National Journal’s CongressDaily
October 26, 2007 Friday 10:30 am Eastern Time
Armenia Resolution Tabled Indefinitely
The co-sponsors of a controversial House resolution to recognize the
Armenian genocide at the hands of the Ottoman Empire during World War
I have asked Speaker Pelosi to delay action on the measure.
In a letter to Pelosi Thursday, Reps.
Adam Schiff, D-Calif., Brad Sherman, D-Calif., Anna Eshoo, D-Calif.,
and Frank Pallone, D-N.J., said they believe a large majority of the
House will ultimately support the bill under more favorable timing.
Support has waned amid concerns that it would harm U.S.-Turkish
relations and has been strongly opposed by the Bush administration
and most of the House GOP leadership. Overall, support for the
resolution has split both sides of the aisle.
When asked about the request, Pelosi, who was highly vocal in recent
weeks about voting on the resolution by the end of the year but later
backtracked, told CongressDaily she would honor the sponsors’ wishes.
"I accept the request and will take it up with leadership," said
Pelosi.
According to a Democratic aide with knowledge of the situation, the
move means the bill will not be taken up until next year at the
earliest.