US HOUSE VOTES DOWN PRO-TURKEY TRADE BILL
ARMENPRESS
24 July, 2012
YEREVAN
YEREVAN, JULY 24, ARMENPRESS: The House of Representatives defeated,
on a bipartisan basis, an ill-conceived measure that singled out
Turkey for preferential treatment to engage in economic development
projects on tribal lands in the United States, reports Armenpress
citing the Armenian Assembly of America. The measure did not receive
the two-thirds majority required and failed by a vote of 222 in favor
to 160 against.
Representatives Doc Hastings (R-WA), Tom Cole (R-OK), Virginia Foxx
(R-NC), James Moran (D-VA), Dan Boren (D-OK) along with Delegate Eni
Faleomavaega (D-AS) spoke in favor of the Bill, H.R. 2362, the Indian
Tribal Trade and Investment Demonstration Project Act of 2011, while
Representatives Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ), Carolyn Maloney (D-NY)
and John Sarbanes (D-MD) led the charge against the legislation.
During the debate, Bill Sponsor Cole noted that he was approached by
the Turkish Coalition of America about the legislation. According
to campaign contribution records, Representative Cole has received
$6,000 in Turkish PAC money this cycle while Representative Foxx
received $10,000. Representative Cole argued that H.R. 2362 does not
grant Turkey preferential treatment.
Armenian Caucus Co-Chair Pallone, who indicated his support for
“efforts to bring economic prosperity to Indian Country,” voiced
his strong opposition to the Bill: “To put it quite simply, there is
no good reason for passage of this legislation. In fact, there are a
whole host of reasons why this legislation should fail today.” Citing a
litany of concerns, including Turkey’s denial of the Armenian Genocide
and “illegal occupation of Northern Cyprus,” Representative Pallone
urged his colleagues to vote against it.
Hellenic Caucus Co-Chair Maloney called the Bill unnecessary given
that Congress has already adopted a more comprehensive measure, the
HEARTH Act (H.R. 205). Further Representative Maloney recognized the
opposition of the Ranking Members of the House Natural Resources and
Foreign Affairs Committees, Representatives Edward Markey (D-MA) and
Howard Berman (D-CA), respectively, and also raised concerns about
Turkey’s human rights record and restrictions on religious freedom.
Representative John Sarbanes closed the debate for opponents of
the Bill stating he did not believe that providing preferential
treatment to one country, Turkey, can be “justified.” Echoing the
sentiments of Representatives Pallone and Maloney, Sarbanes raised
concerns about Turkey’s increasingly hostile actions to U.S. allies,
including Israel, Cyprus and Armenia and called for a recorded
vote. Sarbanes also cited that two years ago, while serving as a
member of the United Nations Security Council, Turkey voted against
sanctions on Iran to thwart its nuclear weapons program. In addition
to speaking on the House floor, Representative Sarbanes spearheaded
a Dear Colleague along with Representative Gus Bilirakis (R-FL)
as did Representatives Berman, Gary Ackerman (D-NY), Eliot Engel
(D-NY), and Shelley Berkley (D-NV); Representative Edward Markey;
Representative Pallone; Representatives Sarbanes; Maloney, Pallone,
and Nikki Tsongas (D-MA); and Representative Brad Sherman (D-CA).
“We commend our friends and supporters, especially Representatives
Markey, Pallone, Sarbanes and Maloney for leading the charge against
this Bill,” stated Assembly Executive Director Bryan Ardouny. “We also
appreciate the strong support of Representatives Ackerman, Berman,
Berkley, Engel, Sherman and Tsongas. Today’s vote upholds our cherished
values and reaffirms America’s commitment to human rights.”
Established in 1972, the Armenian Assembly of America is the
largest Washington-based nationwide organization promoting public
understanding and awareness of Armenian issues. The Assembly is a
501(c)(3) tax-exempt membership organization.