of Armenian heritage and religious sites, the release of the Armenian prisoners of war, [and] the safe return of Armenian refugees to their homes in Nagorno-Karabakh.”

The Committee also debated two amendments offered by Congressional Armenian Caucus Co-Chair Rep. Brad Sherman (D-CA). His first proposal, Amendment #97, would have repealed the presidential waiver authority of Section 907 of the FREEDOM Support Act, restoring Congress’s prohibition on U.S. military aid to Azerbaijan. Rep. Sherman’s second amendment would have prohibited the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation from funding projects in Turkey until it lifts its blockade of Armenia, and in Azerbaijan until all Armenian prisoners are released. These two motions did not pass.