Sen. Lindsey Graham knew Armenian Genocide resolution 'would pass overwhelmingly' after Trump-Erdogan meeting – Elizbeth Chouldjian  

During his press conference with US President Donald Trump, Turkey’s President Erdogan chastised the US House of Representatives near-unanimous decision to adopt a clear and unequivocal policy of Armenian Genocide recognition and looked to the Senate to force continued US complicity in Turkey’s Genocide denial, Elizbeth Chouldjian, Communications Director at the Armenian National Committee of America ANCA) said Thursday, commenting on Senator Lindsey Graham’s move to block the passage of the Armenian Genocide Resolution by the upper house of Congress.

“Senator Menendez challenged that gambit by calling for a ‘unanimous consent’ vote on the resolution. It’s a technique to immediately force a resolution to the Senate floor – but requires that no one oppose the measure. Senator Menendez took this route because he knows – as does the ANCA – that if this resolution were allowed to come to the floor – it would pass overwhelmingly. Sen. Graham knew that too and opposed the measure not because, according to him, he questions the facts of the Armenain Genocide, but questions the “timing” of the resolution.

“Armenians have heard the “bad timing” argument for over 100 years now. It essentially allows a foreign government – in this case Turkey, an unrepentant perpetrator of genocide, to decide when the U.S. speaks honestly about the Armenian Genocide. The US House, with its powerful vote, said “America should decide.” We are working with Senator Menendez and over 25 of his Senate colleagues to ensure the Senate has the opportunity to say the same thing,” she said.

Asked to comment on the ANCA’s future steps, Chouldjian cited the nationwide call to action to encourage Armenian-Americans and all the supporters of the cause to their Senators and secure their support for the Armenian Genocide resolution. “. Just in the past day – during Erdogan’s visit to Washington DC - 4 new Senators shared their support for the Armenian Genocide Resolution – Sen. Bennet (Colorado), Sen. Casey of Pennsylvania and both Nevada Senators – Sen. Rosen and Sen. Cortez Masto. We need to continue build on that momentum and increase the pressure on the leadership to secure a vote.”

Asked how they would characterize the move by the House of Representatives to eventually pass Resolution H.Res.206 condemning the Armenian Genocide, Chouldjian said they treat it as a powerful turning point marking a historic movement. “This was a powerful way to challenge over 100 years of Senate complicity in Turkey’s Genocide denial. The Senate remains the only federal legislative body that has not spoken unequivocally on this matter. No one has given Erdogan a vote in the U.S. Senate – it’s time he realized that,” she added.