User:EmmaCoop/sandbox/United States recognition of the Armenian Genocide
As of December 12, 2019, the United States recognizes the Armenian Genocide through two congressional resolutions passed by both houses of the United States Congress. The House of Representatives passed a resolution with broad support on October 29, 2019, and the Senate did the same by unanimous consent on December 12, 2019, making the recognition of the Armenian Genocide part of the policy of the United States. Before 2019, there were numerous proposed resolutions in Congress to recognize the Armenian Genocide, all failing to receive enough support.
Background
[edit]History
[edit]Early attempts
[edit]On October 10, 2007, the United States House Committee on Foreign Affairs approved a resolution that would have recognized the Armenian Genocide by a vote of 27–21. The resolution did not receive support from President George W. Bush, who said that the resolution's "passage would do great harm to our relations with a key ally in NATO and in the global war on terror."[1] Despite presidential opposition, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said that the resolution would receive a full House vote.[2] In the days that followed, the Turkish government and lobbyists on their behalf, such as Dick Gephardt and Bob Livingston, successfully worked to get several of the resolution's co-sponsors to withdraw their support.[3] However, on October 25, the bill's supporters withdrew the bill.[4]
Congressional recognition (2019–present)
[edit]On April 8, 2019, Representatives Adam Schiff and Gus Bilirakis introduced a resolution in the House of Representatives alongside other Democratic and Republican representatives that would make it the policy of the United States to recognize the Armenian Genocide, reject its denial, and educate the public on the genocide.[5] The next day, Senators Bob Menendez and Ted Cruz introduced a similar resolution in the Senate with 14 other co-sponsors, including Democratic leader Chuck Schumer.[6] On October 29, 2019, the House of Representatives voted 405–11 to recognize the Armenian Genocide.[7] A few months later, on December 12, the Senate passed a similar resolution by unanimous consent.[8] Despite congressional recognition, the Donald Trump administration rejected the resolutions, with U.S. State Department spokesperson Morgan Ortagus saying, "The position of the administration has not changed."[9]
| Party | Votes for | Votes against | Present | Not voting | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic (234) | 226 | – | |||
| Republican (197) | 178 | ||||
| Independent (1) | – | – | – | ||
| Total (432) | 405 | 11 | 3 | 13 | |
References
[edit]- ^ Zakaria, Tabassum; Cornwell, Susan (October 10, 2007). "House panel OKs Armenian genocide resolution". Washington, D.C.: Reuters. Archived from the original on February 23, 2017. Retrieved April 23, 2021.
- ^ Robinson, Dan (October 11, 2007). "US House Speaker: Armenian Genocide Measure Will Go Forward". VOA News. Archived from the original on October 12, 2007. Retrieved April 23, 2021.
- ^ Simon, Richard (October 17, 2021). "Genocide resolution's support starts to fade". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on March 7, 2021. Retrieved April 23, 2021.
- ^ Hulse, Carl (October 25, 2007). "U.S. and Turkey Thwart Armenian Genocide Bill". Washington, D.C.: The New York Times. Archived from the original on March 8, 2021. Retrieved April 23, 2021.
- ^ "Schiff, Bilirakis Introduce Armenian Genocide Resolution". Asbarez. April 8, 2019. Archived from the original on January 17, 2021. Retrieved March 5, 2021.
- ^ "Menendez, Cruz Introduce U.S. Senate Armenian Genocide Resolution". Asbarez. April 9, 2019. Archived from the original on October 30, 2020. Retrieved March 5, 2021.
- ^ a b "Roll Call 591". Clerk of the United States House of Representatives. October 29, 2019. Retrieved March 5, 2021.
- ^ Foran, Clare; Mattingly, Phil (December 12, 2019). "Senate passes resolution to formally 'commemorate the Armenian Genocide'". CNN. Archived from the original on April 23, 2021. Retrieved April 23, 2021.
- ^ "Trump administration rejects Congress vote on Armenia 'genocide'". BBC News. December 17, 2019. Archived from the original on April 15, 2021. Retrieved April 23, 2021.