Washington, D.C. – Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer today released the following statement in response to the Senate approving the unanimous consent request brought forward by Senator Bob Menendez (D-NJ) recognizing the Armenian genocide. In October, the House passed a version of this resolution by a vote of 405-11:
“I am proud to champion the long overdue passage of this resolution to formalize full American recognition of the Armenian genocide. The Senate’s passage of the bipartisan Armenian genocide resolution was shamefully blocked by Senate Republicans three times at the behest of the White House for cynical reasons. Now, it is urgent that President Trump drop his unseemly obeisance to Mr. Erdogan on this matter and express his support for the resolution. It is our sacred duty to speak out against the genocidal terrors of the past, and for those victims who cannot speak themselves. I applaud my colleague, Senator Bob Menendez, for his relentless and steadfast commitment to gaining the approval of the United States Congress.”
The Armenian Genocide Resolution (S.Res.150) establishes, as a matter of U.S. policy, 1) the rejection of Armenian Genocide denial, 2) ongoing official U.S. government recognition and remembrance of this crime, and 3) support for education about the Armenian Genocide in order to help prevent modern-day atrocities.
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