ARMENIA Security Partnership Act

Bill Number

H.R. 6840

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 1

Policy Area

International Affairs

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2025-12-18: Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.

Last Updated

2026-06-11T08:06:45Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose

The ARMENIA Security Partnership Act (H.R. 6840) aims to promote regional stability by requiring the U.S. Secretary of Defense to certify that Azerbaijan has made meaningful progress on commitments related to Armenia and the Nagorno-Karabakh region. If certification is not possible, the act mandates reviews and enhancements to U.S. security assistance for Armenia to bolster its defense capabilities against potential aggression.

Key Provisions

• Certification Requirement: Within 180 days of enactment and annually thereafter, the Secretary of Defense must certify to congressional defense committees (Armed Services and Appropriations Committees in the Senate and House) that Azerbaijan has taken meaningful steps to:
• Uphold commitments under the Joint Declaration (a diplomatic agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan).
• Fully withdraw military forces from Armenia's sovereign territory.
• Unconditionally release all Armenian prisoners.
• Cease hostilities toward Armenia.
• Recognize the right of ethnic Armenians to return to their homes in Nagorno-Karabakh and commit to preserving Armenian cultural and religious sites there.
• Security Assistance Review: If certification cannot be made, the Secretary must conduct an immediate review (within 14 days) of U.S. security assistance to Armenia, focusing on gaps in its deterrence and self-defense capabilities. This involves coordination with the U.S. European Command and other national security agencies.
• Reporting Obligation: Following the review, the Secretary must submit a report to congressional defense committees covering:
• Assessment of threats to Armenia.
• Evaluation of historical and current U.S. security aid to Armenia, including programs like International Security Cooperation, Foreign Military Financing, and International Military Education and Training.
• Identification of gaps in Armenia's defense needs, such as equipment, services, and training.
• Summary of immediate Department of Defense actions to increase security cooperation with Armenia.
• Recommendations for expanding U.S. assistance to address Armenia's self-defense shortfalls.
• Waiver Restriction: If certification fails, the President is prohibited (after 14 days) from using waiver authority under the FREEDOM Support Act (part of a 2002 appropriations law that allows flexibility in aid to former Soviet states) for assistance related to independent states of the former Soviet Union.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• Introduces a new certification process tied to Azerbaijan's actions, which did not previously exist in U.S. law regarding this specific regional conflict.
• Restricts the President's waiver authority under the FREEDOM Support Act (22 U.S.C. 5812 note), limiting executive flexibility in foreign aid decisions for the region unless Azerbaijan meets the specified conditions. This shifts some control toward congressional oversight.

Potential Impacts

• On Government Agencies: The Department of Defense and other national security entities will face increased administrative burdens, including regular certifications, reviews, and detailed reports, potentially requiring additional resources for monitoring and analysis.
• On Citizens: Ethnic Armenians, particularly those displaced from Nagorno-Karabakh, may benefit indirectly through enhanced U.S. support for Armenia's security, improving regional stability and prospects for return and cultural preservation. Armenian citizens could see strengthened national defense against threats.
• On International Relations: Strengthens U.S.-Armenia security ties, potentially deterring aggression from Azerbaijan and signaling U.S. commitment to human rights and territorial integrity in the South Caucasus. It may strain U.S.-Azerbaijan relations by conditioning aid and cooperation on compliance, influencing broader diplomacy in the former Soviet space.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• U.S. Government: Department of Defense, President, and congressional defense committees, which gain oversight roles in foreign security policy.
• Government of Armenia: Primary beneficiary, receiving potential increases in U.S. military aid, training, and equipment to enhance self-defense.
• Government of Azerbaijan: Directly pressured to meet certification criteria, facing possible reductions in U.S. engagement or aid waivers.
• Ethnic Armenians in Nagorno-Karabakh: Affected through provisions on right of return, prisoner release, and site preservation, impacting displacement and cultural heritage.
• Regional Actors: Broader implications for Russia, Turkey, and other powers involved in South Caucasus dynamics, as U.S. policy shifts could alter alliances.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Legal: Establishes enforceable conditions on foreign aid waivers, potentially leading to legal challenges if executive actions conflict with the certification process; reinforces congressional authority over appropriations and foreign policy tools.
• Constitutional: Highlights the balance of powers, with Congress asserting influence over executive foreign aid decisions, consistent with its role in controlling the "power of the purse" under Article I of the U.S. Constitution.
• Political: Could escalate U.S. involvement in the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict, promoting accountability for human rights and territorial issues but risking accusations of bias in a sensitive geopolitical area; may influence bipartisan support for Armenian-American communities while complicating energy and security ties with Azerbaijan.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Rep. Bilirakis, Gus M. [R-FL-12]

Cosponsors (30)

Rep. Pallone, Frank [D-NJ-6], Rep. Valadao, David G. [R-CA-22], Rep. Sherman, Brad [D-CA-32], Rep. Smith, Christopher H. [R-NJ-4], Rep. Min, Dave [D-CA-47], Rep. Fitzpatrick, Brian K. [R-PA-1], Rep. Schakowsky, Janice D. [D-IL-9], Rep. Amo, Gabe [D-RI-1], Rep. Mullin, Kevin [D-CA-15], Rep. Latimer, George [D-NY-16], Rep. Costa, Jim [D-CA-21], Rep. Friedman, Laura [D-CA-30], Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large], Rep. Auchincloss, Jake [D-MA-4], Rep. Magaziner, Seth [D-RI-2], Rep. Titus, Dina [D-NV-1], Rep. Castro, Joaquin [D-TX-20], Rep. Rivas, Luz M. [D-CA-29], Rep. Lieu, Ted [D-CA-36], Rep. Taylor, David J. [R-OH-2], Rep. Lofgren, Zoe [D-CA-18], Rep. Meng, Grace [D-NY-6], Rep. Levin, Mike [D-CA-49], Rep. Moulton, Seth [D-MA-6], Rep. Lee, Susie [D-NV-3], Rep. McClintock, Tom [R-CA-5], Rep. Fong, Vince [R-CA-20], Rep. Cisneros, Gilbert Ray [D-CA-31], Rep. Tonko, Paul [D-NY-20], Rep. Simon, Lateefah [D-CA-12]

Recent Actions

• 2025-12-18: Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.
• 2025-12-18: Introduced in House
• 2025-12-18: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

• Advancing Readiness, Military Exchange, and National Integration with Armenia Security Partnership Act Security Partnership Act — issued 2025-12-18 — PDF (4 pages)