Key U.S. House Appropriations Panel proposes $60 million for Armenia, needs assessment for Artsakh

YEREVAN, June 29, /ARKA/. The U.S. House Appropriations Subcommittee on Foreign Operations has called for $60 million in U.S. aid to Armenia, $2 million for Artsakh (Nagorno Karabakh) demining, and a special report by the State Department and US Agency for International Development to identify humanitarian needs in the aftermath of the 2020 Artsakh war as part of the Fiscal Year 2023 foreign aid bill, reported the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA).

“The ANCA would like to thank Chairwoman Barbara Lee for her leadership in increasing aid to Armenia, maintaining Artsakh demining assistance, and – notably – for calling for a long-overdue needs assessment following Turkey and Azerbaijan’s attacks on Artsakh and Armenia in 2020,” stated ANCA Executive Director Aram Hamparian.  

“As the House and Senate continue marking up the FY2023 foreign aid measure, we look forward to working with key legislators to expand aid to Artsakh in the face of ongoing Azerbaijani aggression.”

The ANCA is continuing its nationwide campaign to secure $50 million in U.S. aid to Artsakh / $100 million for Armenia through its online portal.

In the report accompanying the proposed FY2023 foreign aid bill, House appropriators urged the $60 million in funds for Armenia to support “economic development, private sector productivity, energy independence, democracy and the rule of law, and other purposes.”  

With regard to Artsakh, the report notes, “the Committee remains concerned about the humanitarian impact of the conflict in the Nagorno-Karabakh and resulting challenges in the areas of housing, food security, water and sanitation, health care, and other human needs.”  

The full House Appropriations Committee is expected to adopt the proposed FY2023 foreign aid bill this week. The U.S. Senate is set to take up foreign aid bill in the upcoming month. -0-