- December 19, 2025
Bill Would Strengthen U.S.-Armenia Defense Ties and Revoke Section 907 Sanctions Waivers
Washington, D.C. — Global ARM applauds Congressman Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) for introducing legislation that would require the Pentagon to recommend ways to strengthen U.S. security assistance to Armenia if Azerbaijan continues hostilities toward Armenia.
The bill, titled the Advancing Readiness, Military Exchange, and National Integration with Armenia (ARMENIA) Security Partnership Act, directs the Secretary of Defense, in coordination with other national security agencies, to annually certify to Congress that Azerbaijan has taken meaningful steps to resolve hostilities against Armenia. If such certification cannot be made, the Secretary must submit a report—coordinated with U.S. European Command (EUCOM)—assessing threats to Armenia, identifying gaps in its defense needs, and recommending ways to expand U.S.-Armenia security cooperation.
The bill is similar to the Global ARM-backed amendment Congressman Bilirakis filed with the House Rules Committee for its consideration of the Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26) National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) in September.
“We thank Congressman Bilirakis for introducing this important, bipartisan legislation,” said Timothy Jemal, President of Global ARM. “Azerbaijan’s continued aggression toward Armenia and failure to fully honor the August 8 Joint Declaration undermine prospects for a just and durable peace. This bill holds Azerbaijan accountable while advancing U.S.- Armenia security cooperation.”
The ARMENIA Security Partnership Act is co-sponsored by Armenian Caucus Co-Chair Frank Pallone (D-NJ) and Armenian Caucus members Chris Smith (R-NJ), David Valadao (R-CA), Dave Min (D-CA), Brad Sherman (D-CA), Gabe Amo (D-RI), and Jan Schakowsky (D-IL).
Specifically, the bill directs the Secretary of Defense to certify to Congress that Azerbaijan has taken meaningful steps to:
- Uphold commitments under the August 8 Joint Declaration.
- Completely withdraw all military forces from Armenia’s sovereign territory.
- Unconditionally release all Armenian prisoners.
- Cease hostilities against Armenia.
- Recognize a right of return for ethnic Armenians to their homes and commit to preserving Armenian cultural and religious sites in Nagorno-Karabakh.
If these conditions are not met, the Secretary of Defense would be required to conduct an immediate review of U.S. security assistance for Armenia, assessing its deterrence and self-defense capabilities. The resulting report to Congress is required to include:
- An assessment of the scale and nature of threats facing Armenia
- An evaluation of historical and current trends in U.S. security assistance for Armenia in key accounts.
- Identification of gaps in Armenia’s short- and long-term defense needs, including defense articles, services, and military training.
- A summary of immediate steps the Pentagon is taking to increase security cooperation with Armenia.
- Recommendations for further increasing security assistance for Armenia to strengthen Armenia’s self-defense capabilities and deter aggression.
Further, if a certification cannot be made, the President is prohibited from waiving sanctions against Azerbaijan under Section 907 of the Freedom Support Act.
“Despite signing the August 8 Joint Declaration at the White House, Ilham Aliyev continues to defy commitments under the trilateral agreement by referring to Southern Armenia as ‘western Azerbaijan’ and refusing to use the proper name for the Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity (TRIPP), instead using the provocative term ‘zangezur corridor,’” Jemal continued. “Additionally, Azerbaijan continues to occupy 200 square kilometers of sovereign Armenia, illegally detain 23 Armenian political prisoners, and destroy sacred Armenian holy sites in Nagorno-Karabakh.”
“There is nothing Aliyev fears more than losing Azerbaijan’s military advantage,” Jemal added. “The path forward for Azerbaijan is clear: withdraw occupying forces, release all prisoners, enable the return of Armenians to Nagorno-Karabakh, protect cultural heritage, and fulfill commitments to the United States.”
Global ARM will continue to work to build bipartisan support for the ARMENIA Security Partnership Act and advocate for its swift consideration and passage by the House Foreign Affairs Committee and the full House of Representatives.
About Global ARM
Global ARM is a U.S.-based nonprofit organization formed in 2022 to implement smarter, stronger, and more effective Pro-Armenia, Pro-Artsakh advocacy in Washington, D.C. Global ARM is non-partisan and not aligned with any political party or government inside or outside of Armenia.
Contact: kerr@plurusstrategies.com.