ANCA: Spotlight on 2016 Congressional Races in the Eastern U.S.

(ARMENIAN WEEKLY) Below is a list of the Armenian National Committee of America’s (ANCA) key endorsements for the 2016 Congressional races in the Eastern United States. For a full and extensive list of the ANCA’s Congressional grades and endorsements, click here.

Senate

Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL) – ANCA Rating: A

Sen. Rubio serves as the chairman of the Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and has been a strong supporter of Armenian American priorities during his tenure in the Senate.  Sen. Rubio is a cosponsor of S. Res. 140, the Armenian Genocide Resolution, and co-signed a letter to President Obama in March 2015 asking him to properly recognize the Armenian Genocide.  On April 10, 2014, Sen. Rubio voted for passage of S. Res. 410, the Armenian Genocide resolution, in the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

Sen. Mark Kirk (R-IL) – ANCA Rating: A+

Sen. Kirk was elected to the Senate in 2010 and occupies the seat once held by President Obama.  Prior to his election to the Senate, he served for 10 years in the House of Representatives and co-chaired the Congressional Armenian Caucus for one term.  A member of the powerful Senate Appropriations Committee, Sen. Kirk serves on the Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs which is responsible for foreign aid allocations to Armenia and Nagorno-Karabagh (Artsakh/NKR).  During his six years on this subcommittee, Sen. Kirk has been the lead Senator on ensuring that Armenia and Nagorno-Karabagh received fair amounts of foreign assistance.  Sen. Kirk is the lead sponsor of S. Res. 140, the Armenian Genocide Resolution.

Rep. Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) – ANCA Rating: A-

Rep. Van Hollen is running for the seat occupied by Sen. Barbara Mikulski who is retiring.  Since his election to the House in 2002, Rep. Van Hollen has maintained strong ties with his Armenian American constituents in his suburban Washington, DC congressional district.  Rep. Van Hollen is a cosponsor of H. Res. 154, the Armenian Genocide Truth and Justice Resolution, and in April 2015, co-signed a letter to President Obama asking him to properly recognize the Armenian Genocide.  In 2016, he co-signed a letter to the chair and ranking member of the Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations and Related Programs of the House Appropriations Committee calling for increased aid to Armenia and Nagorno-Karabagh.  Rep. Van Hollen also co-signed the Royce-Engel letter regarding pro-peace initiatives in Nagorno-Karabagh.

Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY) – ANCA Rating: A

Sen. Schumer is seeking a fourth term in the Senate, and since his election in 1998, has been an ardent support of the Armenian American community in New York.  He is a cosponsor of S. Res. 140, the Armenian Genocide Resolution.  Sen. Schumer attends the annual Knights of Vartan commemoration of the Armenian Genocide in Times Square where he calls for an end to denial of the Genocide.

Sen. Pat Leahy (D-VT) – ANCA Rating: B

As a member of the powerful Senate Appropriations Committee, Sen. Leahy serves as the Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs which is responsible for foreign aid allocations to Armenia and Nagorno-Karabagh.  He is a champion of de-mining initiatives and his support for this program has allowed for continued funding for de-mining in Nagorno-Karabagh by The HALO Trust.  In August 2012, he met with constituent and New York Times best-selling author Chris Bohjalian who presented the senator with a copy of his epic on the Armenian Genocide, “The Sandcastle Girls.”

Russ Feingold (D-WI)

In a rematch of their 2010 race, former senator Russ Feingold seeks to reclaim the seat he lost to Sen. Ron Johnson (R-WI).  During his three terms in the Senate between 1992 and 2010, Sen. Feingold consistently supported issues of concern to the Armenian American community.  As a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, in July 2010, Sen. Feingold submitted written questions to Matthew Bryza, the nominee to be ambassador to Azerbaijan, regarding Armenian cultural sites, press freedom, and freedom of speech in Azerbaijan.  Sen. Feingold consistently cosponsored Armenian Genocide legislation.

House of Representatives

Rep. Robert Dold (R-IL-10) – ANCA Rating: A+

The 2016 election in Illinois’ 10^th district is a rematch of the 2012 and 2014 races, with Brad Schneider very narrowly defeating first term Congressman Robert Dold in 2012 and Rep. Dold reclaiming the seat in 2014. During the 114th Congress, Rep. Dold has served as one of the Republican co-chairs of the Congressional Armenian Caucus.  In March 2015, he introduced H. Res. 154, the Armenian Genocide Truth and Justice Resolution.  He has spoken passionately at the annual Armenian Genocide Observance on Capitol Hill.  In April 2015, he co-signed a letter to President Obama asking him to properly recognize the Armenian Genocide.  He spearheaded the March 2015 and March 2016 letters to the chair and ranking member of the Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations and Related Programs of the House Appropriations Committee calling for increased aid to Armenia and Nagorno-Karabagh.  Rep. Dold also co-signed the Royce-Engel regarding pro-peace initiatives in Nagorno-Karabagh and the Royce-Sherman letter calling for the implementation of the proposals.

Rep. David Cicilline (D-RI-1) – ANCA Rating: A+

First elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 2010, Rep. Cicilline has championed a broad range of Armenian American concerns.  He is a cosponsor of H. Res. 154, the Armenian Genocide Truth and Justice Resolution, and has also been an outspoken advocate for self-determination for the people of Nagorno-Karabagh and has attended several commemorative events regarding both issues on Capitol Hill.  Since his years as Mayor of Providence, he has fostered close ties with Providence Armenian community.  In April 2015, he co-signed a letter to President Obama asking him to properly recognize the Armenian Genocide.  In March 2015 and March 2016, he co-signed letters to the chair and ranking member of the Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations and Related Programs of the House Appropriations Committee calling for increased aid to Armenia and Nagorno-Karabagh.  Rep. Cicilline also co-signed the Royce-Engel letter regarding pro-peace initiatives in Nagorno-Karabagh and the Royce-Sherman letter calling for the implementation of the proposals.  In April, 2014, Rep. Cicilline traveled to Armenia as part of a House Foreign Affairs Committee CODEL, visiting the Armenian Genocide memorial.

Rep. Frank Pallone (D-NJ-6) – ANCA Rating: A+

As founder and a Democratic Co-Chair of the Congressional Armenian Caucus, Rep. Pallone has been a leading voice on Armenian American issues in Congress since 1988.  He has been a consistent cosponsor of Armenian Genocide legislation.  Working with his colleagues, he has initiated calls for expanded U.S. assistance to Armenia and Nagorno-Karabagh and spoken out about the plight of Armenians and other Christians in the Middle East.  He has been a perennial participant at Armenian American community events, including the Armenian Genocide Observance at Times Square.  In 2015, he joined with the local Armenian American community in Monmouth County for the opening of an Armenian Genocide exhibit on the campus of Brookdale Community College.  On April 24, 2015, Rep. Pallone was in Armenia for the centennial commemorative events as part of the official U.S. delegation.  In April 2015, he co-signed a letter to President Obama asking him to properly recognize the Armenian Genocide.   He spearheaded the March 2015 and March 2016 letters to the chair and ranking member of the Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations and Related Programs of the House Appropriations Committee calling for increased aid to Armenia and Nagorno-Karabagh.  Rep. Pallone also co-signed the Royce-Engel letter regarding pro-peace initiatives in Nagorno-Karabagh and the Royce-Sherman letter calling for the implementation of the proposals.

Rep. Katherine Clark (D-MA-5) – ANCA Rating: A+

Elected in November 2013 to fill the vacancy created by Rep. Ed Markey’s election to the Senate, Rep. Clark has forged strong bonds with the local Armenian American community – the largest in the Eastern United States.  Rep. Clark is a cosponsor of H. Res. 154, the Armenian Genocide Truth and Justice Resolution, and in April 2015, co-signed a letter to President Obama asking him to properly recognize the Armenian Genocide.   In 2015 and 2016, she issued statements for the Congressional Record on the 1988 – 1990 pogroms against Armenians in Sumgait and Baku, and also signed both letters to the chair and ranking member of the Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations and Related Programs of the House Appropriations Committee calling for increased aid to Armenia and Nagorno-Karabagh.  Rep. Clark also co-signed the Royce-Engel letter regarding pro-peace initiatives in Nagorno-Karabagh and the Royce-Sherman letter asking for the implementation of the proposals.

Rep. Jim McGovern (D-MA-2) – ANCA Rating: A+

Rep. McGovern serves as the Democratic Co-Chair of the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission and has been a principled voice for truth regarding Congressional reaffirmation of the Armenian Genocide, among the broad array of international human rights concerns he champions.  In September 2016, he chaired a Commission hearing on human rights violations in Azerbaijan.  Rep. McGovern is a cosponsor of H. Res. 154, the Armenian Genocide Truth and Justice Resolution, and in April 2015, co-signed a letter to President Obama asking him to properly recognize the Armenian Genocide.  In 2015 and 2016, he signed both letters to the chair and ranking member of the Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations and Related Programs of the House Appropriations Committee calling for increased aid to Armenia and Nagorno-Karabagh.  Rep. McGovern also co-signed the Royce-Engel letter regarding pro-peace initiatives in Nagorno-Karabagh and the Royce-Sherman letter asking for the implementation of the proposals.  Rep. McGovern represents one of the oldest Armenian American communities, Worcester, MA, which is the home of the first Armenian Church in the United States.

Rep. John Sarbanes (D-MD-3) – ANCA Rating: A+

Like his father before him in the Senate, Rep. Sarbanes has been a consistent and outspoken leader on Armenian and Hellenic American issues, advocating for recognition of the Armenian Genocide.  In April 2015, Rep. Sarbanes spoke eloquently on the House floor in honor of the centennial commemorations stating, “this year, I will resist the temptation to mark the anniversary of the Armenian genocide with anger and frustration at the lack of official recognition from those who should know better; rather, I will draw strength from the conviction that the arc of the moral universe will ultimately bend toward justice, toward the eternal memory of those who perished in this undeniable tragedy of history.”  Rep. Sarbanes is a cosponsor of H. Res. 154, the Armenian Genocide Truth and Justice Resolution, and in April 2015, co-signed a letter to President Obama asking him to properly recognize the Armenian Genocide.  In 2015 and 2016, he signed both letters to the chair and ranking member of the Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations and Related Programs of the House Appropriations Committee calling for increased aid to Armenia and Nagorno-Karabagh.  Rep. Sarbanes also co-signed the Royce-Engel letter regarding pro-peace initiatives in Nagorno-Karabagh and the Royce-Sherman letter asking for the implementation of the proposals.

Rep. Gus Bilirakis (R-FL-12) – ANCA Rating: A+

As the Republican Co-Chair of the Congressional Hellenic Caucus, Rep. Bilirakis is a cosponsor of H. Res. 154, the Armenian Genocide Truth and Justice Resolution, and in April 2015, co-signed a letter to President Obama asking him to properly recognize the Armenian Genocide.  In 2016, he co-signed a letter to the chair and ranking member of the Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations and Related Programs of the House Appropriations Committee calling for increased aid to Armenia and Nagorno-Karabagh.  Rep. Bilirakis also co-signed the Royce-Engel letter regarding pro-peace initiatives in Nagorno-Karabagh and the Royce-Sherman letter asking for the implementation of the proposals.  He has been a passionate voice for justice at the annual Capitol Hill commemoration of the Armenian Genocide.  In April 2016, Rep. Bilirakis joined calls for suspending aid to Azerbaijan in light of President Aliyev’s brutal onslaught on Nagorno-Karabagh.

Rep. Jim Langevin (D-RI-2) – ANCA Rating: A+

Rep. Langevin, along with the entire Rhode Island congressional delegation, has been a very strong supporter of issues of concern to the Armenian American community.  He has cosponsored H. Res. 154, the Armenian Genocide Truth and Justice Resolution.  In April 2015, he co-signed a letter to President Obama asking him to properly recognize the Armenian Genocide.  In 2015 and 2016, he signed both letters to the chair and ranking member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations and Related Programs calling for increased aid to Armenia and Nagorno-Karabagh.  Rep. Langevin also co-signed the Royce-Engel letter regarding pro-peace initiatives in Nagorno-Karabagh and the Royce-Sherman letter asking for the implementation of the proposals.  In April 2016, Rep. Langevin called Azerbaijan’s violation of the ceasefire in Nagorno-Karabagh “reckless.”  He enjoys close ties with the Rhode Island Armenian community, often attending local events.

Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ-4) – ANCA Rating: A+

As chair of the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe (Helsinki Commission) and a senior member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, Rep. Smith is a leading Republican cosponsor of H. Res. 154, the Armenian Genocide Truth and Justice Resolution.  Rep. Smith has been outspoken in condemning Armenian Genocide denial, chairing a Helsinki Commission hearing on the Armenian Genocide on April 23, 2015 with testimony provided by ANCA Chairman Ken Hachikian and ANC of NJ chairwoman Karine Shnorhokian.  In 2015, he joined with the local Armenian American community in Monmouth County for the opening of an Armenian Genocide exhibit on the campus of Brookdale Community College, and in April 2015, submitted a statement for the Congressional Record regarding genocide denial and co-signed a letter to President Obama asking him to properly recognize the Armenian Genocide.  In October 2015, Rep. Smith co-signed the Royce-Engel letter regarding pro-peace initiatives in Nagorno-Karabagh.

Rep. Eliot Engel (D-NY-16) – ANCA Rating: A+

As the Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, Rep. Engel has been at the forefront of special issues of concern to the Armenian American community, particularly for the self-determination of the people of Nagorno-Karabagh.  He joined with Chairman Ed Royce (R-CA) of the House Foreign Affairs Committee to spearhead a letter to Amb. James Warlick, cosigned by 85 House colleagues, offering three common sense proposals for Artsakh peace.  In March 2016, he co-signed the Royce-Sherman letter asking for the implementation of the proposals.  He is a cosponsor of H. Res. 154, the Armenian Genocide Truth and Justice Resolution, and has been a consistent participant at annual Armenian Genocide Observances on Capitol Hill.

Rep. Niki Tsongas (D-MA-3) – ANCA Rating: A+

Rep. Tsongas has cosponsored H. Res. 154, the Armenian Genocide Truth and Justice Resolution, and in April 2015, she co-signed a letter to President Obama asking him to properly recognize the Armenian Genocide.  Rep. Tsongas co-signed the Royce-Engel letter regarding pro-peace initiatives in Nagorno-Karabagh and the Royce-Sherman letter asking for the implementation of the proposals.   In April 2015, she offered remarks on the House floor dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide.  Rep. Tsongas has forged strong ties with her Armenian American constituents in the Merrimack Valley, and has attended the annual Capitol Hill Commemoration of the Armenian Genocide.

Rep. Scott Garrett (R-NJ-5) – ANCA Rating: A

Rep. Garrett has cosponsored H. Res. 154, the Armenian Genocide Truth and Justice Resolution, and maintains a robust relationship with the Northern New Jersey Armenian American community.  He regularly submits statements to the Congressional Record on the Armenian Genocide and has attended the Capitol Hill Commemoration condemning this crime.  Rep. Garrett co-signed the Royce-Engel letter regarding pro-peace initiatives in Nagorno-Karabagh and the Royce-Sherman letter asking for the implementation of the proposals.  In September 2016, he submitted a statement to the Congressional Record on the 25th anniversary of Armenia’s independence.

Rep. Dave Trott (R-MI-11) – ANCA Rating: A+

Serving his first term in the House of Representatives, Rep. Trott represents the largest number of Armenian Americans in the state of Michigan.  On April 24, 2015, Rep. Trott was in Armenia for the centennial commemorative events as part of the official U.S. delegation.  In April 2015, he co-signed a letter to President Obama asking him to properly recognize the Armenian Genocide.  Rep. Trott also co-signed the Royce-Engel letter regarding pro-peace initiatives in Nagorno-Karabagh and the Royce-Sherman letter asking for the implementation of the proposals.  Rep. Trott serves as the republican vice-chair of the Congressional Armenian Caucus.

Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-IL-9) – ANCA Rating: A

Rep. Schakowsky has cosponsored H. Res. 154, the Armenian Genocide Truth and Justice Resolution.  In April 2015, she co-signed a letter to President Obama asking him to properly recognize the Armenian Genocide.  In 2015 and 2016, she co-signed both letters to the chair and ranking member of the Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations and Related Programs of the House Appropriations Committee calling for increased aid to Armenia and Nagorno-Karabagh.  Rep. Schakowsky also co-signed the Royce-Engel letter regarding pro-peace initiatives in Nagorno-Karabagh and the Royce-Sherman letter asking for the implementation of the proposals.

Rep. Kathleen Rice (D-NY-4) – ANCA Rating: B

A first term member of the House, Rep. Rice represents Nassau County.  Rep. Rice is a member of the Congressional Armenian Caucus, cosponsor of H. Res. 154, the Armenian Genocide Truth and Justice Resolution, and co-signed the Royce-Engel letter regarding pro-peace initiatives in Nagorno-Karabagh.

Rep. Paul Tonko (D-NY-20) – ANCA Rating: A-

First elected in 2008, Rep. Tonko has developed strong ties with the local Armenian American community in upstate New York.  Rep. Tonko is a cosponsor of H. Res. 154, the Armenian Genocide Truth and Justice Resolution, and in April 2015, co-signed a letter to President Obama asking him to properly recognize the Armenian Genocide.  Rep. Tonko also co-signed the Royce-Engel letter regarding pro-peace initiatives in Nagorno-Karabagh and the Royce-Sherman letter asking for the implementation of the proposals.

Rep. John Yarmuth (D-KY-3) – ANCA Rating: B-

Rep. Yarmuth is a cosponsor of H. Res. 154, the Armenian Genocide Truth and Justice Resolution and has forged ties with the Kentucky Armenian community in his district.

Rep. Bettie McCollum (D-MN-4) – ANCA Rating: A

Rep. McCollum is a cosponsor of H. Res. 154, the Armenian Genocide Truth and Justice Resolution, and in April 2015, co-signed a letter to President Obama asking him to properly recognize the Armenian Genocide.  Rep. McCollum also co-signed the Royce-Engel regarding pro-peace initiatives in Nagorno-Karabagh and the Royce-Sherman letter asking for the implementation of the proposals.  In 2015 and 2016, she submitted statements for the Congressional Record on the Armenian Genocide.

Rep. Dave Brat (R-VA-7) – ANCA Rating: A+

Serving his first term in the House, Rep. Brat has developed strong relations with the Armenian American community of Richmond.  Rep. Brat is a cosponsor of H. Res. 154, the Armenian Genocide Truth and Justice Resolution, and in April 2015, co-signed a letter to President Obama asking him to properly recognize the Armenian Genocide.  Rep. Brat also co-signed the Royce-Engel letter regarding pro-peace initiatives in Nagorno-Karabagh.  In 2015 and 2016, he participated in the Capitol Hill commemorations of the Armenian Genocide.

Rep. Don Beyer (D-VA-8) – ANCA Rating: B+

Serving his first term in the House, Rep. Beyer co-signed the Royce-Engel letter regarding pro-peace initiatives in Nagorno-Karabagh and the Royce-Sherman letter asking for the implementation of the proposals.